Health Tips for November 21

Health Tip: Storing Your Insulin

Diabetics must not only take their insulin correctly, they also need to make sure that it's stored properly.

The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions:

• Never store insulin in the freezer. It clumps at temperatures below 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Any insulin that won't be used in a month or less should be stored in the refrigerator.
• Insulin that you are currently using can be stored at room temperature (no higher than 86 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to a month.
• Check the color and consistency of your insulin before you use it. Rapid- and short-acting insulin should be clear, and intermediate-acting insulin should be cloudy, but never with large clumps floating in it.
• Never use insulin that is past its expiration date.

Health Tip: Living With an Insulin Pump

An insulin pump offers many benefits for diabetics, including better blood glucose control and greater convenience.

The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions while getting used to your pump:

• Take your insulin at the same time each day.
• Carry an extra insulin pen or additional insulin with you when traveling.
• Talk to a dietitian about how to adjust your diet when you start using the pump.
• When you turn off your pump, devise a way to remind yourself to turn it back on.
• Regularly record and review all of your information, including blood glucose levels, carbohydrates, corrective doses and exercise.