Insulin - the perfect means by which live many millions of patients. For treatment to be effective, you must adhere to certain rules and methods for the introduction of the drug. The use of this drug differs need precise dosage, which should not only be properly calculated endocrinologist, and punctual flow into the human body. Therefore, a patient suffering from diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease   insulin-dependent type, who want to receive insulin, primarily teach rules of administration.

Proper insulin

Insulin normally administered subcutaneously. To prevent the development of complications of lipodystrophy recommended injection sites regularly change, bearing in mind that this may vary considerably glyukozosnizhayuschy effect of insulin. It is recommended to follow a certain scheme, introducing a drug, for example, in the stomach in the morning, in the afternoon in the shoulder and in the evening in the thigh. Simple injected insulin is usually in the abdomen, and prolonged in the thigh or upper arm. At the same place the next injection should be at least one centimeter from the previous one.

The insulin solution should be administered at room temperature. Warm absorbed quickly, and cold - slowly. As well as a general rise in temperature, or hypothermia. Massage the injection site increases the absorption of insulin, so it is recommended to make regular massage or no to do.

Methods of insulin administration

• Syringe - the first tool for the administration of insulin. The first syringes were made of metal, with a glass tuba and removable needles. They were not very comfortable, since even the smallest syringe not accurately enter believes the dosage had to constantly sterilize syringes and needles - sharpened.

In place of such disposable syringes come - plastic, transparent, or welded with a removable needle and dividing into insulin units, a volume of 0 3 to 2 ml, with the possibility of introduction of one hundred units action.

Syringes are used for injection of one type of insulin and for the introduction mixtures thereof, while observing certain rules, as some insulins can communicate with each other, changing its chemical-physical properties.

• Pen replaced the plastic syringe. They look like an ordinary pen, and provide a higher quality of life for patients. Needles in their small, thin, significantly reduces pain from the injection. Pen can be carried in a pocket or bag, it will be appreciated by all patients, leading an active lifestyle. The dose is set by a special snapping mechanism, one mouse which is usually half or a whole unit of insulin action. Different companies release their pen, often interchangeable cartridges to these pens fit only a certain kind of thing to consider when purchasing. Some pen have transparent windows through which the homogeneity of the drug which is to track and amount. Injection pens are very convenient for the visually impaired patients.

• Insulin pump The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives   They called insulin pumps, and still provide continuous subcutaneous insulin using a special catheter, which is placed under the patient's skin, connected to a reservoir of insulin and a memory unit containing information concerning the scheme administration. Dispensers have small dimensions and are attached to the patient's body so as not to interfere with its movements.

Submission of insulin can be produced in many different ways - and intermittent background and allows you to choose the appropriate mode for each person individually. We must remember that the insulin doser only introduces the program, calculate the dose should be the patient himself. We must not forget that this is a mechanism that can break, so within walking distance must be instruments that provide alternative methods of insulin administration.

Svetlana Shimkovich

  Scleroderma - a rare, progressive systemic disease characterized by lesions of the connective tissue and seal skin. Localized scleroderma affects only the skin. Systemic scleroderma is also harmful to internal organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys and organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Scleroderma can occur in any person at any time and in any geographical area. Nevertheless, scleroderma affects women more often than men, and the victims of the disease are women aged 30 to 50 years. Scleroderma is not considered an infectious disease, but it can cause significant discomfort and adversely affect the self-esteem, making it difficult to lead a full life.

Symptoms of scleroderma

Symptoms of scleroderma may be different, depending on which organ systems affected. Diagnosis is difficult because some of the early symptoms are often found in healthy people, and not always directly related to scleroderma. The most common symptoms of scleroderma include:

• Raynaud's syndrome (vibrobolezn). Excessive reaction to low temperature or emotional turmoil. It is characterized by narrowing of the small blood vessels of the upper and lower extremities and causes numbness, pain or discoloration of the skin of the fingers and toes.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition to acid reflux, which can cause damage to close to the stomach portion of the esophagus arises malabsorption of nutrients (this happens when the muscle is not pushed food through the intestines).
• Changes in the skin. These changes may include the swelling of fingers, some thickening of the skin. The skin is stretched and acquires luster, while the movement of the muscles of the affected area may be limited (there is stiffness).

Localized (Alopecia) scleroderma

There are two types of localized scleroderma, depending on the specific symptoms:

• Annular (patchy) scleroderma. It is characterized by the appearance of dense, ivory with burgundy "border" wax plaques on the skin without internal sclerosis. These plaques may eventually disappear on their own, but the process is slow (three to five years). Plaques may be concentrated in one place or spread throughout the body. After the disappearance of plaque in their place remain areas of darkened skin.
• Linear scleroderma. Characterized by strip-seal and blanching of the skin, usually on the forehead, hands and feet; It is most common in children. Linear scleroderma often affects only one side of the body.

The first symptom of focal scleroderma - is Raynaud's syndrome, and other characteristic symptoms can appear only a few years.

Systemic scleroderma

Systemic scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) affects not only the skin, but also the blood vessels and internal organs. Subcategory systemic sclerosis defined lesion. One type of systemic sclerosis - Syndrome Tiberzha-Veysenbaha combining calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dyskinesia, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia.

In systemic scleroderma Systemic scleroderma - a serious disease of the connective tissue   skin changes can be sudden and progressively worsen over the first two years of the disease. Later changes are slowed down and sometimes even disappear on their own, without medical intervention.

Causes of Scleroderma

Scleroderma is caused by excessive production of collagen and accumulation in tissues. Collagen - a protein involved in the synthesis of tissue, including skin. Although it is not known exactly what causes excessive production of collagen, it is believed that it is related to the immune system The immune system - how it works? .

Risk Factors for Scleroderma

There are several factors that increase the risk of scleroderma:

• Sex

Women scleroderma occurs four times more often than men.

• External factors

The development of scleroderma may affect a variety of external factors, including:

• Quartz dust (at coal mines and quarries).
• Some industrial solvents such as solvents for a paint.
• Some chemotherapy drugs Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair? .