Are you afraid of needles when taking insulin for diabetes? Then let's learn about this new method (Jet Insulin Injector)!

If you have diabetes, you know how important the hormone insulin is to our bodies. Simply put, it is this friend called insulin that helps us move the sugar, or glucose, from the food we eat into our body's cells. A person with diabetes may not be able to produce enough insulin, or the insulin they do produce may not work properly. So, they have to take insulin from outside to control their blood sugar levels. Many people use regular insulin shots or insulin pens for this. But both of these have a needle. So, for some, having to prick themselves with a needle every day can be a bit uncomfortable and painful.

So what is this needleless Jet Injector?

Imagine if there was a way for you to inject insulin without using a needle. That's what we call a Jet Insulin Injector . This is a very amazing device. Instead of a needle, it uses air or spring-powered force at very high pressure to push insulin liquid into your body as a thin stream through your skin. It's like a very powerful little water syringe. That same pressure pushes the insulin through the skin and into the tissues. So it doesn't feel like you're being pricked by a needle.

Is this method really effective?

Yes. Research has shown that this jet injector method works very well. It has even been found that it can sometimes be more successful than conventional needle methods.

For example, in a 2017 study, a group of people with Type 2 Diabetes were given this jet injector and a regular insulin pen and compared. It was found that, regardless of the type of insulin, the jet injector was able to control blood sugar and insulin levels better than the regular pen. But there is one thing. In some cases, the jet injector could cause blood sugar levels to drop a little lower than necessary (hypoglycemia). But it was nothing to worry about. They were able to bring it back to normal after eating a small meal.

How to use this?

This jet injector usually consists of two or three parts.

• Spring-powered: This has two parts: the injector, which looks like a large pen, and the disposable syringe.
• Air-powered:It consists of three parts: the injector, the disposable syringe, and a cartridge filled with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.

Using this is very simple.

1. First, you need to draw the correct amount of insulin into the syringe.

2. Then you need to put that syringe into the injector.

3. Now hold the injector at a 90-degree angle, that is, straight, to the area where you will inject insulin (e.g., stomach, arm).

4. Then, when you press the button, the insulin is injected into your body. That's it!

Let's also talk about price and insurance coverage.

Insurance coverage for diabetes equipment varies. You may be able to get insurance coverage for things like test strips, blood glucose monitors, and insulin pens. But it's hard to have high hopes for such coverage for a jet injector.

Insurance companies typically only cover "medically necessary" devices. So, when there are cheaper, more effective options like regular insulin injections, they may not consider this jet injector to be essential. Without insurance, these devices can cost hundreds of dollars, which is a lot of money in Sri Lankan currency.

However, if you are unable to use a splint due to a physical disability, then an insurance company may consider it "medically necessary" and cover it.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this method?

Before deciding which insulin regimen is best for you, it's important to talk to your doctor. When making a decision, it's important to understand the pros and cons of this jet injector.

How to choose an injector?

This is the most important thing. Jet injectors are medical devices. They are not something you can just buy at a pharmacy. Not all devices of this type can inject insulin. Many jet injectors are used in hospitals, especially to give vaccines. For example, for things like the flu vaccine.

So, if you are interested in this type of device, the first thing to do is to talk to your doctor or diabetes specialist about it. There are jet injectors on the market that can deliver insulin, and only your doctor can tell you exactly which model is right for you.