Laughter is the best medicine -- unless you're diabetic, then insulin comes pretty high on the list.
-- Comedian Jasper Carrott
In December -- when I had surgery for an infection in my foot -- a doctor at the hospital put me on insulin for my diabetes.
Even though I had been prescribed a high protein meal plan, the hospital's dietary staff fed me a low-fat plan that included things like rolls, French toast and pasta. The meal would raise my blood glucose level and the nurse would give me insulin to lower it. It was a vicious cycle.
Although the doctor gave me a prescription, I did not continue taking insulin. But I do take two oral medications and try to eat better to help lower my blood sugar.
My prescription was for an insulin pen. They make self injecting easier, and the one-use needles, which are a separate prescription, are only about a half-inch long. After putting the needle on the pen, you just turn the dial on the handle to the prescribed dose, stick the needle in your upper arm, leg or stomach, and press the button. It seems to be a pretty easy process overall.
But once we've pricked a finger to check our blood sugar, or injected our insulin or medication, what do we do with the sharp stuff? It's basically medical waste.
According to the website of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the things we use to stick ourselves are called sharps. They're devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin. Examples include needles, syringes, insulin pens and lancets, which are the "fingerstick" devices for testing blood sugar levels.
The FDA prefers we use containers it has approved to dispose of medical waste. They are often sold through pharmacies and medical supply companies, or online.
I use a Walgreens pharmacy, so I contacted Scott Goldberg, the senior manager of media relations for the company, and asked if they sold a disposal product.
He said Walgreens sells a hard plastic container that's called a "complete needle collection and disposal system" that will hold up to 300 pen needles, but not nearly as many syringes. It costs less than $7, and the package contains information on mailing the product to a disposal facility via the U.S. Postal Service.
The Arkansas Department of Health says that if your community has a collection program, follow its directions, using the correct type of container. If there is no local program, the "Guidelines for Safe Management & Disposal of Household-Generated Needles and Sharps" on the department website (tinyurl.com/gl2kwea) should be followed. It includes three steps:
• Accumulation. Thick plastic puncture-resistant containers, such as those used for liquid detergent or fabric softener, should be used to accumulate and temporarily store the sharps. The container must have a cap or lid that can be tightly secured. Disinfect and dispose of the container when it's two-thirds full.
• Disinfection. The process approved by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency is soaking the contaminated needles and sharps in a solution of one part hypochlorite bleach to no more than 10 parts water for at least 10 minutes.
Sodium hypochlorite is the main ingredient in liquid laundry bleach.
The solution should cover all the contents completely. After soaking, the liquid can be strained into a sink or toilet. It must be drained before you dispose of the container and its sharps.
• Disposal. After disinfection, the container should be securely closed before double bagging for disposal as regular solid waste. But if you use a red biohazard bag or container, do not put it out with your normal household garbage. Dispose of it through a collection program.
For more information go to healthy.Arkansas.gov and look in the environmental section or do a search for "sharps disposal."
Email me at:
rboggs@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 07/18/2016