Insulin Pump

The insulin pump mimics pancreas and can help people achieve better control. Insulin pumps are computerized devices, about the size of a pager or call-beeper.
Insulin pump overview

Pumps are usually clipped to the waistband and insulin is stored in the pump and travels to the body through a thin plastic tube called a catheter. On one end the tube is hooked to the pump. With the help of a very small needle, the other end is pushed through the skin into fatty tissue and is taped in place.

Insulin pump mimic pancreas
A pump is constantly dribbling insulin. This is called basal delivery since it forms the “base” of the insulin need. Wear the pump all the time. Can be taken off for about an hour for things like swimming or taking a bath, but otherwise it’s always on. With the help of the health care team, program the pump so it knows how much insulin to dribble and how much to squirt at meal or snack time (This is called a bolus - it’s like an insulin booster). It's important to check the blood glucose level (by glucose monitor) several times a day to make sure the insulin pump and the catheter are working okay.
And, of course, there is a need to make adjustments for hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) that happens accidentally.
If you are interested in an insulin pump, discuss with your health care team and see if they think it would work for you. Some people get the benefit of an insulin pump without an insulin pump. They do this by using both short acting and long-lasting insulin. You may want to ask your doctor about doing this if you decide against a pump.

Insulin pump training

Training for the pump usually involves a one-hour training session with a diabetes educator, and a return visit several days later to set up the pump, set basal rates and administer a bolus, and learn when and how to change the infusion set.
One who going to use the pump should achieve technical competence with the following insulin pump therapy tasks:
  • inserting the diabetes pump cannula
  • delivering a dose of insulin through the pump (bolus)
  • checking diabetes pump memory (time of the last bolus dose)
  • troubleshooting (determine a problem with the diabetes pump) and 
  • replacing batteries.

Advantage of insulin pump

All with type 1 diabetes require insulin from an outside source. To live with diabetes, they must control their blood glucose by balancing food, insulin, and exercise. Insulin can be given by traditional injection, insulin pen, or pump. The pump acts somewhat like (mimic) the pancreas by delivering insulin continuously. The insulin pump has several advantages over other forms of insulin delivery:
  • Precise infusion — Diabetes Pump deliver insulin as little as one tenth of a unit – that can be closely matched to the needs.
  • Easy predictable — Absorption of short-acting insulin, which is used in diabetes pump, is more predictable than that of long-acting insulin.
  • Continuous infusion —Diabetes Pump delivers basal insulin 24 hours a day and also allows the user to change the amount infused on an hourly basis, if necessary.
  • Painless —Diabetes pump holds a supply of insulin for several days and it eliminates the need for scheduled injections since it delivers insulin continuously.
  • Individualized —Diabetes pump can be programmed to meet each person’s needs and is easily adjusted to keep blood glucose levels in the target range during illness or physical activity.
  • Smart Intelligence — Most diabetes pump calculate insulin doses needed based on carbohydrate intake, user’s personal insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and insulin sensitivity factor, and insulin still active in the body from the previous dose.
  • Convenient control —Diabetes pump can be lifesaving for children who have a history of widely fluctuating blood glucose levels. People who use the pump are better able to keep their blood glucose in the target range.
  • Freedom —Diabetes pump gives children more freedom to vary when, what and how much they eat, through the continuous infusion of short-acting insulin and the ability to “cover” with additional doses as needed.

Disadvantages of Insulin pump

  • Uncomfortable - Since the insulin pump needs to be worn most of the time, diabetes pump users need to careful to avoid any damage to diabetes pump. Some users may find that wearing diabetes pump all the time (together with the infusion set tubing) is uncomfortable.
  • Unexpected incidents - An episode of diabetic ketoacidosis(Near complete deficiency of insulin and elevated levels of certain stress hormones combine to cause DKA.) may occur if diabetes pump user does not receive sufficient fast acting insulin for many hours. This can happen if insulin pump battery is discharged, if the insulin reservoir runs empty, the tubing becomes loose or insulin leaks rather than being injected, or if the cannula becomes bent or kinked in the body, preventing delivery. Therefore pump users typically monitor their blood sugars more frequently to evaluate the effectiveness of insulin delivery.
  • Infection - There is also a risk that the insertion site might become irritated or infected. Insulin pump user will have to change the insertion site every two or three days in order to avoid infection.
  • Costly - Since insulin pumps can cost more compare to other insulin delivery systems.

Popular posts from this blog

What is a Diabetic Diet?

You need to start a  diabetic diet  if you currently have diabetes or are concerned that you may be at risk. You can make a big difference in your life by exercising, watching your weight and eating healthy. Eating healthy comes down to these three things: What, when and how much you eat. Carbohydrates Even though they have a huge affect on your sugar levels, you don’t need to avoid them. You simply have to be aware about the types of carbohydrates you’re having and learn how to balance them in your diabetic diet. Simple vs. Complex Carbs include the simple sugars as well as complex fibers and starches. The body converts the carbohydrates into glucose which your body needs for fuel. •        Simple carbs: These include fruit in addition to certain vegetables. But simple carbs also include those found in refined and processed foods that have little or no nutritional value. Some of these are candy, soda, snack foods and also white products like white rice and white flour. •        Comple
Read more

Diet For Diabetes Mellitus

Now, We will try to explain about how to manage the diet for Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that characterised by hyperglycaemia, whether it is cause by deficiency of insulin in the human body or diminished effectiveness of insulin it self. There are many cases why the insulin become inactive and hence induces hyperglycaemia, for example due to over production of other hormones which are antagonistic to Insulin such as glucagon, hormones of the pituitary, adrenaline and thyroid. Also due to increased production of substances which inactivate insulin (insulinase and insulin antagonists present in plasma. The disease is chronic and affects the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, fat, water and electrolytes. Diabetic Diet for diabetics patient is simply a balanced healthy diet which is vital for diabetic treatment, but sometime many people are they don't understand that these diet consist only diabetic foods. Diabetes mellitus is often found to be associated wit
Read more

Checking Blood Sugar Levels

If you are a diabetic then checking blood sugar levels is a vital part of your daily regimen. It is important regardless of which form of diabetes you may have but especially so if you are suffering from Type 1 diabetes. This is because in Type 1 diabetes you need to furnish the correct amount of insulin yourself as the body is no longer capable of performing this function. Glucose is our body’s main fuel supply. However, if there is too much or not enough glucose in your blood it can have a negative impact on the body. This is why it is so important for a diabetic to monitor blood sugar levels. Symptoms of High Blood Sugar If a test reveals there is too much sugar in the blood you can develop hyperglycemia. In someone without diabetes, the hormone insulin helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, diabetics aren’t that lucky so having too much or not enough sugar can spell trouble because their bodies stopped producing insulin, stopped producing enough of it or their bod
Read more