Insulin Pumps – Get Better Control, Get Your Life Back!
In recent years an way to manual insulin injections has emerged. Enter the Insulin Pump. The first Insulin Pumps were quite bulky, but modern ones are about the size of a little Cellphone or Pager. The pump is worn unobtrusively on a belt or in a pocket and it delivers insulin by means of a thin plastic tube (or Infusion Set) that is inserted under the skin.
WHY AN INSULIN PUMP IS BETTER
In a healthy person, the pancreas makes insulin always at low levels, keeping blood glucose levels steady. When a meal is eaten, the pancreas will send larger numbers of insulin into the blood stream to handle the food. Using a standard injection regime, slow and rapid acting insulin is used to try and mimic the pancreas. An insulin pump much more nearly copies the pancreas. The pump delivers a low level of environment insulin (called basal) and at meal times can deliver a “bolus” dose at the touch of a button, to cover the food.
Just such as a real pancreas, if you are ill, or exercising, the basal insulin rate can be decreased. If you omit a meal, the bolus is not delivered. In this way, the pump fits into your form of living, in place of planning your life around your injection schedule!
CHOOSING AN INSULIN PUMP
Most insulin pumps on the market today have all the basic characteristic. selecting one
is much like chosing a Cellphone, it is a mixture of personal taste and what you
plan on using it for. If you are a water sports fan, watertight ones field available!
If you love analysing data to improve your control, you can get one with computer download
capability and research software. If you are new to the world of Insulin Pumps,
here are a few key points to think about:
- Choose a pump that facilitates you to establish different basal levels. let’s say at night time, if you are sick or exercising. This is a crucial feature to assist you live a full life.
- Pumps that use a standard “Luer Lock” infusion sets are better. This signifies cheaper consumables.
- Alerts to bring to mind you to verify your blood glucose level make life easier.
- Check what batteries it takes, standard AA or AAAs are cheaper and easier to pay for.
- More advanced pumps include a carbohydrate calculator to assist you understand what your meal Bolus dose should be.
- Coming to the market are integrated Insulin Pump/Glucose meters. The meters readings are instantly transferred to the pump which can utilize them to suggest an insulin dose.
Other characteristic to seek for include, being waterproof, having a carbohydrate food database and alerts to warn you if you have missed a meal, or the infusion set requires changing. in a while, Insulin pump manufacturers are making
their products ever easier to use and automating more and more attributes. Life is getting better for diabetics!
FREQUENTLY inquired QUESTIONS
Q What if I do not get on with the pump, can I switch back to injections?
A Yes. It is not a one way ticket, but most people do notice an improvement in their blood glucose control and find their lives improved.
Q I have a undoubtedly hectic form of living, is a pump for me?
A Yes. Infact people who are highly busy often see the largest improvement. If you struggle to remind to test and inject at the proper time – maybe meal times vary from day to day, then a pump could undoubtedly help you.
Q I am considering a pump but may get pregnant, is that ok?
A Yes. As pumps frequently improve your blood glucose control, using a pump by means of pregancy and beyond is frequently a good thing. Having as more or less normal blood glucose levels decreases the chances of troubles during pregnancy.
Q What are the costs?
A The initial outlay is in the order of a couple of thousand dollars, but prices are coming down all the time. Infusion sets require changing frequently too. The newest prices might be found from loads of diabetes suppliers on the web.
