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Medicanet 
conditions and treatments
diabetes
diabetes insulin
Diabetic Insulin Pump |
Diabetic Insulin PumpInsulin is produced in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
However, in diabetes there is resistance to insulin or insufficient production of insulin in the body. To combat this scenario, insulin pumps are used to match the required insulin as per your lifestyle. Type 1 diabetics normally use insulin pumps frequently as compared to the type 2 diabetes patients.
Insulin pumps are placed under the skin and deliver insulin rapidly throughout the day through a catheter.
Basal dosage of insulin is taken continuously over 24 hours to keep the sugar levels at normalcy between meals and overnight. This dose varies at different times of the day. During meals, a bolus dose is initiated by pressing a button in the insulin pump. It is planned to cater to the carbohydrate in each meal or snack eaten.
Sometimes it may so happen that your blood glucose levels are high even before meals. In that case, to correct this high sugar level a corrective or supplementary bolus dosage of insulin is taken.
Diabetic insulin pump can be put in a case and attached to a waistband, belt, pants, pocket, armband, legband. While sleeping one can keep it next to the bed or tuck it to the bedsheet, pajamas, blanket or the pillow.
While having a bath or being involved in any water related activities such as swimming, water playing, other water sports it is advised to disconnect diabetes insulin pump. Even though it may be water resistant, avoid putting diabetes insulin pump directly in contact with water.
While disconnecting the diabetic insulin pump, remember you will have to program it again for the dosage. Monitoring the blood sugar levels every 3-4 hours is essential, hence do not remove the diabetic insulin pump for more than one or two hours.
Insulin pumps are an easier method to maintain the blood sugar levels at optimum rates and at the same time eliminate the pain of insulin injections.
The insulin dose can be calculated depending upon the type of food eaten. It also helps to decrease the chances of hypoglycemia.
However, on the other hand insulin pumps can be expensive and also lead to weight gain. It may feel a bit irritating to have the pump attached to the body all the time.
There may be a threat of diabetes ketoacidosis in case the catheter comes out leading to insulin cut for few hours.
It takes time to get adjusted to the usage of insulin pumps, attaching it to the body, measuring the dosage and programming it. It is best to take your insulin at a specific time everyday. Do not forget the bolus dose. Consult a dietician when you start using diabetic insulin pumps, so that your insulin intake is set as per the levels of carbohydrates eaten. Record your blood glucose levels daily or weekly so that you can reap maximum benefits from your diabetic insulin pumps.
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