Diabetes Pump
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Diabetes Pumps
Anydiabetes patient must learnhow to manage and control ther blood sugarif he intendsto lead alife that is complication free. The insulin pump can be of great use in helping you manage diabetes. The pumps are good and can help you keep the blood glucose levels within manageable levels. The pumps are known to deliver insulin throgh a catheter that is normally placed under the skin. The pump delivers the basal insulin over 24 hours and this plays a very vital role in ensuring that the blood glucose levels are kept within the required range then insulin is also separated in to bolus by pressing some buttons on the pump this bolus covers the carbohydrates taken in each meal. If you take in larger amounts, of carbohydaretes the pump can help you deliver more bolus to cover it. If you also have high blood glucose, the bolus delivered by the pump can correct and bring it to normal range.
How to use a diabetes pump
Knowing how the pump works is quite vital and it can be worn on the waistband ,armband, legband or even have it clipped on the blanket. The pumps should not be exposed to water despite the fact that they are water resistant.
When taking a shower, the pump should be disconnected and kept well. There are also special cases where the pump can be stored when it is not being used. The pump is not supposed to curtail your daily activities. In fact, the pumps are designed in such a way that you enjoy using them. If you are a sports person, rubber bands can help hold the pump firmly on the arm. Women can also have the pump fixed at their sports bra to enable them enjoy their game while using the pump.
How common is a diabetes pump?
Over 100,000 people with type-1 and type-2 diabetes are using a diabetes pump and this number is increasing dramatically as these pumps become user-friendly and smaller. Diabetes pump helps in controlling blood sugar level and lifestyle by minimizing the terrible effects of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). At present, the diabetes pump is the most common and helpful device on the pharmaceutical market. Recently, newer and advanced models of the diabetes pump have been developed, which don’t require tubing and can deliver the insulin from 6 foot, and can be kept in a purse, worn in a pocket, or on a table when working. The newest and advanced pump allows real time glucose calculation value of the patient.
The insulin pump is attached with a thin plastic tube that has a soft plastic needle (known as cannula) at the end through this insulin passes from the pump to body. This plastic needle is inserted under the body skin, generally on the abdomen. This plastic needle should be changed every two to three days. Some pumps are used for continuous delivery of insulin to body, 24 hours a day. Before taking insulin through these pumps, insulin doze is programmed as well as is administered at a fixed rate also known as basal rate. But, insulin doze needed over the course of a day varies depending on several factors like activity level, sleep and exercise.
It is however important to note that the pump should not be stopped when in the middle of delivering the bolus. This is because if this happens, the pump will not resume delivering the bolus and this may force you to program another bolus. Ensure that you have the bolus to take care of the missed basal rate. Try to monitor the blood glucose level which should be kept under 150. The monitoring should be done every three to four hours.
Advantages of using diabetes pumps.
- It eliminates the need to inject yourself with insulin using injections.
- The pumps are known to improve AIC.
- The blood glucose level is easily stabilized if you are using the pump.
- Since it is possible to program the amount of insulin using the pump, you can enjoy your meals.
- The pump reduces severe blood glucose occurrences.
- It eliminates effects of intermediate or long acting insulin.
- The pump makes it possible for you to exercise without having to eat large amounts of carbohydrates.
There are several types of insulin pumps they vary by brand and how they are normally connected to the body.
Those connected with tubes or infusion sets.
These are small enough and are worn on the outside of the body. They are very flexible and have a strong tubing. That is normally infused and connects the pump to the person. The insulin moves through the tube in to a small tubing that is normally placed under the skin.
Tubeless insulin pump
They are put on the top of the skin to inject insulin in to the skin. They do not need the infusion sets.
Implantable insulin pump.
It is implanted under a skin after some surgery has been done insulin is delivered into peritoneal area . It has a reservoir kept beneath the skin but can be refilled using a syringe every after 45 days. Before picking on this pump it is important that you discuss it with your doctor and find what you can and what you cannot do while the pump is under your skin. Learn about the features of the pump and whether is it easy to get the supplies. The pricing aspect is also quite vital .
Omnipod
It is small as the name suggests and does not use the tubing. It is worn on the skin and it is attached to the catheter . It is capable of holding 200 units of insulin units and has a number of programmable injection profiles. It allows you to carry out your daily activities without interferences.
Meditronic Minimed
This is another catheter tubing pump that delivers insulin in the body and allows you to continue with your normal activities and programs. It has three programmable insulin delivery profiles. It also has a software capable of uploading memory data and also reminds you of missed bolus injections. It will also give you signals when your high and low glucose limits are about to be attained.
One touch ping
This is another type of diabetes insulin pump that is quite new in the market. It allows you to use the meter remote or the pump for numerous glucose management functions. It is water prove and has a battery that will serve you for a longer period of time. It is one of the few diabetes pumps that allows you to lead a normal life with diabetes. It is designed in such a way that it can calculate insulin use and provide dietary information on almost 500 foods. For more information check out health.com’s section on diabetes.