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Insulin Pump Information

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 21 million Americans have diabetes, roughly seven percent of the population. Diabetics manage their insulin intake with either injections or insulin pumps. The insulin pump, designed in the 1970s, make diabetes management less time consuming and more accurate then injections, thereby allowing diabetics to enjoy more freedom in their day-to-day lives. The pump is available worldwide and covered by a wide variety of insurance companies.

  1. Operation

    • Insulin is delivered to the body through a tiny catheter inserted into the fatty tissue of the stomach. The catheter is connected to a plastic tube attached to the pump itself: a computerized device the size of a cell phone with buttons for programming. There are three types of insulin delivered via the pump: basal, bolus and supplemental. Basal insulin runs continuously, bolus insulin compensates for your intake of carbohydrates and sugar and supplemental is programmed in case of error.

    Considerations

    • The pump can be disconnected when you bathe or go swimming. They are waterproof, but should not be submerged in water. If you disconnect the pump during the delivery of bolus or supplemental insulin, it will not finish the dose; you will have to reprogram your pump upon reconnection. Type 1 diabetics primarily use insulin pumps. This is because the pumps mimic the pancreas.

    Benefits

    • According to ADA, the benefits of using insulin pumps are as follows: no more injections, more accurate doses, improvement of A1c, fewer swings in blood sugar, ease of use, more flexibility in eating and exercising, reduction in hypoglycemia and the elimination of unpredictable effects from long-lasting insulin injections. All of these factors lead to a higher quality of life.

    Warnings

    • Pumps must remain attached during sleep and proper operation must be maintained. Ketoacidosis can occur if the pump becomes disconnected. Some pump users may also experience weight gain.

    Expert Insight

    • According to a survey commissioned by Medtronic and conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs, doctors believe that 82 percent of diabetics who manage their disease with injections do so incorrectly. The same study determined that 90 percent of endocrinologists support the use of the insulin pump, because it lowers the number of hypoglycemic events. Two thirds of study participants said they would choose a pump over injections for a loved one, as pumps lead to a higher quality of life.

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