About Insulin Pumps

An insulin pump is around the size of a cell phone. It has a pump reservoir, or cartridge, a pump that is battery operated and a computer chip the person uses to control the amount and times insulin is given. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes use insulin pumps. According to MedicineNet.com, more than 50,000 people in the world use insulin pumps to control diabetes.

Identification

• A plastic needle, or cannula, is inserted under the skin. The cannula is attached to the pump by a thin plastic tube. Insulin is sent from the pump through the tube into the body. The abdomen is the most common site for cannula insertion. Basal insulin is delivered through the pump continuously for 24 hours. The cannula should be replaced every two days.

Function

• Different basal insulin rates can be programmed into the pump to accommodate activity level and lifestyle factors. In addition, buttons on the pump allow the user to give extra boosts of insulin, or bolus insulin, when needed to cover carbohydrate consumption. Bolus insulin is also used when blood sugar levels are too high. A little extra insulin will cause blood glucose levels to return to normal.

Physician Assistance

• A physician helps determine the amount of basal and bolus insulin each person should use, depending on the total amount of insulin used daily and taking into consideration any highs and lows throughout the day. A record is kept for several days of the patient's normal insulin injection schedule, amounts of insulin used and any low blood sugar episodes. This record is what the physician uses to program the insulin pump.

Wearing an Insulin Pump

• Attach the pump to the waistband of pants or underwear, on the bra strap, pocket, or sock, or buy a case to keep the pump. Tubing can also be hidden in the waistband of clothing. Accessories such as arm and leg bands and waterproof cases to hang on the shower rod are available to hold the pump while sleeping and showering.

Considerations

• Keep track of carbohydrate consumption in the diet to avoid weight gain when using an insulin pump. Because the pump affords the ability to instantly cover excess carbohydrates eaten, it increases the likelihood of weight gain if not monitored. Diabetic ketoacidosis (dangerously low insulin levels) is also something to watch for when using an insulin pump, because the cannula can come out without notice, resulting in hours without insulin.

Warning

• The insulin pump can be disconnected or removed for activities such as swimming. Take a blood sugar reading before disconnecting the pump, and bolus if necessary to compensate for the length of time the pump will not be used. Always remember to reconnect to the insulin pump every few hours to avoid hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Never go longer than two hours without insulin.