Insulin Pump Usage

An insulin pump is a relatively new invention that is used to administer insulin into the body as a way of regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. Many diabetics often complain about the hassle and even pain of having to constantly use syringes to inject insulin. An insulin pump uses an entirely different mechanism that doesn’t require the use of injecting a needle into the body each time insulin is required.

A typical pump consists of insulin, tubing with a cannula that dispenses insulin into the body. The pump is about the size of a cell phone and can be worn around the abdominal area in a pouch and is connected to the cannula via a thin tube. The tube passes the insulin to the cannula that's attached to the skin.

There are two ways the pump introduces insulin into the body. The first is known as a basal dosage, which is useful in keeping the level of glucose even between meals, exercise or at night. It is called the basal dosage. The second method is referred to as the bolus dosage and involves administering a large dosage before meals.

The Benefits of Using an Insulin Pump

The pump is preprogrammed to deliver just the right dosage based on individual needs. If the individual changes diets or adopts a new exercise regime these dosages can easily be adjusted. They allow one to eat or work out whenever one wants, giving the diabetic a greater sense of freedom, without the stress that comes peak levels of insulin that can wreak havoc in one’s schedule.

Furthermore, the added benefit is that there are no syringes which have to be used. While one may still need to occasionally inject insulin with a syringe, due to excessively high blood sugar, the need for multiple injections daily is eliminated with the pump. This is a major advantage for those who may have difficulty drawing up their own insulin or those who struggle with maintaining a strict regimen of insulin injections

The Disadvantages

On the negative side, an insulin pump must be worn at all times so it might be inconvenient for some people who enjoying swimming or other sports, since the tubing can easily become hooked on anything.

Also, you’ll actually need to examine your blood sugar more frequently. Since someone on an insulin pump is receiving a constant stream of insulin, you must make sure you are not running too low on a regular basis. The only way to avoid this is to make sure the pump is always correctly calibrated and compared to multiple glucose readings in order to maintain stable, well-controlled blood glucose levels.

Other drawbacks include: risks of infection, the high cost of the insulin pump itself, and the idea of being self-conscious about wearing it. Other than that, it is an enormous development in the field of treating diabetes and has made great advances in terms of functionality and dependability.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with your health care professional before implementing any treatment for diabetes.