What is Insulin Pumps: An insulin pump is a small device, computerized devices that some people with diabetes use to help manage their blood sugar, that is worn externally and can be discreetly clipped to your belt, slipped into a pocket, or hidden under your clothes.
The insulin pump is not an artificial pancreas, although pumps can support some people to achieve better control, and many people prefer this continuous system of insulin delivery over injections.
How Insulin Pumps Work
The pump releases rapid-acting insulin into your body through a small, flexible tube (called a catheter) which goes under your belly’s skin, to closely match your body’s needs:
- Basal Rate: Small quantities of insulin discharged continuously (24/7) for regular functions of the body. The programmed rate is managed by your healthcare expert.
- Bolus Dose: Additional insulin you can gain“ on demand” to meet the food you are going to eat or to review a high blood sugar. Insulin pumps become bolus calculators that assist you to calculate your bolus amount based on settings that are managed by your healthcare expert.
Types of Insulin Pumps
During the time comes to choose an insulin pump, there are various options. The “perfect” pump differs by person. Factors such as weight, cannula insertion angles, color, special features, cost, and easy usage play a vital role in the selection process. Patient factors associated with infusion set preference include patient’s age, body characteristics, immune system function, activities, personal preferences, and history of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Advantages of Insulin Pumps
- Users describe the better quality of life compared to using other devices for administering insulin.
- The use of rapid-acting insulin for basal requirements allows relative independence from a structured meal and exercise regime previously needed to regulate blood sugar with slow-acting insulin.
- Many advanced “smart” pumps hold a “bolus wizard” that calculates how much bolus insulin you need taking into account demanded carbohydrate intake, blood sugar level, and still-active insulin.
- New studies of the use of insulin pumps in Type 2 diabetes have shown intense improvements in HbA1c, sexual fulfillment, and neuropathy pain.
- Neuropathy is a dangerous complication of diabetes. There are reports of alleviation or even total withdrawal of resistant neuropathic pain with the application of insulin pumps.
Disadvantages of Insulin Pumps
- Insulin pumps, cartridges, and infusion sets may be far more expensive than syringes used for insulin injection.
- Some users may find that using the pump all the time is uncomfortable.
- Users may experience scar tissue buildup around the inserted cannula. The scar tissue does not heal particularly fast, In addition, the areas with scar tissue buildup generally have lower insulin responsiveness and may influence basal rates and bolus amounts.
- Another difficulty of insulin pump use is the risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis if the pump malfunctions. This can appear if the pump battery is discharged.
- Users may experience allergic reactions and other skin irritation, experience may vary according to the individual, the pump manufacturer, and the type of infusion set used.
Cost & Reputed Branded Insulin Pump
The cost of insulin pumps is often between $2500 and $5500, and supplies cost about $100 per month.
- Johnson & Johnson – Animas 2020
- Medtronic – Paradigm real-Time MMT-722
- Medtronic – Paradigm real-Time MMT-522
- Deltec Cozmo
- Roche – Accu-Chek Spirit