Diabetes And The Insulin Pump

Diabetes is a disease of the metabolic system, in which the patient has high blood sugar. In some cases, the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin and in other cases, the cells just don't respond to the insulin when it is produced. This high blood sugar can cause a multitude of problems. The classical symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination, hunger, and increase in thirst.

There are 2 different types of diabetes.

Type 1 occurs because the pancreas does not make enough insulin.

Type 2 occurs because the cells in the body do not use the insulin in the right way.

Gestational occurs when a woman is pregnant and develops diabetes, when she did not have it before her pregnancy. Treatment for diabetes can range from controlling diet, oral medications, insulin injections and insulin pumps. Gastric bypass surgery has been known to help with people who have diabetes because of severe obesity and the gestational diabetic, usually resolves after the birth of the baby.

The insulin pumps replace the need to have injections. The pump delivers rapid acting insulin throughout the day by the use of a catheter. When the pump is used, the insulin can be better matched to the lifestyle. When the insulin pumps were first used, they were used more by the patients that were Type 1 diabetics, but now are being used more by people with Type 2 diabetes. The pump does not work by itself, it must be programed. The pump has to be told to deliver the insulin after the blood sugar is checked.

One type of Insulin infusion pump set is the Paradigm , which is used with the MiniMed Paradigm pumps. The user-filled reservoir holds up to 3 ml of insulin and come 10/box. The insulin pump is a small computerized device, similar in size to a cell phone, which is worn on a belt or pocket. This pump allows for the continuous flow of a rapid acting insulin. The insulin enters the body through a catheter that is inserted under the skin of the abdomen and is then taped down. The average insulin pump costs approximately $6,000 and many of the insurance companies have very strict guidelines that have to be followed.

The insulin pump provides a slow release of insulin, similar to what a normal pancreas would do and the thought is that it provides better blood sugars than with a number of injections given throughout the day. Another advantage is that there is no measuring and administering of injections. The one thing that the pump does not help with is that you still have to check your blood sugars at least 4 times a day. The pump catheter set has to be changed every couple of days and you have to be faithful in counting the grams of carbohydrates that you eat. The more successful diabetics that uses an insulin pump are ones that have been giving themselves two shots or less a day. These people tend to have less trouble with their blood sugars. The most important thing with an insulin pump is that the diabetic that is using it has a good knowledge of the procedures they need to follow.

With the insulin pumps, it can take a period of time for adjustment. The possibility of the blood sugar going high if something happens with the insulin pump or catheter can be a problem. The use of the insulin pump depends on the counting of the carbohydrates that are consumed. If the carbohydrates are not being counted, then the pump may not give good control. There is also a potential for infection of the area where the catheter in placed. This is one of the main reasons that people stop using pumps.

Although it is true, that insulin pumps are not for everyone, the fact remains that the most important part of the pump is the diabetic that is using it. Training, counting of carbohydrates, and checking the blood sugar is a must. A lot of people feel that the pump makes their diabetes easier to live with and keeps their blood sugars closer to the normal range.