Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the metabolism of glucose to control blood sugar. People with diabetes take insulin through injections or pumps to prevent high blood sugar levels. Here is a breakdown of all you need to know about insulin pumps.
What is an Insulin Pump?
Patients with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2 diabetes must take insulin doses to maintain their health. If you have diabetes, you may require two long-acting injections daily. Patients may also require three or more rapid-acting insulin shots after taking heavy meals or snacks.
The purpose of an insulin pump is to deliver insulin for rapid absorption in the body. The pump is a small device the size of your smartphone. You can wear it on your belt or use adhesive tape to attach it to your stomach or arm.
How Does an Insulin Pump Control Basal and Bolus Rate?
Before using an insulin pump, it is essential to understand the basic facts about the daily doses your body needs. A basal insulin dose refers to the amount your body needs daily to replace insulin lost during the day. A bolus insulins replacement is a surge in blood sugar you may experience after mealtimes.
How does an insulin pump work to control the basal and bolus rate? The pump has a program that delivers insulins every hour to ensure you meet the daily rate. Your doctor will determine the best settings based on your needs.
The pump may also have an in-built insulins calculator to compute your bolus rate at meal times. You may also get training from diabetes specialists on how to use the pump. Since the device is automated, the insulins is fast-acting, and the device doesn’t need long-acting doses.
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Types of Insulin Pumps
The two main types of insulins devices are tethered and patch pumps. Tethered pumps have a long, thin tube with a reservoir and a pump to deliver the doses. It may also have a screen and buttons for setting the basal and bolus rates.
Patch pumps consist of a reservoir, pumping mechanism, and infusion components in one compact package. You may place the patch on your arm or stomach. Programming the patch remotely from a separate wireless device is also possible.
Insulins pumps may also come with additional features for convenience and precision. Some models like the t: slim X2 from Tandem Diabetes Care utilize predictive algorithms to automate insulins delivery.
What are the Benefits of Using an Insulin Pump?
The primary purpose of a pump is to reduce the injections needed to control insulins in diabetes patients. The patient will only need to change the pump after three days instead of daily insulins injections.
The basal dose can vary depending on the patient’s age and physiological factors. An insulins pump ensures precise delivery to match the patient’s profile.
Additionally, the device uses rapid-acting doses, ensuring a fast uptake of insulins. You can conveniently adjust amounts according to your carbohydrate intake at mealtimes.
You can find many types of insulins pumps today, with many features for your convenience. Choose a device that fits your lifestyle and needs. Talk to a specialist to evaluate your circadian profiles to ensure faster and more precise insulins intake.
