An insulin pump is a computerized device that delivers insulin into the body. Your doctor or nurse works with a pump educator to program the settings that tell the pump how to provide the insulin according to your specific needs. This way, the person with diabetes can control how much insulin is released and when.
The computerized pump relieves the person with diabetes of having to administer the insulin by injection. However, he or she does have to get used to having the pump connected to the body by tubing. And the person with diabetes must still also check blood glucoses, count carbohydrates, make adjustments, and monitor the pump.
How does an insulin pump work?
An insulin pump looks a lot like a beeper. It has buttons to push and a small screen that displays information. Inside the pump is a small container, or reservoir, of fast-acting insulin. This reservoir is connected to tubing that is in turn connected to a very small plastic tube, or cannula, that is inserted under the person's skin. The person with diabetes is trained to use an infusion set to insert the cannula under the skin by means of a thin needle that is removed after insertion. The cannula is then held in place by tape. Insulin flows from the pump, through the tubing, into the cannula, and then into you! The cannula is usually inserted on the abdomen and is replaced every two to three days. There is one nsulin pump that works without tubing, and some people prefer that set-up.
The types of insulin doses that can be delivered by a pump
Basal insulin. The pump is programmed to automatically release a little bit of insulin every hour to help keep blood glucose levels within the target range between meals. This replaces the need for a long-acting insulin like Lantus® or Levemir®. The ability to release small amounts of insulin at precise intervals can help improve blood glucose control with less risk of low blood glucoses. The basal rate is set, but you can make adjustments; that is, you can adjust the basal rate so that you get more insulin at the times of day when your blood glucose levels may run higher and less insulin when you are exercising.
Bolus insulin. The pump also provides additional insulin whenever you eat. You tell the pump how many carbohydrate grams you are eating and what your blood glucose level is, and it calculates the amount. You then push a button and the insulin is delivered. Bolus doses are based on carbs and blood glucose levels.
Insulin pumps can help you become more flexible about the times and sizes of your meals and can help you reduce the frequency of low blood glucose levels related to exercise. If you would like to know more, Google "insulin pumps" and read the information from each pump manufacturer. You can also talk to your diabetes doctor or diabetes educator.
The computerized pump relieves the person with diabetes of having to administer the insulin by injection. However, he or she does have to get used to having the pump connected to the body by tubing. And the person with diabetes must still also check blood glucoses, count carbohydrates, make adjustments, and monitor the pump.
How does an insulin pump work?
An insulin pump looks a lot like a beeper. It has buttons to push and a small screen that displays information. Inside the pump is a small container, or reservoir, of fast-acting insulin. This reservoir is connected to tubing that is in turn connected to a very small plastic tube, or cannula, that is inserted under the person's skin. The person with diabetes is trained to use an infusion set to insert the cannula under the skin by means of a thin needle that is removed after insertion. The cannula is then held in place by tape. Insulin flows from the pump, through the tubing, into the cannula, and then into you! The cannula is usually inserted on the abdomen and is replaced every two to three days. There is one nsulin pump that works without tubing, and some people prefer that set-up.
The types of insulin doses that can be delivered by a pump
Basal insulin. The pump is programmed to automatically release a little bit of insulin every hour to help keep blood glucose levels within the target range between meals. This replaces the need for a long-acting insulin like Lantus® or Levemir®. The ability to release small amounts of insulin at precise intervals can help improve blood glucose control with less risk of low blood glucoses. The basal rate is set, but you can make adjustments; that is, you can adjust the basal rate so that you get more insulin at the times of day when your blood glucose levels may run higher and less insulin when you are exercising.
Bolus insulin. The pump also provides additional insulin whenever you eat. You tell the pump how many carbohydrate grams you are eating and what your blood glucose level is, and it calculates the amount. You then push a button and the insulin is delivered. Bolus doses are based on carbs and blood glucose levels.
Insulin pumps can help you become more flexible about the times and sizes of your meals and can help you reduce the frequency of low blood glucose levels related to exercise. If you would like to know more, Google "insulin pumps" and read the information from each pump manufacturer. You can also talk to your diabetes doctor or diabetes educator.
