Is Insulin Pump Difficult To Use
Most people are intimidated by the word insulin pump. On the other hand, very few patients have a hard time using insulin pump once they start using. If you can use a smartphone you can use an insulin pump. Insulin pump nurses and specially trained coaches help you a few times to get you started and that the rest is a piece of cake. The learning curve is not steep. And, once you master your reap the benefits.
Medtronics Earlier Minimed Pumps
In its heyday, the Minimed 530 was monumental because it did what no other insulin pump had done before: It automatically suspended insulin delivery if you crossed a certain low glucose threshold. Medtronic snagged FDA approval for that Low Glucose Suspend or threshold-suspend feature in September 2013 and it remained available until October 2018, when Medtronic discontinued it and earlier 5-series pumps in favor of the newer 6-series devices.
The discontinuation of those classic Medtronic pump models that looked like colorful pagers marked the end of an era. The Minimed Revel and Paradigm designs, as well as the 530G , are actually still widely used but are no longer being manufactured or sold by the company. The supplies are becoming more difficult to find as time moves forward.
How Insulin Pumps Work
Information in the insulin pump is programmed to meet the needs of the individual wearing it. Insulin is infused into fatty tissue through a small plastic tube, called a cannula, that’s attached to a reservoir in the pump. The cannula is inserted under the skin by a needle, which is referred to as an infusion set. It’s changed every two to three days to prevent infection. Only rapid acting insulin is used in a pump. Since the pump continuously delivers insulin, there’s no need for long acting insulin.
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Best Insulin Pump For Type 1 Diabetes
byOctober 10, 2022, 6:05 am1.9k Views
Insulin administration via an Insulin pump is the best and gold-standard treatment for Type 1 Diabetes patients.
An insulin pump is a compact device that delivers brief insulin injections via a tube and needle. The tube is replaced and the pump is moved to a different location on your body every two to three days .
Some insulin pumps attach directly to the skin rather than tubes and needles. The best insulin pump for type 1 diabetes can help you maintain blood sugar levels within your desired range.
Insulin pump therapy has the potential to improve glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes. It may reduce the risk of both short-term complications like severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis as well as long-term complications .
Additionally, you will still require a backup diabetes kit so you can administer insulin injections if necessary.
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Why Only Use Fast
In short, fast-acting insulin will achieve better blood sugar levels and result in better control for the patient than using longer-acting insulin in pumps.
The benefit of fast-acting insulin is that they take effect immediately: usually within 10-15 minutes of administration, and they peak after about an hour.
The total duration of fast-acting insulin in the body is between 3-4 hours, depending on your metabolism and ability to process the insulin.
Additionally, using fast-acting insulin in an insulin pump can better manage high blood sugar levels, whereas trying to manage your blood sugars with long-acting insulin alone is cumbersome and dangerous, due to their delayed effects, multiple peaks, and long duration in the body.
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Types Of Insulin Pump
There are fifteen different types of insulin pumps available in the UK. Most pumps are either tethered or patch pumps:
- Tethered pumps: Tethered pumps are connected to your body via a narrow tube and cannula. You carry the pump in a pocket or bag
- Patch pumps: Patch pumps attach directly onto your skin they deliver insulin to your body through a fine cannula
- Insulin pumps with integrated CGMs: Integrated pumps communicate with a continuous glucose monitor
- Closed-loop systems: Also known as an artificial pancreas, these use an app to automatically adjust the dose on your insulin pump according to the readings from an implanted glucose monitor
- Implanted insulin pump : IIPs are only available in France at the moment but are a promising new development in pump technology
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The Different Types Of Insulin Pumps Available In 2022
Welcome to the ultimate guide to the different types of insulin pumps on the market the 2019 edition! I thought since I am on an insulin pump, and have done the research into choosing that insulin pump, that it would be useful to have a little guide on all the different types available and what is the âbest insulin pump on the marketâ.
If youâre interested in why I think an insulin pump is good for travelling, then you can check out my post here.
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Whats Not So Great About The Pump
There are downsides to any therapy, and the insulin pump is no exception.
- Wearing it can be unsettlingMost of the time, youll be wearing your pump on your body, clipped to your waistband or in your pocket. Fortunately, many accessories are available to make wearing the pump discreet and convenient.
- CostInsulin pumps cost thousands of dollars. Insurance coverage for insulin pumps varies. Some companies will cover all of the cost, while others may cover only half. Some might also pay for only certain brands. Dont forget to factor in the cost of disposable items, such as cartridge syringes, infusion sets and skin preparation items.
- Higher risk for ketoacidosisThere is a greater risk for ketoacidosis in pump therapy, because long-acting insulin is not used. Because of this, high levels of ketones may develop when there is not enough insulin in the bloodstream. This can happen if there is air in the tubing, a bad infusion set, insertion site infection, or if the insulin pump is disconnected for too long. See also Ketones and pump therapy. As a result, ketoacid levels rise, which can lead to diabetic coma.
- Risk of infusion site infectionInfections can occur if an infusion set is left in for too long. To lessen your chance of infection, change the set as directed by your doctor or pump educator. It is also crucial to wash your hands and the site properly in order to reduce chances of infection. See also Infusion set tips.
What Are The Benefits Of An Insulin Pump
The main benefit for insulin pump users is that it can provide you with more flexibility and better blood glucose control with constant delivery of insulin.
You will also have to inject yourself with insulin less if you use an insulin pump, with most people with type 1 diabetes only needing a shot every few days when using one.
Insulin pumps can also help to reduce the risk of low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, and can help you achieve your A1C goals.
A1C is the blood test used to measure blood sugar levels and they are also more accurate than shots.
Dosing your insulin is also easier and there is more flexibility and better glycemic control when you have the ability to bolus dose and help with high blood sugar level spikes in the morning, which is known as the dawn phenomenon.
Despite all the benefits, always carry injectable insulin with you in case it may be needed.
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Insulin Pumps: Relief And Choice
For people living with diabetes who are tired of injections, an insulin pump can bring welcomed relief. Insulin pumps are small, computerized devices that deliver insulin in two ways:
- In a steady measured and continuous dose , or
- As a surge dose, at your direction, around mealtime.
Doses are delivered through a flexible plastic tube called a catheter. With the aid of a small needle, the catheter is inserted through the skin into the fatty tissue and is taped in place. The tube/needle combination is called an infusion set.
The pumps can release small doses of insulin continuously , or a bolus dose close to mealtime to control the rise in blood glucose after a meal. This delivery mimics the body’s normal release of insulin.
The insulin pump may integrate with your continuous glucose monitor to help understand how your blood glucose is being affected and change the amount of insulin in some cases. Pumps can help some people reach their blood glucose targets and many people prefer this continuous system of insulin delivery over injections.
Regarding A Tubeless Device
The Omnipod 5 system, which received initial FDA clearance at the beginning of the year, was officially launched in the United States in early August 2022 for users 6 years of age and older.
This represents the entry of Boston-based Insulet Corp. into the world of automated insulin delivery . This is the best insulin pump for type 1 diabetes because of a tubeless device.
Through a tubeless, waterproof insulin pump, the Omnipod delivers continuous insulin delivery without the need for multiple daily injections.
Utilize these cutting-edge features to get 3 days of uninterrupted insulin delivery and freedom.
To automate insulin delivery, the new system combines the diminutive white Omnipod patch pump with the Dexcom G6 CGM and a controller algorithm.
The two main components of Pod Therapy which is an alternative to conventional insulin pumps are the tubeless Pod and the PDM.
Portable Personal Diabetes Manager is kept close by and is used to wirelessly schedule insulin delivery. No tubes, tangles, or multiple daily injections to slow you down .
This device has wearable, tubeless, waterproof features that Omnipod users adore, plus much more.
For meals, you will still need to bolus. This is accomplished with Omnipod 5 using the Controller or Omnipod 5 App .
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How An Insulin Pump Works
The device releases insulin almost the way your body naturally would: a steady flow throughout the day and night, called basal insulin, and an extra dose at mealtime, called a bolus, to handle rising blood sugar from the food you eat. You program the pump for both basal and bolus doses. If you eat more than normal, you can program a larger bolus to cover the carbs in your food. A bolus can bring down high blood sugar at other times, too.
The pump is about the size of a smartphone. You attach it to your body using an infusion set: thin plastic tubing and either a needle or a small tapered tube called a cannula you put under the skin. The place where you put it in — your belly, buttock, or sometimes thigh — is called the infusion site. Some pumps come with inserters for easier placement even in hard-to-reach areas.
Insulin pumps use short-acting and rapid-acting insulin, but not long-acting, since the pump is programmed to deliver a small amount continuously to keep your blood sugar levels even.
Pump Safety Is A Commitment
The one requirement for using a pump is that you and/or your caregivers are ready and willing to do what it takes to use the pump safely. Checking blood glucose is important because it will warn you if your pump stops working right or your infusion set stops working. This can cause high blood glucose levels and cause diabetic ketoacidosis , which is very serious and dangerous. Checking blood glucose levels frequently will alert you to this possibility and will prevent the development of ketones.
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What Is An Insulin Pump
An insulin pump is a small, computerized device that delivers insulin from an insulin reservoir via a catheter placed under the skin, also called a subcutaneous insulin infusion.
These medical devices are used as a treatment option if you have diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, and require regular doses of insulin therapy.
Diabetes can cause you to have high blood sugar, which is also called glucose. If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need an insulin pump or other insulin therapy, such as an insulin injection or insulin pen, as your pancreas has stopped making insulin.
Typically, if you have type 2 diabetes you do not have insulin requirements or need insulin pumps as your body doesnt respond to insulin due to a lack of insulin sensitivity called insulin resistance although there may be circumstances where your doctor may think you could benefit from using one.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes usually involves lifestyle changes such as carbohydrate counting, making healthy food choices in your diet, and exercise.
Traditional pumps deliver insulin in two ways, bolus insulin and background insulin , which is also called basal insulin.
Insulin pumps can be programmed to deliver different amounts of insulin at different times of the day to provide additional insulin around mealtimes.
Could You Use A Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Easily And Accurately
Some devices have small buttons placed close together and may be difficult to use if you have arthritis. All insulin pumps require attaching infusion sets and refilling insulin. Continuous glucose monitors require insertion of new sensors. Tubes need to be taped down sets need to be clipped to clothes. Can you do all that?
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Are Insulin Pumps Better For People With Diabetes
Supporters of insulin pumps believe that they allow diabetics to be more flexible, and eliminate the need for a wearing, daily routine.
A diabetic with an insulin pump does not necessarily have to rise at a certain time to take insulin. When it comes to diet, insulin pumps allows you to be more flexible with that they eat, if they are used in the correct way.
What Is The Cost Of An Insulin Pump
The cost of an insulin pump will vary depending on the type of insulin pump you choose and your insurance coverage.
Most insurance plans will cover the cost of an insulin pump but you will want to double-check with your insurance provider.
Speak with your doctor and insurance company to get an estimate of the cost and to find an affordable insulin pump that meets your needs.
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Help With The Dawn Phenomenon
I donât get this anymore with an insulin pump, but I remember it well on insulin pens.
You know when you wake up and you have wonderful blood sugars and you think to yourself, this is going to be a wonderful day!… Then, out of no reason, or logic , your blood sugars just start to rise and youâre thinking WHY GOD WHY.
Well, that is called the dawn phenomenon. And itâs not your fault, itâs your bodies fault.
Thankfully, an insulin pump can help fix that because you can give specific doses of your choice at every single hour of the day, so you can simply raise your insulin during that period to avoid going high in the first place. This cannot be achieved via insulin pens.
What Are The Different Types Of Insulin Pumps
There are three main types of insulin pumps: tubed, tubeless, and patch.
Tubed insulin pumps have a small, flexible, plastic tube called a cannula that connects the insulin pump to the infusion set.
Tubeless insulin pumps do not have a tube and the insulin pump is attached directly to the infusion set.
Patch insulin pumps are small, disk-shaped insulin pumps that are worn on the body like a patch.
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What Kind Of Insulin Do Pumps Use
Insulin pumps only use fast-acting insulin. If you inject insulin with a pen, you need to inject slow-acting insulin once a day, which usually lasts for about 24 hours . However, because insulin pumps deliver fast-acting insulin in tiny amounts all the time, there is no need for a separate slow-acting insulin to work in the background, because your pump is doing that job already.
This constant delivery is still known as basal even though its delivering fast-acting insulin. This is because its doing the same job as the slow-acting background insulin you use when youre managing type 1 with multiple daily injections. You can also adjust how much is being delivered per hour, which gives you more flexibility.
There are two types of insulin pump:
- A tethered pump uses a fine tube to connect the pump to the cannula the pump is worn in a pocket or clipped to a belt.
- A patch pump or micro pump has no tubing or a very short tube, and the pump is usually stuck on to the skin.
To find out what insulin pumps are currently available in the UK, visit Pumps and Infusion Sets Available in the UK.
Things To Keep In Mind
Before you start shopping for an insulin pump or patch pump, there are a few things youll need to remember. First, you should make sure youre able and willing to take your safety seriously while using one of these devices. That means regularly checking your blood sugar since this can alert you to problems with your pump problems that could result in elevated blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis if left unchecked.
Its also crucial to:
- Have a plan B. If your insulin pump falls off or breaks, you need to be able to fall back on standard insulin injections without missing a beat.
- Keep your expenses in mind. Insulin pumps are sophisticated medical devices, so theyre not always cheap. Be sure that your insurance will cover insulin pumps and check that the products it will cover are a good fit for you.
- Spend some time adjusting to life with a pump. Though an insulin pump can be highly convenient, youll need to figure out how to operate it, wear and conceal it at first.
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