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How does the insulin pump work?
"How does the insulin pump work?" just in "Diabetes symptoms"colum,Some of the information network reference literature.
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Pumps are great. but if you think they are a "replacement" for checking your blood sugars and getting injections, you are badly mistaken.
There is NO PUMP that automatically checks your blood sugar. YOU have to do that yourself. There is no "automatic" pump, or what is called a "closed loop system". YOU do the finger stick and tell the pump what the reading was. [That is called an "open loop system"] The pump then tells you how to set it up.
And the MORE finger sticks you do, the better the pump works. Some pumps need you to do the finger stick test 12-15 times a day, but in return the provide a much better blood sugar level control.
And, the pump attaches into your system using a CANNULA. This is like one long shot. It is a needle, like an IV needle, that stays permanently under your skin, The pump rides on your belt, and attaches to the cannula. The effect is like you are getting one long 24-hour shot every day.
Tha advantge to the pump is that you are getting a small amount of insulin at all times the pump is connected. This evens out your blood sugar, making it closer to normal at all times.
The disadvantge is that you have to take MANY finger sticks and re-program the pump several times day. You also must rmember to check and re-load the pump, usually every 3-4 days, but this is mechanical, not painful.
There is a new "closed loop" pump being developed. This pump requires TWO cannula (needles) placed under your skin -- one to inject insulin, one to measure the blood sugar. WHEN this pump become available it will eliminate the finger stick readings.
Due to the necessary FDA safety testing, this pump is still about 5-7 years away from being available for purchase.
The cost of pumps varies, but is several thousand dollars (may be covered by insurance). The trade off is that you will be healthier with a pump, and spend less money on hospital visits.
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"How does the insulin pump work?" contents on this site is meant for informational purposes only.
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Pumps are great. but if you think they are a "replacement" for checking your blood sugars and getting injections, you are badly mistaken.
There is NO PUMP that automatically checks your blood sugar. YOU have to do that yourself. There is no "automatic" pump, or what is called a "closed loop system". YOU do the finger stick and tell the pump what the reading was. [That is called an "open loop system"] The pump then tells you how to set it up.
And the MORE finger sticks you do, the better the pump works. Some pumps need you to do the finger stick test 12-15 times a day, but in return the provide a much better blood sugar level control.
And, the pump attaches into your system using a CANNULA. This is like one long shot. It is a needle, like an IV needle, that stays permanently under your skin, The pump rides on your belt, and attaches to the cannula. The effect is like you are getting one long 24-hour shot every day.
Tha advantge to the pump is that you are getting a small amount of insulin at all times the pump is connected. This evens out your blood sugar, making it closer to normal at all times.
The disadvantge is that you have to take MANY finger sticks and re-program the pump several times day. You also must rmember to check and re-load the pump, usually every 3-4 days, but this is mechanical, not painful.
There is a new "closed loop" pump being developed. This pump requires TWO cannula (needles) placed under your skin -- one to inject insulin, one to measure the blood sugar. WHEN this pump become available it will eliminate the finger stick readings.
Due to the necessary FDA safety testing, this pump is still about 5-7 years away from being available for purchase.
The cost of pumps varies, but is several thousand dollars (may be covered by insurance). The trade off is that you will be healthier with a pump, and spend less money on hospital visits.
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"How does the insulin pump work?" contents on this site is meant for informational purposes only.