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An insulin pump is a device for continuous insulin delivery. It is used to treat diabetes. The insulin pump is convenient to use and improves the patient’s quality of life as regular insulin injections are not necessary.
Types of insulin pumps
There are two types of insulin pumps on the market:
- Personal insulin pump. It is a small device equipped with an insulin reservoir (3 ml) that continuously delivers insulin.
- Implantable insulin pump. It is a small device equipped with an insulin reservoir (15 ml), which is implanted under the skin above the rectus abdominis muscle, and this way insulin is administered into the peritoneal cavity. After three months, the reservoir in the implantation insulin pump should be refilled.
How does a personal insulin pump work?
A personal insulin pump is an electronic device the size of a cell phone that can be carried anywhere, attached to your wardrobe. Its action is based on imitating the work of the pancreas, i.e. continuous subcutaneous delivery of insulin in the amount corresponding to the current needs of the body. The basal rate of insulin is programmed and delivered continuously, as is the case when the pancreas is working properly. This dose is determined by the attending physician and programmed individually. It can also be paused, decreased or increased. An insulin pump can deliver extra insulin if needed – for example, after a heavy meal.
The insulin pump consists of a chamber containing a reservoir filled with insulin. Insulin is injected under the skin using a small flexible tube placed under the skin. It is connected to the insulin reservoir by a small tubing that can be disconnected or attached to a tubing at will. It is a convenient solution, for example, when a diabetic patient wants to use the swimming pool or even take a shower. The insulin pump has buttons for programming and delivery of insulin, a color LCD display for programming the pump, a compartment for an AA alkaline battery and a pocket with an insulin reservoir.
In what cases is an insulin pump used
A personal insulin pump is reimbursed by the National Health Fund for children and pregnant women. The indications for putting on an insulin pump are: lack of diabetes control in people injecting insulin 4 times a day, “unstable” course of diabetes and morning hyperglycemia (low insulin requirement during the day, increased in the morning). An insulin pump is also recommended for people who are active, do sports, travel frequently, work hard or eat irregularly. The insulin pump will also work for people who are afraid of needles and injections, have a reduced perception of hypoglycemia, are afraid of diabetes complications, do not want to give up their current lifestyle and feel the fear of hypoglycemia at night.
Advantages of using an insulin pump
The insulin pump allows for the treatment of diabetes and control of blood glucose levels in a way that allows the patient to lead the usual lifestyle.
In addition, the use of an insulin pump helps to control HbA1c levels to a greater extent. There are less episodes of hypoglycemia and the fluctuation in blood sugar levels is reduced. Insulin dosing is much more precise and facilitated: insulin pumps have a built-in calculator that allows you to calculate the amount of an additional dose of insulin injected as needed. The operation of the insulin pump is adapted to the individual case and to the current needs of the patient – for example, when he is playing sports or during illness, that is, when the insulin requirement is changed. The insulin pump can be connected to a wireless blood glucose meter, which automatically sends the glucose value information to the pump. This increases the accuracy of calculations of the calculator installed in the insulin pump.
Insulin pump – price
The prices of insulin pumps vary and depend on the features available. The prices of the basic models range from PLN 4 to PLN 9. The pump with continuous glucose monitoring costs about PLN 12, while the pump with an additional hypoblock costs about PLN 15. The most expensive are insulin pumps, which “predict” the possibility of hypoglycemia based on CGM – their prices oscillate around PLN 18.
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