Insulin pumps: Should you buy one? Part 2

Disadvantages of the insulin pump include:

- There is a learning period to use the pump most efficiently. Initially it takes time to obtain the baseline insulin levels. Frequent blood sugars need to be measured to obtain the desired levels of insulin.

- Pump malfunction can occur and one can develop too high or too low sugars.

- Individuals who are not good at maintaining their weight or calories are not good candidates for the insulin pump.

- The site where the plastic tubing enters the skin can get infected. When an infection does occur, one has to stop using the pump.

- Because the pump is a mechanical device, one has to repeatedly check to ensure that the batteries are working and that the tubing is not kinked.

- Insulin pumps are expensive and can cost anywhere from $2,000-$5,000. Not all insurance companies cover insulin pumps.

Final Point

The use of an insulin pump requires motivation and dedication. For those who want to use the device, the blood sugars must be checked 3-4 times a day. In addition, one has to control the diet and let the device know how many extra calories have been eaten. Individuals who are constantly eating require a lot of insulin. Anyone who needs more than 100-150 units of insulin a day, is not a good candidate for an insulin pump.

The biggest advantage of an insulin pump is that it can maintain glucose levels near normal and help prevent some of the feared complications of diabetes.

Insulin pumps are not for all diabetics. One does need to have training in how to use the pump. Further, blood sugars do have to be checked every 3-4 hours. The insulin pump also costs a lot more than syringes and needles.

Insulin pumps: Should you buy one? Part 1

For many diabetic individuals, monitoring blood sugar and taking diabetic medications or administering insulin every single day can be a chore. Now scientists have come up with an insulin pump.

The insulin pump delivers a constant amount (basal) rate of insulin 24 hours a day to control your blood sugar. One can program the pump to administer additional doses of insulin after a meal or to correct high levels of sugar.

The insulin pump is about the size of a thin wallet and can be carried on a belt underneath the clothing. A thin plastic tubing from this pump is then tunneled under the skin using a special needle. This tunneled site needs to be rotated every 2-3 days.

The insulin pump needs to be programmed for it to work.

Advantages of an insulin pump include the following:

- The pump controls your blood sugar levels without you having to worry about needles and syringes. Your basal rate is preprogrammed. If you do decide to eat an extra meal or have high sugar, all you have to do is press the button and a supplemental dose of insulin is delivered.

- Instead of giving insulin needle injections 2-6 times a day, you rotate the tubing site every 2-3 days.

- There is less time wastage and you do not need to carry a bunch of syringes and needles wherever you go

- In general, individuals who use the insulin pump have much better control of their blood sugars and hence fewer diabetic complications

- Individuals who use the insulin pump also have fewer incidences of hypoglycemia (low sugar).