5 Advantages of Using Insulin Pumps

If you have Type I or Type II diabetes, an insulin pump can help you manage blood sugar levels. Here’s what you need to know and the benefits of using pumps.

How Insulin Pumps Work

A pump is a computerized device for managing diabetes. It is one of the options for regulating blood sugar for people with Type I diabetes. However, the device can effectively deliver insulin for people of all ages, including older patients with Type II diabetes.

The pump delivers insulin in two primary ways. It could be a continuous release on a specified measure called the basal dosage. The other way is a bolus, which is a surge of insulin dosage before mealtime or exercise.

The infusion set is an assembly consisting of a catheter, a plastic tube with a needle on one end. The catheter is inserted into the fatty tissue under the skin.

You can integrate a Continuous Glucose Monitor with the pump to manage insulin delivery. The CGM monitor can detect the effects of insulin dosages on your body and make adjustments if necessary.

Advantages of Using a Pump

The pump has several advantages over using a needle or a pen. The following are some of its benefits.

Manage Insulin Accurately: A pump releases insulin steadily and continuously. The device can switch between the Basal or bolus settings depending on your needs. You can opt for a basal dosage and then change to bolus when taking a meal.

Fewer Insulin Injections: Instead of daily injections, you can keep the infusion set for two to three days. So, you don’t have to be anxious about needles before every meal. It is ideal for people who are sensitive to needles.

Plan Your Diet: A pump gives you more flexibility when planning your exercise regimen or meals. For example, if you decide on exercising, you can choose a lower basal rate. That way, you can avoid a spike in blood sugar levels.

Reduce Episodes of Severe Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is a condition where blood sugar drops below the usual levels. The steady insulin release from the infusion set can prevent severe episodes of hypoglycemia. Studies show pumps are effective at minimizing adverse events and hospitalizations.

Improve A1C Test Outcomes: An A1C test determines your average blood sugar levels over three months. Higher levels are associated with complications. Insulin pumps from Tandem Diabetes have cutting-edge features, such as Control-IQ technology, to prevent glucose fluctuations and adverse events.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pump

You can choose from a wide range of pumps to deliver insulin. Consider how much its insulin reservoir can store. Patients sensitive to insulin may want to opt for a device that can release the dosage in small amounts.

If you aim for convenience, you could opt for a device that integrates with a Continuous Glucose Meter. Also, check if it can work with your portable device or Smartphone to make it easier to program or read data.

A pump is more effective at managing blood sugar levels than needles or a pen. It can help you minimize the risks of hypoglycemia so that you can enjoy life without the unnecessary hassles of injections.