Diabetic Insulin Pump
The Remarkable Technology of the Insulin Pump For many years, people who have been diagnosed with diabetes typically do not live a long life. “Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body”(Farflex). There have been many advances in the technology of diabetic supplies; this includes the insulin pump. “Insulin pumps are a medical device used for the administration of insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy”(Wikipedia). The advantages in the technology of the insulin pump are better blood sugar control, a device that closely copies a healthy pancreas, and a flexible lifestyle. First of all, statistically, people who use insulin pumps have lower A1C levels than people who perform shots. The most important part is that the pump user sees fewer highs and fewer lows, and more readings that are closer to normal. By reducing long-acting insulin from the diabetes routine and replacing it with a true "basal" rate of fast-acting insulin, the necessity to eat meals on schedule is reduced. Meals can be skipped without worrying about hypoglycemia. “Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) is too low” (Zieve). Blood sugar levels also drop more steadily with pump use, resulting in earlier discovery of hypoglycemic signs. Meanwhile, the insulin pump copies the human pancreas by mechanically releasing small quantities of rapid-acting insulin every few minutes. With the pump, diabetics get as close as possible to providing insulin as if their body did not have diabetes. This is called basal. The basal is designed to keep the blood sugar level stable between meals and during sleep. Temporary adaptations can be made to basal levels for circumstances such as illness, stress, and
Cited: Farflex. "Diabetes Mellitus." The Free Dictionary. Flarflex, n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2010. "Integrated Diabetes Services :: Pump Basics ." Integrated Diabetes Services. n.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2010. Wikipedia. "Insulin pump - Wikipedia" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. n.p., 4 Sept. 2010. Web. 2 Oct. 2010. Zieve, David . "Hypoglycemia." Consumer Health News, Information and Resources Updated Daily. n.p., 20 May 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2010.