Are you one of those people who have insulin dependence issues? You might be considering having an insulin pump to supply insulin needed by your body. Today, lots of people are using insulin pumps, especially those who ate insulin dependent and those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. They wear insulin pumps to deliver in rapid-acting insulin in their body 24 hours a day.
There are thousands of individuals of all ages that undergo insulin therapy and studies shows that individuals using insulin pumps have better glucose management outcomes. This allows them to have more flexibility in their lifestyle and have normal blood sugar fluctuations. However, insulin pumps may not be the right choice for all people who experiences insulin issues. Thus, before wearing it, it is better to know its several pros and cons to weigh your decision of using it or not.
The 6 Pros of Insulin Pumps
1. Improved Blood Sugar Control
Insulin pumps can improve blood sugar control in the body by delivering basal rates that are individualized.
2. Insulin Pumps
Can also eliminate the inconvenience of patients in undergoing multiple daily injections of insulin in their body.
3. Precise Dosage
Individuals who use insulin pumps have the precise dosage basal rates delivery for as low as .025 units/per as well as .1 unit dose of bolus rates. It also enables temporary basal rates.
4. Special Meal Bolus
In addition, it also delivers special meal bolus essential for matching the delays of the body’s absorption of certain food.
5. Reduces Hypoglycemia
Reduces the frequency of hypoglycemia and results fewer large swings in patient’s blood sugar level.
6. Provides Lifestyle Conveniences
Patients can have more flexibility about what and when to eat.
The 5 Cons of Insulin Pumps
1. Risk of Infection
There is a risk of infection in using insulin pumps, most especially when the insertion site of the cannula is not changed every 2 or 3 days.
2. Risk of Malfunction
The insulin pumps patients are wearing can malfunction and deliver either too little or too much insulin.
3. Risk of Diabetes Ketoacidosis
When the delivery of insulin is disrupted for some reason, there is a high risk for patients to have ketoacidosis through the rapid rise of their blood glucose. Note the insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin that may cause rapid rise in the insulin level if it is disrupted for any reason.
4. High Cost
Insulin pumps costs around $7000 for just the pump and it may cost $1500 for the supplies each year.
5. Still Need to Check Your Blood Sugar Often
Insulin pumps will not solve all your blood sugar problems. There is still a need for patients to test their blood glucose at bedtime and before meals to gauge if their bolus and basal rates are working as planned.
Should You Wear Insulin Pumps?
Lots of insulin pump users find more advantage of using it which outweighs its disadvantages. If you are planning to use it, you should first be experienced in carbohydrate counting and must test your blood glucose for at least three to four times daily. Also, you must also have to be in a multiple daily insulin dose program. Those who are apt candidates for using insulin pump should also have to understand as well as work well with devices such as computers.
