Diabetic Insulin Pumps

Many people with diabetes consider diabetic insulin pumps to be a tremendous boon. Fans of diabetic insulin pumps say that the pumps afford them greater freedom, while simultaneously providing them with tighter control over their blood sugar levels. Poor glycemic control can lead to some of diabetes' most devastating complications, particularly those brought on by small vessel disease. These complications include vision loss and renal failure.

How exactly does a pump improve glycemic control? First, the pump uses only fast-acting insulin. A healthy pancreas (one not affected by diabetes or other illness) also produces only fast-acting insulin, so the hormone secreted by the pump is closer to the hormone which would be secreted by your own body.

According to some studies, long-acting insulin (the type an insulin dependent diabetic injects upon waking up in the morning) is a lot more unpredictable than fast-acting insulin. These studies claim that long-acting insulin has a 52 percent or less variable, while fast-acting insulin has a three percent or less variable.

Diabetics who inject themselves with insulin and have a very difficult time controlling their blood sugar--despite testing themselves often, eating and exercising regularly, and otherwise acting as they should--may benefit from an insulin pump. In addition to the benefit of fast-acting insulin, pumps deliver very consistent, very small doses of basal insulin--just like healthy pancreases do. To learn more about diabetic insulin pumps, feel free to call us toll free at 1-866-403-6287.