Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion
Do you wonder what all the hype is over insulin pumps? Do you even know what an insulin pump is? You’re not alone. Only a very small percentage of diabetics have ever heard of or seen one.
First, it resembles a beeper in size and shape. What it does is hold insulin (rapid acting) in a reservoir outside the body. It is programmed to deliver that insulin in small (basal) doses, or large (bolus) doses throughout the day qthe way likea a normal pancreas does. Its delivery is through a small plastic tube (cannula) that resembles an IV. This tube can be quickly disconnected for bathing, sports or changing your clothes. Nothing is implanted, as most people believe. It is set by your doctor or educator, as each person’s dosage is different. It can be set for different times of the day, different activities and different individual foods. It gives much more flexibility in daily life, since it can be turned off at intervals, depending on your blood sugars and activity.
The goal of CSII is to improve glucose control and thus improve blood sugars and A1C results. In achieving this, you also lower your risk of developing long-term complications.
Having an insulin pump means having more freedom. You can eat when you want and exercise when you want and never have to worry about the insulin you just took getting in the way. There are no more strict schedules, and there's a lot more flexibility in your life. You can live life the way others do!
There are two basic types of insulin pumps, those with tubes and those without.
Do you qualify for pump therapy? You do if:
- You are on multiple injections of insulin
- You are motivated to lower your numbers
- You carefully monitor blood glucose at least four times a day
- You can count or can learn to count carbohydrates
- Your A1C is above 8%
- You feel you are trying hard to keep control, but nothing seems to be working
- You are having frequent low blood sugar episodes
- You are having frequent high sugars
- You lead a busy life and insulin injections are becoming a nuisance
- You are a teenager with changing hormones
- You are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant
If you are interested in more information, or want to look at and "play with" an actual pump, call diabetes educator Sandra Sturgis at 410-968-1200, Ext. 3349.
NOTE: There are some problems with the pumps being authorized by Medicare for Type 2 diabetics. To qualify for a pump from Medicare, you have to be producing little or no insulin on your own. To determine what your status is, ask your doctor to test you. It is done with two simple blood tests in the lab.
For more pump information, visit the following sites: