Role Of Insulin Pump In Diabetes Management!

Diabetes is very common metabolic disorders. It is estimated that at least 6o to 70 milloin Indians are affected by diabetes. One third to half of the urban Indian adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Diabetes is the most common reason for heart attack, kidney failure, blindness etc. in our country. With right management and tight control of diabetes, many of these complications can be avoided. All patients with type 1 diabetes and large number of patients with type 2 diabetes require multiple daily injections of insulin to control their diabetes. 

Insulin pumps can be used for these patients to minimize fluctuations in blood glucose levels, to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and to avoid multiple daily injections. Insulin pump is a small device which is worn and carried by patient everywhere. It is connected to subcutaneous tissue with tubing and very thin catheter. It has a reservoir which is filled with insulin to be infused continuously for 24 x 7. Insulin pumps can be programmed to inject a different dose of insulin every hour depending on patient’s need. 

With an insulin pump, the patient does not need to inject insulin multiple times but he has just to just give a command to pump and it delivers ordered a dose of insulin immediately in a painless way.

Benefits of insulin pump in diabetes therapy:

1. No need to inject insulin multiple times daily. 
2. Insulin dose can be adjusted for each hour of day as per patient needs. 
3. Fluctuations in blood glucose levels can be minimized. 
4. It provides flexibility in lifestyle. Bolus insulin can be delivered after snacks also for better control of diabetes. 
5. Risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is minimized. 
6. Newer models of insulin pumps can predict impending hypoglycemia and terminate insulin infusion automatically for short period of time.
7. Newer pumps can do continuous blood glucose monitoring as well and alarm patient when blood glucose levels are below or above set limits. 

Drawbacks of insulin pump 

1. It’s costly. Basic pumps cost approximately 2.5 Lakh INR. 
2. Though very small and portable, device has to be carried by patient everywhere. 
3. Patient should be able to understand how to operate pump. 

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!