What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Insulin Pump?
What is an insulin pump? An insulin pump is a small, computerized device that delivers insulin continuously throughout the day. It attempts to mimic the normal pancreas’s release of insulin, but you must tell the pump how much insulin to inject. It delivers insulin in two ways: a basal rate which is a continuous, small trickle of insulin that keeps blood glucose stable between meals and overnight; and a bolus rate, which is a much higher rate of insulin taken before eating to “cover” the food you plan to eat. Effective, safe use of the pump requires: • Commitment to checking blood glucose at least 4 times a day, every day. • Using carbohydrate counting. • Adjusting insulin doses based on blood glucose levels, carbohydrate intake, and physical activity. The main advantages of pump therapy are: • Increased flexibility in lifestyle. • Predictable insulin delivery. • Precise insulin delivery. • Ability to accurately deliver 1/10th of a unit of insulin. • Tighter blood glucose control, whil
