Insulin pumps are small computerized devices that some people with diabetes use to help control their blood sugar. The insulin pump can be worn on a belt or placed in a pocket.
The insulin pump releases fast-acting insulin into the body through a flexible tube (called a catheter) that can be placed under the skin of the abdomen and held in place.
How an insulin pump works
The insulin pump works continuously according to a programmed schedule unique to each wearer. Patients can change the amount of insulin delivered according to their needs.
The insulin pump delivers small amounts of insulin continuously at different meal times and throughout the night to keep blood glucose within the target range, which is called the “basal infusion rate. An additional dose of insulin can be set in the insulin pump at mealtime – a “push dose” that can be calculated based on the amount of carbohydrate intake to be pushed.
When using an insulin pump, you must check your blood glucose level at least 4 times a day. Once the insulin dose is set, the dose needs to be adjusted based on the food and exercise consumed.
Why is an insulin pump used to treat diabetes?
Some doctors prefer insulin pumps.
Some doctors prefer to recommend an insulin pump because it releases insulin slowly and works like a normal pancreas. Another advantage of an insulin pump is that there is no need to pump metered insulin into a syringe.
There are still inconsistent findings on whether insulin pumps are better than one or more daily insulin injections for glycemic control.