People with type 2 diabetes who inject insulin may ask their doctors some questions about insulin pumps.
How does an insulin pump work?
An insulin pump is a small electronic device (about the size of a cell phone) that pushes fast-acting insulin into the body continuously. The insulin pump comes with a small flexible tube (called a catheter) with a thin needle at the end to be inserted under the skin of the abdomen, where it is held in place with tape. The insulin pump can be worn on a belt or carried in a pocket.
The insulin pump is designed to deliver a continuous dose of insulin 24 hours a day, according to the individual needs of each insulin pump wearer. The wearer can also change the dose of insulin.
A small amount of insulin is infused continuously after dinner and before breakfast the next day to keep blood glucose within the target range. This can be referred to as the basal input rate. A single dose of insulin is delivered at mealtime, and the amount of insulin that needs to be pushed can be calculated based on the amount of carbohydrate in the meal.
While using an insulin pump, monitor blood glucose levels at least 4 times a day. The dose of insulin can be adjusted and set based on food intake and exercise program.
Why should I use an insulin pump to treat my diabetes?
Some health care providers prefer to use an insulin pump to treat diabetes because it releases insulin slowly, similar to how the pancreas releases insulin in the normal state. The results of a large study suggest that insulin pumps are both a safe and valuable treatment option for patients with poor glycemic control.
Another advantage of an insulin pump is that there is no need to infuse insulin into a syringe in order to measure the dose.