Insulin pump therapy can offer you a more flexible lifestyle. The benefits and disadvantages are things to consider when making the decision to switch to an insulin pump. Liberty Medical

1. DIABETES
EDUCATION
Insulin pump
therapy can
offer you a
more flexible
lifestyle.
For people with type 1 diabetes and for
some with type 2 diabetes who take insulin,
the management of your diabetes with
multiple injections of insulin can sometimes
seem to get in the way of the how you’d like
to live your life. If you find yourself looking
for a better way to control your blood
glucose and have more freedom, maybe the
insulin pump is a good choice for you.
What is an insulin pump?
It is a device which delivers a continuous
dose of insulin through a small soft plastic
tube inserted under your skin. The pump can
be connected and disconnected for bathing,
and other activities, it is not “permanently
attached”. Most pumps are small, about the
size of a cell phone or pager, and are worn
outside of the body, often attached to a belt
or placed in a pocket. The pump gives you
a small continuous amount of insulin 24
hours a day; this is called the basal dose.
The pump simulates the working of an
effectively functioning pancreas. Since
your blood glucose rises after eating, you
need an additional amount of insulin to
help control the blood glucose when you
eat. You will use the pump to deliver extra
doses of insulin at mealtimes in order to
keep your blood glucose from going too
high. This is called a bolus dose. There are
special features in the insulin pump that can
be activated for special circumstances such
as doing exercise, when you may need less
insulin, or eating a prolonged meal. You
still get to make the decisions about how
much insulin is delivered by the pump and
you will have to check your blood glucose
several times a day.
What are the benefits of using
an insulin pump?
Insulin pump therapy can offer you a
more flexible lifestyle. A study called the
Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
showed that in those people with diabetes
who were able to keep their blood glucose
at near-normal levels with intensive
therapy, the risk of developing some of
the complications of diabetes was greatly
decreased. The A1C levels of those who
used the insulin pump in the last year of
that trial decreased. The insulin pump is
a tool which can help you to keep your
blood glucose in good control and avoid
some of the health issues that may come
with diabetes over time. According to a
follow-up study, good blood glucose control
can not only increase the quality but also
the length of your life. With the use of
an insulin pump, you avoid the multiple
injections needed when you are on a basal-
bolus routine with insulin by injection.
Since you are in control of the amount of
insulin that you get through your pump,
you are able to make adjustments when
your need for insulin may be increased
or decreased such as eating more or less
food, illness, and engaging in various
levels of activity. The use of an insulin
pump has been shown to decrease the risk
of low blood glucose at night or when
you are engaging in physical activity or
exercise. Using an insulin pump can offer
you improved blood glucose control, more
freedom, more convenience, more control
and a better quality of life.
About Insulin Pump
Therapy: At a Glance
insulin pump therapy

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Insulin pump
therapy takes
commitment
on your part;
it is not just a
“put it on and
go” deal.
Are there disadvantages to using
an insulin pump?
• Insulin pump therapy takes commitment
on your part; it is not just a “put it on and
go” deal. You will need to learn how pump
therapy works and in particular, how the
pump that you choose functions. There
are still steps that you will need to do on
a regular basis to assure that your blood
glucose stays in target range and that
your pump is working appropriately. You
will need to check your blood glucose a
minimum of 4 times a day and enter data
into the pump in order to assure the correct
insulin dose.
• Having an insulin pump can be expensive
even if you are covered by insurance.
Each plan is different and you may be
responsible for certain expenses associated
with pump use.
• You may notice some weight gain when
you start to use an insulin pump. At first
this may be due to better blood glucose
control but remember that with insulin
pump therapy comes more freedom with
eating. You may be able to eat more,
especially carbohydrates, and still keep
your blood glucose in target. Extra
calories, if not balanced with extra activity,
will cause weight gain.
• There are some complications that can
occur including a serious condition
called diabetic ketoacidosis if your pump
becomes disconnected and you don’t
receive insulin for several hours. Most
people feel that the benefits of using an
insulin pump outweigh the disadvantages
but the decision is up to you. Talk to your
health care provider if you think insulin
pump therapy might be an option for you.
Remember
• Give you better overall blood
glucose control and help you to
avoid some complications that can
come with diabetes over time
• Be used by both children and
adults
• Make you feel better and add
quality and length to your life
• Offer flexibility and give you more
control over how what and when
you choose to eat and exercise
• Decrease the episodes of low
blood glucose especially at night
and during exercise
• Add cost to your treatment plan
you may notice some weight gain;
seeing a dietitian can help
Insulin pump therapy can:
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