Global Courant
One of the most difficult parts of living with diabetes is the constant battle to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It’s even more difficult if you’re administering insulin with multiple daily injections. That’s where an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) can provide significant benefits.
Insulin pumps and how they work
An insulin pump is a pager-sized device that automatically delivers a constant amount of insulin 24/7, just like a normal, healthy pancreas. The insulin is given through an infusion set – a small disposable needle and soft tube – which is inserted about 1/8″ under the skin, usually in the abdomen, where it remains for 2-3 days. During that time, the pump provides continuous dose of insulin called a “basal rate,” which keeps your blood sugar in the desired range between meals and at night. During meals, or when your glucose levels get too high, you can get a “bolus” of extra insulin just by pressing a knob.
What’s so great about an insulin pump?
Insulin pumps help maintain near-normal glucose control with fewer hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes. And pumps often make it easier to lower A1c levels. An A1c is a measure of glucose control over a 2-3 month period and the recommended guideline is 7% or less for diabetics. The lower the A1c, the more likely you are to avoid diabetes-related complications and live a longer, healthier life.
Keep even tighter control with a continuous glucose monitor
To maintain lower A1c levels, you need to know where your blood sugar is at all times and respond accordingly to stay within a normal range. Anyone with diabetes knows that’s virtually impossible. But continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) make it a lot easier. A CGM provides continuous “real-time” blood glucose readings. This tells you when your blood sugar is rising or falling so you know whether to take insulin or eat. Alarms warn you when you go too far in either direction. As a result, you can stay within a normal range much more often than simply relying on conventional fingersticks. In fact, clinical studies have already shown this.
How does a CGM system work?
CGMs use a small sensor inserted under the skin to monitor glucose levels in tissue fluid. The sensor remains in place for about a week and then needs to be replaced. A transmitter in the sensor sends information about glucose readings to a wireless beeper-sized receiver, where results are displayed every 3-5 minutes. However, because these devices are not as accurate as standard blood glucose meters, glucose readings must be confirmed with a meter before any change in treatment is made. Data from a CGM can be downloaded to a computer to track and analyze patterns and trends. By looking at these, you and your doctor can be more proactive in optimizing blood sugar control.
Whether you choose an insulin pump, a continuous glucose meter, or both, most people have a much higher chance of having improved glucose control, leading to a better quality of life – and ideally a longer one, too.
Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Meters – Better diabetes control at your fingertips
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