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Insulin Planning
What are Insulin Pumps (Medtronic, Tandem T-slim, Omnipod)?
An insulin pump is a computerized device that delivers supplemental insulin to patients with diabetes. Patients with Type 1 diabetes, in particular, can benefit from this technology. Insulin pump gives more control to a patient to help improve their blood glucose levels.
There are several other ways to get insulin, such as daily self-injections of insulin, insulin pen, in-Pen system, V-go, and inhaled insulin.
How does an insulin pump work?
An insulin pump is a sophisticated automated gadget that conveys insulin-like your actual pancreas would do. The insulin pumps are about the size of a deck of cards, worn external to the body, and usually attached to your pocket, belt, bra, or armband.
An insulin pump has a tube called a cannula that reaches out from it into your body, ordinarily in a layer of fat over your stomach. The pump holds your supplemental insulin and deliveries it as dictated by the settings in the pump. If you need help to figure out how to use an insulin pump, consider contacting District Endocrine.
What is a glucose sensor or continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMs) such as Freestyle Libre, Dexcom, or Guardian?
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a gadget that checks your glucose levels every few minutes and displays your blood sugars in a graphical form. This helps to reduce or eliminate finger testings of blood glucose. These devices enable patients with diabetes to take control of their diabetes and result in an incredible improvement in diabetes care. CGMs help alarm patients if their blood glucose is too high or too low, which helps prevent glucose fluctuations.
A glucose sensor is attached to the skin. The sensor then sends information about your glucose levels to an outer receiver, a separate device, or your smartphone. Several CGMs utilize a remote application that can transmit this information to your phone, smartwatch, or even to your doctor.
The data from CGMs helps to assist with your insulin regimen. Before these devices were widely accessible, most of the patients with diabetes depended on fingerstick glucose. Hence, CGMs give convenience and improve quality of life. The majority of the Medicare and private insurances cover CGMs with an affordable co-pay. Since the glucose sensor is placed onto your body, it should be intermittently checked to ensure it has not moved out of position.
How do insulin pumps and CGMs work together?
An insulin pump helps control the delivery of supplemental insulin you need in place of several daily insulin injections. With recent advancements in technology, glucose monitoring systems can integrate their data into an insulin pump. The newer insulin pumps have artificial intelligence built-in, which can autonomously control insulin delivery to correct hyperglycemia or prevent hypoglycemia. This function is very close to the actual pancreas.
If you have questions regarding insulin pump or glucose sensor (CGMs), plan a visit to District Endocrine. Please make an appointment by calling our office or book via the online website.
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