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Diabetics know how unpleasant the multiple daily insulin shots can be. Unfortunately, these shots are life-savers, so you can't skip them. But science and technology are constantly advancing and one of the results is the creation of insulin pumps – small devices that deliver pre-defined doses of insulin throughout the day. Essentially, insulin pumps imitate the functions of the pancreas and release a small amount of insulin at regular intervals, thus keeping the blood glucose levels steady.
Insulin pumps are slowly becoming more and more popular and even despite their high price (over $5,000 + $2-3,000 a year in supplies), it is expected that more and more diabetics will turn to using them because the health benefits of an insulin pump are really many. In some countries the government pays for insulin pumps and consumables (especially for Type 1 diabetes) and this certainly helps to increase their popularity. In addition to injecting insulin into the body, insulin pumps constantly monitor the blood glucose level, so actually they function as a glucometer as well. Insulin pumps are more effective than insulin shots because you get your insulin exactly when the body needs it. Most models of insulin pumps report you when and how much insulin has been injected, so you are not left in the dark but can control your insulin infusion. You can also program basal rates and bolus rates. Basal rates are the constant amounts of insulin you get, while bolus rates are instant larger doses, which are generally taken before a meal. Yes, with an insulin pump you have the freedom to eat whenever you want! For many people the drawback of insulin pumps is that they have to be with you all the time. Yes, if you travel a lot, this can be a problem. There are small size pumps (the size of a pages or even smaller) that are ultra portable but they are more expensive. Still, even a conventional insulin pump can be worn in a pocket, on your belt or under your bra, so it does not take that much space. Even if you are a sports freak, you don't have to separate from your insulin pump. Battery life is one of the weak points of insulin pumps. Most batteries need to be recharged every day, which is a significant inconvenience. Also, the infusion set site needs to be changed every 2 or 3 days, so if you dream of a device that will require no maintenance, insulin pumps are not (yet) this. Still, it is firmly believed that insulin pumps are the future in diabetes treatment and you can bet that sooner or later you will get an insulin pump.
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