pump IT UP

DL mag dietitian and diabetes Pea Dr Kate Marsh, explains how an insulin pump works, the pros and cons of insulin pump therapy and what's on the market

What is an insulin pump?

An insulin pump is a small device designed to continuously deliver insulin to the body and can be used in place of insulin injections. They provide an alternative way of giving insulin for people living with insulin-treated diabetes, particularly those with type 1. Pumps vary in size but are smaller than a mobile phone, and are worn outside the body, on your belt or waistband, in your pocket or in a pouch underneath your clothes. The pump delivers insulin through a very narrow flexible tube which is attached to a small cannula inserted under your skin. You program the pump to give insulin a small steady dose throughout the day basal rate) and an extra amount bolus) when you eat.

A pump may help you to:

improve blood glucose management.

have more flexibility around eating and mealtimes, allowing you to vary your mealtimes, sleep in or even skip meals more easily than with injections.

adjust your insulin around exercise more easily, by allowing you to suspend the pump or set a reduced basal rate or higher target glucose level prior to, during and/or after exercise.

deal with a dawn rise” blood glucose levels that rise early in the morning even without eating) by allowing you to deliver a higher amount of insulin at this time.

give insulin discreetly when you are eating out or with others.

reduce the risk of hypos, especially when combined with continuous glucose monitoring CGM).

Considerations before switching to a pump

While there are many benefits to insulin pumps, they don’t work on their own and still need regular input from the user to work effectively. This includes monitoring your blood glucose levels and giving regular bolus doses via the pump when you eat or if your blood glucose levels are above your target range, and changing your infusion sets regularly usually every 2 to 3 days).