Diabetic insulin pumps are a form of insulin treatment that is used to help regulate insulin in the body continuously without taking out time to inject it individually when needed. Although it is not as widely used as normal insulin injections, many people with diabetes have claimed that the benefits of using an insulin pump are worth it. Some even say it's a more efficient way of stabilizing insulin levels than injecting insulin.

A diabetic insulin pumps works by delivering short doses of fast-acting insulin 24 hours a day through a catheter placed under the skin. Doses are typically separated into three types: basal, bolus, and correctional. Basal insulin is delivered around the clock for stability; bolus insulin treats high blood glucose levels and needs to be adjusted before meals; correctional doses act as a supplement or a backup for the others. Throughout the day, all three work to deliver the insulin needed to keep your blood sugar levels within normal range.

A diabetic insulin pump is comprised of a few different components: a meter with screen display, a catheter, and buttons that adjust the rate of insulin flow. Contrary to what most may think, diabetic insulin pump supplies are quite minimal and rarely expensive. Also, people of any age can benefit from using a diabetic insulin pump for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Pros and Cons of Using a Diabetic Insulin Pump

If you think you could benefit from using a diabetic insulin pump, consider these pros and cons to see whether it's right for you (source: American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org):

Pros:

• Eliminates individual insulin injections
• Delivers insulin more accurately and easily
• More flexibility while eating (insulin adjusts according to your body's signals)
• Permits longer exercise times without the need to consume large amounts of carbohydrates

Cons:

• May cause weight gain
• May cause diabetic ketoacidosis if the catheter comes out and insulin isn't added
• Expensive
• Initial training time will be required in a hospital or outpatient setting to make sure it's used properly

Reviewing these pros and cons with your doctor is the best way to determine whether or not an insulin pump is right for you. In many cases, people tend to find them comfortable and easy to use, as it eliminates the need for individual administration of insulin during the day. It also relieves the burden of working your schedule around insulin by having the insulin pump take care of that for you. At the same time, however, downsides may include the initial discomfort of wearing it every day, to high cost may hinder some from trying it out.

If you have Medicare or another insurance plan, check with them first to see if there are any insulin pumps that can receive coverage. For basic insurance, you may have difficulty qualifying for a free diabetic insulin pump, especially if you are already using another form insulin treatment. If you do receive coverage, you will likely be eligible for heavy discounts or even receive diabetic insulin pump supplies for free.