By Jude Roberts
New, improved pumps also have multiple safety
features that ensure against accidental insulin
delivery. All insulin pumps run multiple safety checks
every second and have sensitive alarms that detect
problems such as blocked insulin flow and programming
errors. Because the pumps set off an alarm and “lock up”
in the event of any internal problem, there is virtually
no chance of accidental insulin delivery. They allow for
people with diabetes to effectively deal with changes in
their activity levels, busy schedules, changes in diet,
and changes in blood glucose level because of hormonal
changes. This is one reason why they are being
prescribed with greater frequency for young children and
young adults, since their activity levels and diet
levels change frequently. Although these new pumps work
great, it is still important to continue to take blood
samples in order to monitor your glucose levels. Insulin
pumps tend to be a bit pricey - between $4,000 and
$6,000 - but many insurance plans will cover the cost of
the pump and the supplies that go along with it, greatly
reducing the out-of-pocket expense of a person or
family. Remember that insulin pumps are usually
considered to be “durable medical equipment” to most
insurance companies. The pump companies have people who
will work with your doctor as well as with your
insurance company to try and get everything approved.
Should you not be approved for a pump the first time
around, don’t give up; many insurance companies know
less about these pumps than you do, so stay informed and
educate them if you must, in order to receive what you
need.
New Treatment Options
Insulin Pump Implants - researchers are currently working to
develop an insulin pump which can be permanently implanted to
measure blood sugar levels and deliver the exact amount of
insulin needed. A device such as this would make it
possible to mimic the action of natural insulin delivery.
Insulin Capsule Implant - scientists are making progress with
an insulin capsule which can be implanted to continuously
produce insulin and releases it into the bloodstream. It
contains insulin-secreting cells that borrow nutrients from the
body, allowing it to keep producing insulin indefinitely. One of
the challenges in creating such an implant was to overcome the
natural reaction of the body’s immune system to reject and
destroy a foreign object. Luckily, with the use of microchip
technology, a capsule has been created that will not come under
the attack of the body’s immune system. Before an implant such
as this can be placed on the market, tests must still be done in
order to determine the long-term usage and ideal dosage level
needed to perfect it for general use, which is still several
years away.
Insulin Inhalers - although daily injections of insulin would
still be needed, inhaled insulin is currently in clinical trials
and may be headed for quick approval from the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). These inhalers are about the size of a
flashlight and use a rapid-acting insulin which is sprayed and
inhaled into the mouth. Coating the mouth, throat and tongue,
the insulin is able to pass quickly into the bloodstream.
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