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The insulin pump, the artificial pancreas and the future in the treatment of diabetes

The insulin pump, the artificial pancreas and the future in the treatment of diabetes

Top Doctors
Top Doctors editorial
Top Doctors
Created by: Top Doctors editorial Sources: Top Doctors CO
Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 26/05/2022

People with diabetes are always aware of the advances in treatments to live with diabetes as smoothly as possible. The insulin pump and artificial pancreas is currently the best known.

The insulin pump

This demonstrated that insulin pumps improves the glycemic control because they descend significantly glycosylated hemoglobin, blood sugar swings, insulin doses used and significant hypoglycemia. However, improving the quality of life of patients. These advantages are proven for all ages, in children and infants also. Well said, it seems that all the Type 1 diabetics should be to pump infusion treatment, but it is not so simple as it seems.

Keep in mind that with infusion pumps only injected insulin action fast ( duration 4 hours ) and the body are connected by a very thin catheter. Well, if the catheter is layered, has a bubble shows, etc., insulin keeps going and ketoacidosis in 5 hours, thus occurs so that the person can lead a pump must be a minimum of 6-7 daily glycemic control and learn how to handle situations of all kinds, namely portions and have extensive knowledge of how to act on the varied circumstances that every day presents ( exercise, fever, alcohol, etc.). That is, by wide learning process and a dose of personal responsibility too high. And not always the professional has the time nor the means to carry out this type of treatment. Another aspect to consider is the short-term costs involved.

The artificial pancreas

Some people think that current you inject insulin pumps on their own without the individual involved. And I always tell my patients¡, No! we use pumps“are silly&rdquo ;, we have to program the insulin should be infused. Well, the artificial pancreas is a pump that goes beyond, are already devices“smart” calculating the dose of insulin ( and glucagon ) to be injected as a function of blood glucose at all times and for that, they need to put the patient has also continued glucose sensor. They are now a reality and they will be sold in no time.

problems come in Millimetre these calculations that should make the sensor catheter and pump being inserted in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, and it is known that glycemic oscillations takes the blood glucose at a variable time reflected in the subcutaneous cellular tissue. That is important in the hypoglycemia, then you can have one that will be produced simply and that is not reflected in the subcutaneous cellular tissue with the speed required by the urgency of the case and therefore the pump will continue releasing insulin. Such security problems are those who are complicating their implementation.

The Future

Looking to the future one thing is clear: People with diabetes are expecting a glucometro you do not puncture the finger&hellip, and much publicity to be in this sense, still has not gotten a reliable gauge. That will be a very important step and I have no doubt that will be achieved. But so far the patients have to follow by becoming glycemia and learn to count carbohydrates and fat to fit snugly bowling. Education is the basis of good control, no doubt, and in the coming times will remain the key.

The artificial pancreas is, in my opinion, an infinite step towards the treatment of diabetes. If it is sold this year or next… longer be¡awesome! The rest, stay completely obscured. & iquest;Arriving widely glucometers coupled to cell phones ?¿That all have glucometers with Bowling calculators ?¿That will get sensors to last longer without having to change them?¿improve the accuracy of the devices? Are also very important steps that will undoubtedly go slowly emerging.

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism