Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a condition in which the pancreas cannot produce the hormone insulin. As a result, the body cannot use sugar correctly; unused sugar accumulates in the blood, leading to serious complications. The first insulin pumps became available in the mid-1980s. Today's pumps consist of a reservoir of insulin and a small, programmable pump that continuously delivers insulin under the skin. Insulin pumps eliminate the need for daily injections, allow insulin therapy that is tailored to a patient's lifestyle and may improve patients' control of their blood sugar. However, several side effects may occur.
HypoglycemiaIf the patient using an insulin pump incorrectly programs the pump to deliver too much insulin, the level of sugar in the blood will become too low. If this occurs, the patient has hypoglycemia--abnormally low levels of sugar in the blood. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include dizziness, lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. In patients who are "pumpers" (users of insulin pumps), this mistake may occur in several ways. Patients may input the incorrect amount of insulin used for eating a meal. They may give themselves multiple boluses of insulin (specific doses of insulin used to account for a meal or snack) over a short period of time; if this occurs, the combined amount of insulin may be too much and lead to hypoglycemia. If patients give themselves insulin and then go exercise, this combination may also lead to hypoglycemia.
KetoacidosisKetoacidosis is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when levels of sugar in the blood become abnormally high. This is a known complication of insulin pumps and can occur if, for a variety of reasons, delivery of insulin is interrupted. For instance, if the tubing that is inserted under the skin becomes kinked or twisted, insulin cannot be delivered under the skin. Another potential reason for interrupted insulin delivery is that the insertion site (the place on the body--usually the abdomen, upper arms, upper legs, or buttocks--where the tubing delivering the insulin is inserted) is scarred so Cocktailjurken that the insulin does not absorb well. If a person takes off the pump and forgets to reconnect it, insulin will not be delivered, and ketoacidosis could develop.
Site Insertion-RelatedOne of the difficult aspects of using an insulin pump is that the insulin must be delivered under the skin, often via clear tubing that is inserted using a needle that is quickly inserted with the tubing, then removed, so only the tubing remains under the skin. The tubing must be replaced every 2 to 3 days. The point at which the tubing is placed under the skin is called the insertion site, and several side effects of insulin pumps relate to this site. There is the risk of bleeding and bruising at the site--if the insertion of the tubing is done at an incorrect angle, bleeding under the skin can lead to Korte Avondjurken bruises. If an area is repeatedly used as an insertion site--for instance, the abdomen is often used to provide the best absorption of insulin--a small area of scar tissue can form at the site. Perhaps the most serious side effect related to the insertion site is that of infection: every time a needle is inserted into the skin, there is the risk of bacteria entering the site and causing infection. In severe cases, this could lead to formation of an abscess, which is a collection of pus surrounded by a region of inflammation.
Psychosocial/LifestyleSome of the side effects of the insulin pump for diabetics are not medical, but are just as important to take into account. One significant aspect of insulin-pump wearing is the sense of self-consciousness. Whereas a person who uses insulin injections could discreetly give an injection (in another room. for example), the pump user is a bit more "in the spotlight," and this may be uncomfortable. In addition, certain changes in lifestyle may accompany pump-wearing. Women wearing a pump may find that dresses are harder, though not impossible, to wear. Both men and women may be unsure how to deal with intimacy and pump-wearing. Finally, the performance of Korte Avondjurken certain sports, such as swimming, might have to be changed--most pumps are not waterproof. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web site-many of the advertisements are served by third party advertising companies.
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