Diabetic Live

Diabetic management relies on proper adherence to dietary lifestyle changes, as well as, traditional diabetic therapy. Maintaining a healthy blood glucose level may not the easiest task, but in the end, can make all the difference in the daily life of a diabetes patient. One method of blood sugar control is insulin pump therapy. This technique requires an effective insulin pump and a knowledgeable and dedicated pump operator. To achieve the best possible results with this method of therapy, consistent glucose monitoring and precise attention to detail is a must.

Adjusting Basal and Bolus Rates
As you begin insulin-pump therapy, your physician will supply you with a target range basal and bolus rate. Your blood glucose levels will change according to stress, eating habits, and life progression in general. All forms of stress can change sugar levels, both positive and negative. While these particular stressors only last for a temporary period of time, they can cause fluctuation, and it is up to you as a patient to check you’re basal and bolus rates to assure that they are correct.

The basal rates should be always checked first. When deciding when to check these rates, choose a day when both your activities and eating habits are somewhat normal. Over the period of one day, the basal flow of insulin contributes to almost half of an individual’s insulin requirement. It is best to start with overnight basal rates. Your evening dose of insulin should be taken no later than six p.m. when determining overnight rates. To start your monitoring, check your blood sugar level approximately four hours after your latest dose. The test can begin if your blood sugar level is in the normal range. It must be stressed that your overnight basal level test cannot be administered until your levels are in the target range. A high reading means that another dose must be taken. If your blood sugar level is on the low end of the spectrum, you must eat to increase it. Once you have reached your target rate, the test administration can begin. First, divide the amount of night hours into testing sections or “windows.” This portion should extend for no more than four hours. A suggested time frame is once in the evening, another at bedtime, and then a last testing during the night. A suitable blood glucose rate should not extend 30 points in range. A fluctuation of blood sugar levels between testing windows suggests that your basal rate should be altered. You should plan to do testing on a few different occasions to be sure that your results are correct.

If you find that your basal rates are in the normal range, but you are still experiencing a fluctuation in blood sugar levels, your bolus insulin dose must be checked. These fluctuations can occur for a number of reasons. A change in weight or size can produce an effect, in addition to insulin resistance. You may also want to consider if you’re eating habits have changed. An increase in portion size may be the cause of glucose level changes. To achieve suitable glucose levels, it is crucial that your daily insulin to carbohydrate ratio is correct. Remember, however, that this ratio may change at different parts of the day. Testing of the bolus dose requires that you check your blood sugar level before a meal. Then administer an insulin dose and eat in a normal manner. The test should be repeated about two hours after you meal. Again, if you find a variation of more than 30 points between the two blood glucose readings, your bolus dose must be adjusted.

Roche markets the disetronic spirit insulin pump as the ACCU-CHEK pump. The ACCU-CHEK pump system includes the following: an insulin pump, a Palm PDA and ACCU-CHEK Pocket compass software, for doing bolus calculations.

The owner of the pump system can secure optional components, such as the ACCU-CHEK blood glucose monitoring system, the ACCU-CHEK insulin pump carrying case and ACCU-CHEK training. The training can be obtained through online instruction, the purchase of a workbook or face-to-face instruction.

Like the optional training, the optional pump carrying case gives the pump wearer yet another opportunity to select from a menu of possibilities. The ACCU-CHEK carrying case can be a plastic clip case, a leather case, a neoprene case or a soft case (designed to carry the pump in a bra or pant leg).

Those who might be considering the purchase of a disetronic spirit insulin pump should know something about the long history behind that pump. The first disetronic insulin pumps came out of a small factory in Bergdorf, Switzerland. A company with only 3 employees produced that first pump in 1984.

In 1991, the first disetronic insulin pump went on sale in the United States. In May of 2003, the company that put out the disetronic insulin pump became part of the Roche Diabetes Care Unit. That change brought together the makers of an excellent pump and experts in delivery of top-rated care for diabetes patients.

The features on the disetronic spirit insulin pump reflect Roche’s commitment to delivery of good care for diabetics. The pump’s three different operating menus help to highlight the important features available on the disetronic spirit insulin pumps. Those menus give the pump wearer the ability to use a program that matches with the requirements and the experience of the diabetic who has chosen to wear the pump.

A diabetes patient who is wearing an insulin pump for the first time should feel comfortable using the operating program with the STANDARD menu. A diabetic who has had more experience with the various buttons and displayed figures on the insulin pump could “graduate” to an ADVANCED menu. A diabetic who has a special requirement might choose to use the program with the CUSTOM menu.

The makers of the disetronic spirit insulin pump realize that the pancreas adds more insulin to the blood stream every 3 minutes. The disetronic pump delivers insulin at the same basal rate. Still, the body can undergo a sudden need for more insulin. For that reason, the disetronic pump contains five basal rate profiles.

By working with those five different basal rate profiles, the wearer of the disetronic insulin pump can call-up 24 variations on the hourly basal rate. The pump wearer can also vary the amount of insulin in the bolus dose. The pump wearer can select from four choices: quick, standard, extended or multi-wave (a dose delivered in two steps).

The makers of the disetronic spirit insulin pump have programmed the pump to perform multiple safety checks every day. When a safety check notes some error in the performance of the pump, it can alert the wearer to that error. The pump has the ability to send clear and explicit error messages.

The disetronic spirit insulin pump comes with an integrated key lock. The diabetes patient can thus feel confident that no unauthorized person will somehow alter the programmed functions on the pump.

Finally, the disetronic spirit pump has tactile buttons. Because the pump has those tactile buttons, a pump wearer can make changes in the settings on the pump by hitting a piece of clothing that is hiding the same pump. The diabetes patient does not need to remove the pump from its holder in order to reprogram the pump.

Made and assembled in Korea, the Sooil Dana Diabecare II Insulin Pump has been approved by the FDA. Distribution of the Diabecare insulin pump in the U.S. began in the year 2001. The makers of the Diabecare pump have created the world’s lightest insulin pump; the pump weighs only 1.8 ounces.

Although quite light, and smaller than a Paradigm pump, the Diabecare pump still has a reservoir that holds up to 300 units of insulin. Moreover, the small size of the pump did not require the pump makers to produce a tiny display screen. The Diabecare pump has a generous amount of space on its screen, although some users have indicated that they would prefer a screen with a better resolution.

By touching the proper icon, the pump wearer can call for display of a program menu on the screen. The screen also displays other important information, such as how much insulin remains in the reservoir. An alarm sounds if the insulin level falls below 20 units. The pump, the alarm and the screen are powered by a single 3.6 volt battery, which lasts two to three months.

The Diabecare pump delivers insulin into the implant every four minutes. The pump wearer can program the basal rate by altering the number of units dispensed during each insulin delivery. The controls have increments of 0.1 units.

The special features on the Diabecare allow the pump wearer to control various other parameters as well. The Diabecare pump has four different bolus programs: normal, default, pre-set and step programming. The pre-set program permits the quick coverage of standard meals.

The Diabecare pump can be set to send out a 30 minute melody reminder after a bolus insulin dose has been delivered. The pump also has a Guided Management pump lockout feature. Using that feature, the pump can be set for use by a child with diabetes.

The makers of the Diabecare pump advertise the low cost of their pump. It costs 20% less than any of the other pumps on the market. Still, those who are planning to purchase a Diabecare pump should know that it requires a Dana infusion set. Due to the presence of a reverse, luer lock connection between the infusion set and the hub, the Diabecare pump will not work with any infusion set other than that made by Dana.

While the holder of a Diabecare pump can not elect to use a different infusion set, he or she does have many choices during the purchase of the Diabecare pump. The pump can be programmed in one of six different languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hebrew and Turkish. The pump also comes in four different colors.

The Diabecare pump has dual microprocessors. Those microprocessors control the continuous cross-checking feature on the Diabecare pump. The pump keeps a close watch on the maximum bolus used, the maximum basal requested, the maximum daily total for insulin, the minimum level in the reservoir, the amount of power remaining in the battery and the possible appearance of a malfunction in the pump, or blockage in the line that carries the insulin.

The Diabecare pump stores the time and date for past settings requested by the pump wearer. The pump stores information on the last 50 boluses, the last 50 daily insulin totals, the last 50 primes and the last 12 alarms.

The screen on the Diabecare pump “sleeps” at night. That feature saves energy. It helps to prolong the lifetime of the battery that is being used to power the Diabecare pump.

The makers of the Diabecare pump did not think only about the power in the battery, they also gave thought to the durability of the pump motor. The Diabecare pump does not contain a motor that was made in Korea. The Korean factory at which the Diabecare pump is assembled puts a Swiss-built DC motor into each of its insulin pumps.

The issues surrounding insurance for insulin pumps reflect the more general issue of health insurance for all patients with diabetes. The companies that offer health insurance promise a policy that can cover unexpected future illnesses. Those companies are not eager to sell a health insurance policy to a patient with diabetes.

Unlike the insurance companies, the government tends to focus on lowering the amount of money that consumers must spend on health care. A recent study has found that diabetes ranks number seven among the 10 most expensive medical conditions in the United States. Adequate insurance coverage for patients with insulin pumps could help to give diabetes a much lower ranking.

At the present time, a diabetic who works for a large company in the U.S should have little trouble getting insurance that would cover the cost of an insulin pump. Health insurers must agree to provide reimbursement for the costs of employees with pre-existing medical conditions. Private insurers can be more “choosey.”

For a while, those diabetics who could afford to pay for private health insurance could not get such insurance, because private companies would not cover them. Now some states in the U.S have major medical risk pools. Those states purchase a group health insurance plan. A diabetic can buy health insurance from such a plan, if he or she is willing to pay the slightly higher price.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) helps those diabetics who have lost a job, and have thus lost medical coverage. Jobless diabetics can purchase coverage from the same health insurance company that covered them in a recent job, even though they have a pre-existing condition.. That coverage can remain in effect for up to 29 months.

Patients with diabetes have also been helped by passage of the Health Insurance Portability Act. That act limits the ability of any insurance company to deny coverage to someone with a pre-existing condition. In addition, some states have specific Diabetes Insurance Coverage Laws. Such laws can require coverage for diabetes education, diabetes supplies and diabetes nutritional therapy.

The use of an insulin pump demands the willingness to attend the mandatory training. Training sessions normally take place under the guidance of a diabetes educator. The educator helps with pump set-up, with the process for delivery of bolus insulin doses and with changes in the pump infusion set.

A good health insurance policy should cover the many possible problems that can plague the life of a patient with diabetes, should that patient decide to wear an insulin pump. The pump could run out of batteries. The pump’s infusion set could become clogged or dislodged. The tube carrying the insulin could become kinked or clogged. The insertion site could become irritated or infected.

A good health insurance policy should cover both the cost of the insulin pump ($5,000 to $6,000) and the cost of monthly treatments (about $480). A patient with diabetes needs a top quality health plan. Diabetes patients in the U.S can consult the Department of Health and Human Services about the quality of the various health plans to which they might have access. A wise patient bases his or her selection at least partly on the quality of health care expected through any health provider.

In addition, once a patient has obtained health insurance, that patient can limit the costs of any hospital stay by communicating with doctors and nurses. A patient with diabetes ought to learn how any of his or her medications might affect the body’s blood glucose level. The patient should also find out what the acceptable blood sugar level is for a diabetic who is confined to a hospital bed.

When a patient with diabetes is in the hospital, tight blood glucose control should be a priority for all concerned. For that reason, the patient should request a “self management order,” a paper that gives the patient the freedom to control the course of his or her own diabetes treatment.

The Minimed Paradigm 522 insulin pump is designed to assist individuals to control their diabetes more efficiently. A person that cannot manage their disease with diet and exercise alone may need insulin injections. This device allows an individual the freedom and mobility that straight injections may not provide. The Minimed Paradigm 522 has several features and benefits that are necessary and helpful in managing their diabetes. This machine is the very first insulin pump designed with real-time options. This technique will allow a person to continue to monitor their glucose levels every second of the day. An individual will never worry about their sugar levels with this handy device. A person will never have to prick themselves with a needle to check their blood sugar levels; they will know exactly how their system is doing as well as monitor how well medication and diet is helping the glucose levels.

The features of the Minimed Paradigm 522 are plentiful. The device comes with a comprehensive user guide that can explain in detail each feature that is present. An individual will be able to setup their machine within a few minutes. This is a hassle-free method in maintaining a person’s diabetes.

1. A glucose censor determines the blood sugar levels throughout the day. This is a painless process that can conclude if the levels are in a safe range.
2. This product is small as well as lightweight. An individual may even forget that the insulin pump is working around the clock.
3. The Minimed Paradigm 522 is completely rechargeable. An individual would not have to spend large amounts of money replacing batteries every few weeks. A half recharge can last up to 3 days non-stop. When it is fully recharged, a person can have the freedom of their machine for around 14 days.
4. This device prides itself on the real-time features that it possesses. There are certain levels of readings, alarms and information that anyone needs to be aware of for their diabetes.
5. It is completely customizable for an individual’s special needs. A person will be able to calculate their desired bolus dose, change their rate ranges as well as restore lost settings.
6. The alarms are plentiful. An individual will be able to know when the medicine is running out, when the blood sugar levels are too high or too low and when the battery is almost depleted. This can be set to beep or vibrate. It is suggested while sleeping to set the device to beep.

The benefits for the Minimed Paradigm 522 are fantastic. An individual will be able to control their diabetes with a few simple adjustments for a person’s specific body type. The machine will allow everyone the freedom to live life without worrying about their insulin injections.

1. The Minimed Paradigm 522 is completely wireless. An individual will never be concerned about messy wires or hookups again.
2. This machine is waterproof for 30 minutes. A person will be able to swim, take a bath or shower without distressing about their insulin pump.
3. An individual can obtain software for records, uploading information or keeping track of the blood sugar levels. This is an excellent method in showing the health care provider records and information they need to know.
4. The Minimed Paradigm 522 can be obtained in 4 different colors. This is a fantastic technique to be able to match a person’s style and personality.
5. This product is equipped with a remote control. This will allow an individual privacy when adjusting their insulin pump.
6. An individual will be able to contact a trained professional 24 hours a day. If a person has any questions or concerns about their machine, they can get the assistance right away.

The Minimed Paradigm 722 insulin pump is a real-time system. An individual will be able to control and manage their diabetes better than before. When diet and exercise alone cannot control ones diabetes and they need insulin injections, this machine is for them. With an insulin pump, a person will have the freedom and privacy to manage their insulin like never before. The real-time options can assist a person in checking their blood sugar levels without pricking their finger. These selections monitor the glucose levels throughout the day. It can give up-to-date readings. When a person is beginning a new regiment with medicine and diet, checking blood sugar levels often is vital. However, the old fashioned way can be bothersome as well as painful. The Minimed Paradigm 722 system can relieve this problem. There are several benefits and features associated with this insulin pump.

When an individual first obtains this machine, they may be overwhelmed with all the options. The insulin pump comes with an extensive user guide to explain all the settings in detail. This machine can be setup in a matter of a few minutes. The features of the Minimed Paradigm 722 insulin pump are as follows:

1. The product is small as well as lightweight. An individual will have no problem keeping the device hidden from view. The screen is easy to read, especially for individuals that have poor eyesight.
2. This device monitors an individual’s blood sugar levels throughout the day. Every 5 minutes a new reading will appear. This will assist in being completely sure that the levels are in a safe range.
3. The Minimed Paradigm 722 is equipped with graphs that allow a person to see which way the direction of the glucose is moving.
4. This machine has a bolus calculator. The device will suggest the correct dose for a person’s unique settings as well as food intake.
5. Alarms are present in this insulin pump. A person will know exactly when their medicine is running low, their battery is almost dead or when their settings are incorrect. The insulin pump can beep or vibrate. It is suggested that when an individual is sleeping, they use the beeping method.
6. The machine checks for mistakes and has a safety feature that protects the individual throughout the day. This technique is constantly monitoring an individual’s system and will alert when a problem arises.

The benefits for the Minimed Paradigm 722 are plentiful. An individual will be able to customize this machine to their personal style and personality.

1. This machine can come in 4 colors. This will allow for originality and personal style. An individual can match their clothing, purse or even their beloved pet.
2. A person will have the freedom to swim, shower or take a bath without concern that the machine will be ruined. This device can be immerged in water for up to 30 minutes.
3. Batteries can be fairly expensive. However, the Minimed Paradigm 722 is rechargeable. With a full charge, the device can work for about 14-days non-stop.
4. For added privacy, an individual can obtain a remote control. This option allows a person to change their setting without drawing attention to their insulin pump.
5. An individual will receive 24 hours a day customer support. These individuals are trained professional willing to assist in any questions or concerns a person may have.
6. Software services are available as well. An individual can use their PC to keep records and progress of their therapy. This is also an excellent method in showing an individual’s doctor reports each visit.

The Animas IR-1000 is designed for individuals that need insulin. Diabetes cannot always be controlled by diet and exercise. Sometimes injections are a part of life. However, an insulin pump can be a wonderful method in controlling and maintaining an individual’s diabetes. These machines are designed to pump insulin into the body when a person needs it the most. There are several functions and benefits associated with the Animas IR-1000 insulin pump. The product comes with a straightforward user guide that will allow an individual to become familiar with the device quickly. These manuals can also be found on the internet as well. Programming the Animas IR-1000 is a simple process and can be easily achieved. Within minutes, a person can begin using their new machine.

The Animas Corporation is a leading manufacturer of insulin pumps. There are several models available to choose from. An individual will have various functions to program for their body type and special needs. The functions are as follows:

1. The Animas IR-1000 has a smaller display screen than their other products. Nevertheless, the scroll buttons are large and will make it simple to move between options.

2. This machine is fairly light weight with the battery as well as the cartridge in place. An individual will be able to carry it with them at all times without any hassle.

3. The cartridge for this machine can hold up to 300 units of insulin. This holds more medicine than others of this style.

4. This device can be programmed up to 4 different rates of basal. As well as an override system. An individual should discuss the basal and bolus rates with their medical care provider.

5. The Animas IR-1000 performs large amounts of safety checks each minute. This will allow an individual the protection they deserve from a malfunction or a mistake in programming.

6. There are several alarms in place to assist an individual. A person will be able to know exactly when the battery is running low, when the cartridge needs to be replaced or when the proper medication has not be dispensed because of glucose levels.

7. This machine requires 4, 1.5v oxide batteries. When they begin to run low, an alarm will sound.

The Animas IR-1000 has several benefits that an individual can use to make their lifestyle simpler. These options will allow a person to customize and control their diabetes more efficiently. The benefits are as follows:

1. The Animas IR-1000 has a self-explanatory menu system. An individual will never have to program hard to remember pieces of information. It is a drop-down box that is simple to control.

2. An individual is able to download their personal information and records to their PC without much effort. This is a wonderful method in keeping track of information that can be shown to the medical provider.

3. This device can be completely customizable. An individual will be able to find different styles and themes of insulin pump covers.

4. The Animas IR-1000 is completely waterproof for up to 12 hours. An individual will have the freedom to swim or shower without worry of the machine.

5. Static electricity is not a problem with this insulin pump. It has a coating to make sure that this does not short out or harm the pump in any way.

6. An individual will obtain 24 hour a day customer support. These individuals are medically trained professionals. A person can contact them any time day or night with a questions or concern they may have.

7. The Animas IR-1000 is equipped with a white light. This is designed for an individual that may have trouble seeing or in a darkly lit environment.

Published by diabetic live.

The Animas IR-1200 insulin pump is designed for individuals that need insulin injections throughout the day. The kinds of machines that are used to assist a person in controlling their diabetes are plentiful. However, the Animas Corporation is a leading manufacturer in this type of product. It can be difficult to control diabetes with all of the information that needs to be remembered. Diet and exercise alone may not always be enough. Some people may have problems giving themselves injections or remembering to do so. The Animas IR-1200 insulin pump will allow an individual a choice in their diabetes regiment. There are several benefits and features that the Animas IR-1200 provides to the consumer.

This type of insulin pump is simple to use and straightforward to program. The product is presented with easy to understand instructions. The features for the Animas IR-1200 series are as follows:

1. This type of insulin pump is fairly small as well as light weight.
2. Even though the product is tiny, the display screen can be easily seen. This is helpful for individuals that have a difficult time seeing as well as less scrolling through the options.
3. The Animas IR-1200 is equipped with a lithium battery. An individual may also use an alkaline battery as well. The machine is energy efficient. A Lithium battery could last for approximately 8 weeks while the alkaline remains active for approximately 3 weeks.
4. It is completely configurable to an individual’s special needs.
5. The Animas IR-1200 has a menu to change the Bolus and Basal settings. A medical professional will discuss the proper adjustments according to a person’s requirements.
6. This machine can calculate carbohydrates in various forms.
7. It has several reminder features as well.

The Animas IR-1200 series has several benefits to assist in various aspects of their diabetic needs. A person can literally let this machine take control of a person’s diabetes. There are options an individual can set that will allow them the freedom to forget that they are equipped with an insulin pump until they need to change the batteries or an option. The benefits for the Animas IR-1200 are as follows:

1. This insulin pump is waterproof for up to 24 hours. A person will have the freedom to swim and still obtain the required amount of insulin they need.
2. Several alarms are present in the Animas IR-1200 series. These warning signs allow a person to know when the battery is almost dead, when the cartridge is just about empty as well as other safeguard systems. The safeguarding techniques can be helpful if an option is regulated incorrectly.
3. The alarms can be customized to an individual’s preference. As well as a vibrating feature. It is suggested that when sleeping, the alarm is not set to vibrate.
4. This insulin pump has around-the-clock customer service. If an individual has a question or a problem with their machine, a trained professional can assist them.
5. The instructions are step-by-step for simple configuration.
6. An individual will be able to customize the appearance of the insulin pump to their liking. Several styles and colors are available. This is fantastic to be able to display the insulin pump in any design imaginable.

The Animas IR-1200 is a fabulous tool that can be a comfort for individuals that have diabetes. It is important to remember to follow all instructions to a tee and follow the doctor’s orders. If any questions arise, ask them right away through the customer service number or a personal medical professional. The machine is designed for complete customization and can be a wonderful means of controlling diabetes.

The Animas Corporation is a leading supplier of insulin pumps. These products are designed for individuals that must take insulin for their diabetes. A person can use these devices to control and maintain their insulin intake with a few easy to follow steps. The Animas IR-1250 insulin pump has several benefits and features that will allow an individual to obtain insulin without much effort. This type of product is still on the market today with glowing responses. An individual can acquire this machine and begin using it right away. The Animas IR-1250 comes with simple to understand instructions that can assist anyone with setting up their machine quickly.

In 2005, the Animas Corporation publicly announced that the IR-1250 model of insulin pumps had a bug in the programming. It was brought to their attention because of a complaint from a consumer. They stated that the meter was not functioning properly. The corporation then discovered that other problems were occurring, such as the alarm functions. They volunteered a recall of these items in the best interest of their patients. Nevertheless, no adverse or harmful effects were ever reported. A couple of months later, the Animas Corporation fixed the bug and replaced all of the defected machines.

There are several functions that the Animas IR-1250 presents. A detailed user manual is packaged with the machine for simple convenience. However, this same guide can be found around the internet as well. The functions for the Animas IR-1250 are as follows:

1. This machine is small and light weight for added convenience.
2. The batteries for this device can be a lithium or alkaline. An Animas IR-1250 insulin pump is energy efficient. These batteries can last for up to 8 weeks at a time.
3. An individual will be able to set up several programs with the basal rates as well as the bolus rates. These are determined by the individual’s personal needs. A medical professional will assist in this matter.
4. Various types of alarms can be found on the Animas IR-1250 device. These can include low insulin, over medicated and low battery alarms. They are user configured and can be set to vibrate. However, it is suggested that a person does not set this to vibrate during sleep.
5. Several calculators are present within the device. A person will be able to count carbs, set up an on-the-go meal plan and correct bolus rates. This is a fantastic feature that assists a person to plan ahead as well as remember their food intake.
6. The display screen is large enough to read with poor eyesight as well as less scrolling.

The benefits of the Animas IR-1250 are plentiful. There are several options that a person can use to customize their insulin pump to their personal tastes.

1. The device is waterproof for up to 24 hours. An individual will be able to swim or shower without any worries about harming the pump.
2. An individual will be able to change the appearance of the machine. It comes in several styles and colors for a person’s unique tastes.
3. The Animas Corporation has a 24 hour a day helpline. These trained medical professionals can assist in any questions or concerns one may have about the product.
4. There is a download and upload service that a person can use to obtain different alarm sounds, keep personal information, program basal options and store the pump settings. This is a fantastic method in keeping important information secure as well as more customizable options for an individual’s personal style.