Insulin Pumps in India
Insulin Pumps have been available in India for nearly a decade now. Companies such as Medtronic have complete support systems in place for their Minimed Paradigm Insulin Pumps. Not only are they available in large metros but even in smaller cities and towns, depending upon the proximity to a large metro.
Diabetes will be an epidemic in India by the year 2020. Experts say 1 in 5 Indians will be diabetic by 2020. With increased stress, poor lifestyle habits and bad genes, Indians are more prone to Diabetes than anyone else.
Once detected with Diabetes, it stays for life. Then on, it’s all about good glucose control. The better your control, the longer and healthier your life.
Uncontrolled sugar levels can lead to multiple complications such as glaucoma, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, sexual problems etc.
When the body’s pancreas give way, it’s time to move over mere oral medication and externally inject Insulin. Which means sugar control is the all the more difficult.
The Insulin Pump is probably the only device which can assure great control to Insulin dependant Diabetes patients, over and above other Insulin Infusion/Injection Devices. Not only do they provide the best control, they even help you lead a flexible and hassle free life, since Insulin Pumps provide pre loaded basal doses automatically. Apart from that, there is the freedom from multiple daily pricks. With Insulin Pumps, ideally you need around 10 pricks a month. In our country, where the diet is carbohydrate heavy, boluses can be taken accordingly, discreetly and at the touch of a button.
The greatest advantage in a country like India, where Diabetes or any chronic ailment as for that matter could be a taboo, is the discreetness of the device. It looks like a mobile phone and can comfortably hide below your clothes or in your pocket.
Unlike insulin shots with syringes, pump infusion sites need to be changed less frequently. Scientific evidence from published studies have proven added benefit of insulin pumps in improving quality of life, normalizing sugars in recalcitrant diabetes, improving sexual function, and relieving the intractable pain of neuropathy.
Currently, there are a few thousand Diabetics on Insulin Pumps in India. Many of them bought them from outside the country, after they were pleasantly surprised seeing diabetics in developed countries lead a life of great sugar control and minimum pricks.
There is very poor awareness of Insulin Pumps in India among doctors and patients alike. A lot of myths about Insulin Pumps will be answered in this blog. Insulin Pump companies are also slowly and steadily increasing awareness of the benefits of the Insulin Pump Therapy.
In the western world, pumps are commonly used by Type 1 diabetic patients, whereas in India 80% of pumpers are Type 2 diabetics.
The global Insulin Pump Market is expected to double by 2016 with an increasing aging population, obesity, and increased patient awareness.
Managing Blood Sugar- Insulin Pumps
Diabetes is a condition where your body is unable to control the blood sugar levels due irregular insulin production in the body. What does that mean? To control your blood sugar, your body produces insulin. In diabetic patients your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, so your blood sugar levels are higher than normal. This increase blood sugar levels has a variety of negative effects on your health.
To control diabetes, patients control their diet, but this only leads to limited control of blood sugar. And even though your fasting blood sugar levels might make it seem like its in control. But through the day, your blood sugar levels are going all over the place- That’s the part that is dangerous for you! Keeping your blood sugar level as close to the normal range is important in minimizing the complications that can result after years of diabetes.
So, how do you really control your blood sugar levels?
An Insulin Pump.
What is the Insulin Pump?
The insulin pump is the latest advancement in technology for controlling diabetes. Developed by medical world leader, Medtronic- Its a small device (size of an mp3 player) that continuosly monitors your blood glucose levels and as required delivers insulin to manage your glucose levels.
An insulin pump is a useful device for achieving this control, especially in patients who have a drop in blood sugar during the night, an erratic work schedule requiring flexible therapy, or inadequate control with other methods. An insulin pump is made up of a pump reservoir (like regular insulin syringe, but bigger) filled with regular insulin, a small battery-operated pump and a computer chip that allows the user to control exactly how much inuslin the pump delivers. It is all contained in a plastic case about the size of a beeper.
Medtronic Insulin Pump Device
More about the insulin pump:
It delivers insulin in two ways: continuously at a low dose and rapidly in a larger dose. The low dose is delivered every few minutes 24 hours a day to maintain a “basal” level of insulin, as the pancreas does in people without diabetes. Maintaining a low level of insulin cuts down on bouts of low blood sugar occurring in the morning and with unexpected exercise or stress. The larger, or “bolus,” doses are given before meals. With the press of a button, you program how much additional insulin the pump is to release, depending on results of blood sugar monitoring and the amount of food you intend to eat. Your body’s rhythms and requirements are unique, so you must work very closely with your physician to get the doses just right for you.
Clear out your myths and facts about insulin pumps.
Where are these insulin pumps available in India?
DNG Medical provides insulin pumps by Medtronic- world leader in medical devices. To get more information, please call:
Shridhar Gupta- Phone:(0) 98310-33262, Email: shridhar.gupta@dngindia.com
Office Telephone: (033) 2280-3661, (033) 2281-7592