Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of insulin pump
Advantages
- Insulin pumps deliver more precise amounts of insulin. This supports control over blood sugar level, reducing the chance of long-term complications associated with diabetes.
- Many modern pumps calculate how much insulin is needed taking into account expected carbohydrate intake and current blood sugar level.
Disadvantages
- Insulin pumps, cartridges, and infusion sets are more expensive than syringes used for insulin injection.
- An episode of diabetic ketoacidosis, this can happen if the pump battery is discharged, if the insulin reservoir runs empty, the tubing becomes loose and insulin leaks rather than being injected, or if the cannula becomes bent or kinked in the body, preventing delivery. Therefore pump users has to monitor their blood sugar more frequently.
- Insulin pump may damage during sports and activities in the water.
- Some users may find that wearing the pump all the time (together with the infusion set tubing) is uncomfortable.