| Welcome to the November
2006 edition of Access Digest. This
month our topic is Insulin Pumps. For some
people with diabetes, insulin pumps make life
much easier, delivering a continuous, programmed
amount of rapid-acting insulin, 24 hours a day.
These small, computerized devices control the
flow of insulin through a catheter to the abdomen.
We'll explain how they work, how to select one
that is right for you, and show how they are being
used to help young children.
Our Lifestyle feature for November is a device
that could dramatically change the way we live
-- the Artificial Pancreas, and our Recipe
of the Month is a seasonal favorite of ours --
Cranberry-Orange Relish.
As always, when you see "Read
More" at the end of an article, or
something that is underlined, you can click
on it to be linked to another Web site
where you'll find more information. When you find
a site that you may want to visit again in the
future, you can bookmark it.
Each month we receive
questions from our readers. We post some of the
more frequent questions and answers for everyone
to read. If you have questions or comments of
your own, please e-mail them to us at the end
of this issue.
We hope you enjoy this issue of our newsletter.
Thank you for choosing Access Diabetic
Supply as your choice for diabetic supplies. |
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What is an Insulin Pump? |
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Insulin pumps are small, computerized devices
(about the size of a pager) that you wear on your
belt or put in your pocket that allow for a continuous
flow of a rapid-acting insulin to be released
into your tissue. The pumps have a small flexible
tube (called a catheter) with a fine needle on
the end, which is inserted under the skin of your
abdomen and taped in place.
The insulin pump is designed to deliver a continuous
amount of insulin, 24 hours a day according to
a programmed plan unique to each pump wearer.
The amount of insulin delivered can be changed
by the user.
Read More
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How
Effective are Insulin Pumps? |
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In
recent years, treatment with Continuous Subcutaneous
Insulin Infusion (CSII), or insulin pump
therapy, has become more and more common in
young people with type 1 diabetes. Some studies
have shown that insulin pump therapy is better
in the short term than normal insulin therapy,
which requires multiple shots of insulin each
day. Yet, there aren't many studies that have
looked at the long-term effects of insulin pump
therapy and whether it's better than normal
insulin therapy.
An insulin pump delivers insulin continuously
through a catheter placed under the skin. It
is able to deliver very precise doses of insulin
in a manner that mimics the normal insulin secretion
of the body. Additional doses can be given during
meal times with the push of a button. The pump
has to be worn 24 hours a day, and the catheter
is changed every 3 days.
Read more
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Insulin Pumps Help Kids With
Diabetes |
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| Insulin
pump therapy may be a safe and effective treatment
for children under age 7 with type 1 diabetes.
Researchers say the results suggest the insulin
pump may ease the burden of periodic insulin shots
for many parents, including those who also rely
on a nanny or day care worker to care for their
child part of the day.
In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin
in order to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Children with type 1 diabetes must receive frequent
injections of insulin to keep their blood sugar
levels under control. Although insulin pumps that
supply a continuous dose of insulin to the body
have been used for several years in adults and
older children with type 1 diabetes, researchers
say this is among the first studies to look at
their use in very young children.
Read More
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Shopping for
an Insulin Pump |
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There are several models
of insulin pumps to choose from. While they all
work in a similar manner, manufacturers offer
unique programming options, battery types, infusion
set possibilities, reservoir styles, and warranties.
Here are some features to consider when comparing
insulin pumps.
Size
Weight
Battery life
Infusion sets
Number of basal rates available
Basal range
Smallest basal possible
Obstruction alarm
Over-delivery alarm
Near-empty alarm
Warranty
Special features
Read More |
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Healthy Living: Monthly Recipe & Lifestyle Changes |
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November Lifestyle Change: What
Lies Ahead
We can all agree that
evolving medical technology is having a major
impact on the lifestyles of people with diabetes.
While insulin pumps may be today's state-of-the-art
solution for some, an artificial pancreas
could revolutionize the treatment of diabetes,
and it may only be a few years away. For millions
worldwide, life is a series of finger sticks and
injections, surges and dips in blood sugar levels.
But with its promise of automatically regulating
a person's blood sugar, the artificial pancreas
could change all that, helping patients with type
1 diabetes maintain blood sugar levels within
the normal range -- critical for preventing diabetes
complications.
Read more |
| November Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Relish |
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This month our featured recipe is Cranberry-Orange
Relish. This Thanksgiving holiday favorite
is perfect for that big family dinner you're planning.
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| Ingredients: Cranberry-Orange Relish
| Ingredient |
Measure |
| Cranberries |
1 bag
(12 oz.) |
| Navel
orange with peel, diced fine
(remove any seeds) |
1 orange |
| Water |
1-1/2
cups |
| Ground
cinnamon |
1/4 teaspoon |
| Sugar
substitute |
Equiv.
to 1-1/2 cups of sugar (i.e.,
36 packets of Equal); more or
less to taste |
Preparation
Simmer the cranberries and orange
with water in a covered saucepan for
1 hour. Cool, and stir in cinnamon
and sugar substitute. Refrigerate
for up to 1 week or freeze in 1-cup
containers. |
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Nutritional Information - Cranberry-Orange
Relish |
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Recipe makes eight servings;
Amount per serving: |
| Calories |
25 |
| Total Fat |
0.1 g |
| Sodium |
9 mg |
| Carbohydrates |
6.4
g |
| Protein |
.29 g |
| Exchanges per serving |
1/2 fruit |
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Questions & Answers - Ask the
Experts |
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Each month our staff answers questions and
asks for your feedback. However, if you have urgent
questions about your order or your meter, we encourage
you to call our customer care department at 1-800-276-5712.
We do our best to answer all questions, but we
also encourage you to consult your physician.
Below are a few of the typical questions
our customer care department has answered on this
month's theme. Each question is linked to a Web
site that gives an answer and provides more detail.
We hope you find this section helpful. |
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Access Diabetic Supply |
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