What does the life of a Diabetic look like?

Diabetes is present in every aspect of life, all the time for T1 diabetics. The disease is chronic, and there is currently no cure. The only treatment is insulin, which must be administered before every single meal or snack, as well as other times of the day to account for general bodily functions. Every single carbohydrate must be accounted for and accuratley dosed using subcutaneous (under the skin) injections.

What technologies are there to manage diabetes?

Insulin Syringes:

• The classical syringe is used to administer insulin, drawing it from a vial then directly injecting the insulin

Insulin Pens:

• A simpler version of a syringe, where the insulin is stored in the pen and only the needle must be replaced each dose. Insulin can be administered by the 0.5 units

Continuous Glucose Moniters (CGM's):

• CGM's are a tool used by diabetics that measures subcutaneous interstitial fluids and estimates blood glucose from these numbers. The CGM's help diabetics have better control over their body as CGM's give readings every 5 minutes. Trends are available as well as numbers, so a diabetic can tell if their blood sugar is rising or falling fast, not only if it is in range, high, or low.
• Brands of CGM's are Medtronic, Dexcom, Freestyle, and more.

Insulin Pumps:

• The most recent administration technology is an insulin pump which has a constant flow of insulin, and is constantly connected to the diabetic. Insulin Pumps are a convenient machine which has a subcutaneous tube that injects insulin under the command of the diabetic. A insulin pump is changed out every couple of days as the immune system continues to reject the insulin, and builds up tissues around the injection site. A insulin pump allows for insulin to be conveniently given at any time of the day, and takes a lot less effort than insulin pens or syringes. However, it is necessary the insulin pump is worn at all times which can be a problem.

Closed loop insulin delivery systems:

• Closed loop insulin delivery systems are relatively new, with the first closed loop system being approved by the FDA in 2016. Closed loop systems incorporate a CGM, or continuous glucose monitor with an insulin pump, and gives the CGM control over the insulin pump. When the CGM readings are trending up or numbers are high, the CGM alerts the pump and tells it to give insulin. A closed loop system may be more convenient for diabetics as it takes some of the pressures off of a diabetic, and does some of the work for them. Closed loop systems are still so new that they are less common, and only 2 closed loop systems are currently approved.