Lila Grace Moss, daughter of the famous model Kate Moss , has been one of the great protagonists of Milan Fashion Week after parading with an impressive Versace outfit … and with her insulin pump on her hip.
In fact, Moss explained in an interview to The Kit that he suffers from type 1 diabetes, and that the idea of jumping on the catwalk with the pump was to “help with the cause.”
“I think not many people know that I have diabetes. It is not visible from the outside, so no one would know just by looking at me. I have type 1,” Moss specified: “I would like to try and help as much as I can.”
This device is one of the options most chosen by people with diabetes to regulate their insulin levels , since it is practical and offers the patient greater flexibility and in general greater autonomy.
How does the insulin pump work?
The insulin pump mimics the functioning of the human pancreas in a person without diabetes, supplying the body with insulin constantly in a dose that is programmed according to the needs of the wearer.
This amount of insulin is known as the basal rate, and it can change every 30 minutes. In any case, what is important is that it will never be the device itself that decides this rate, but it is the task of the patient , his family or the diabetes team.
In addition, the apparatus allows to deliver ‘boluses’ of insulin (that is, a larger quantity in a timely manner) each time the patient eats or when hyperglycemia occurs.
What are its components?
The insulin pump consists of two different parts : the infuser and the connecting catheter.
The infuser is a small electronic device about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It is actually a pre-programmed microcomputer normally powered by batteries. Insulin can be introduced into the infuser by filling a reservoir or through pre-filled cartridges, depending on the model. Finally, the infuser has a screen in which to mark the different modifiable parameters and buttons to administer the ‘boluses’ and to modify the basal rate.
On the other hand, the connecting catheter is a small tube that is inserted into the body in the areas where insulin injections are normally given and is usually left permanently connected, except to change it every two to three days.
What are its advantages over other therapies?
The main advantage of the insulin pump is the flexibility it allows, since, for example, meals can be delayed without fear that the effect of the insulin administered will be exhausted. In addition, it also allows a finer adjustment depending on the different times and activities of the day.
Furthermore, it has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of severe hypoglycemia and improve quality of life in younger patients and their families.
However, the insulin pump also has some disadvantages; specifically, that it is an economically more expensive method than multiple dose therapy and that it requires more frequent monitoring of insulin levels.
