Technology Improves Diabetes Management (NAPSA)—There’s encouraging newsfor the more than 18 million people in the United States who have diabetes, a disease in which the body does not produceor properly use insulin. Technology is making it easier to monitor and managethe disease. Testing is essential because, left unchecked, this chronic dis- ease can result in serious complications including blindness, kidney complications, amputation, heart disease and stroke. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that people with diabetes maintain AIClevels of seven or less. A1C is a simple test that shows glucose control over the last three months. Patients who use insulin can achieve the recommended ADA guidelines with insulin pump or injection therapy. Using injec- tions, however, usually requires several shots throughout the day and can be painful. According to Dr. Francine R. Kaufman, MD, Head of the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the process of good blood sugar control is made easier with a pump. “It’s programmable and delivers insulin at different rates to meet the patient’s changing needs throughout the day and night. Pump therapy can mimic what the pancreas does much better than injections alone.” The latest “smart” pumps—the “Smart” insulin pumps are helping to make it easier to manage diabetes. Paradigm’ 515 and 715 insulin pump systems—were recently unveiled by Medtronic Diabetes, a leader in insulin pump therapy. The Paradigm Link Blood Glucose Monitor (powered by BD Logic Technology) automatically transmits a glucose value to the insulin pump using radio frequency technology. A built-in calculator makes the dosage recommendation and keeps track of insulin used by the body to help avoid episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This system also provides access to a Web-based information management system, called the Medtronic CareLink Therapy Management System for Diabetes. This system helps organize data from diabetes management devices into easy-to-understand reports for improved blood sugar control and AIC tests. For more information, visit www.minimed.com.
