Good News for Diabetes Patients —Memorial Now Offers Recently Approved Insulin Pump
Diabetes Risk Factor
- Family history ofdiabetes
- Obesity
- Age greater than45 years
- Certain ethnic groups (particularly African- Americans and Hispanic Americans)
- Diabetes during pregnancy or infants weighing more than 9 pounds
- High blood pressure
- High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
- High blood cholesterol level
The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults bescreened for diabetesat least every threeyears. A person athigh risk should be screened more often.
For more information, please call one of the Memorial DiabetesCenters:
Memorial Regional Hospital
(954) 265-5889
Memorial Hospital West
(954) 844-6801
Memorial Hospital Pembroke
(954) 963-8013
November 2003 — November is American Diabetes Month, and Memorial Healthcare System has good news for patients with diabetes.
The Memorial Diabetes Center and its physicians are now offering the new Paradigm Pump 512, which recently received FDA approval. This pump not only relieves patients from administering injections, but also saves them the time and trouble of having to calculate specific insulin dosages.
“The Paradigm Pump reduces the risk of improper insulin dosage by patients,” says Teddy Speropoulos, Manager of the Memorial Diabetes Center. “It communicates with the glucose monitor through wireless technology and calculates accurate dosage amounts automatically.”
In fact, the monitor transmits a blood sugar reading to the pump, which then recommends a proper dose of insulin based on blood glucose targets, carbohydrate ratios and insulin sensitivity factors. Manual calculation by the patient is eliminated, along with the risk of improper dosage.
Additionally, the pump lowers the chance of hypoglycemia and keeps track of how much insulin is in the body to prevent “stacking” of insulin.
“This is great news for patients with diabetes and their families,” says Speropoulos. “We are proud to be on the cutting edge of the latest diabetes care available.”
Surprising Statistics
Over 17 million Americans have diabetes. Unfortunately, 5.9 million people — or one-third — are unaware that they have the disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association, the symptoms of diabetes may seem quite harmless. Early detection and treatment, however, can decrease the chance of developing complications from diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Blurred vision
- Unusual weight loss
- Irritability
- Extreme weight loss
- Slow-healing wounds
See your doctor right away if you have one or more of these symptoms.
Caring for the Community
At the Memorial Diabetes Center, certified diabetes educators complement the patient-physician relationship with personalized lessons on nutrition, insulin therapy and other topics relevant to managing diabetes. Known for their hands-on philosophy, they educate patients and their loved ones in fresh and creative ways.
Memorial Healthcare System’s inpatient and outpatient diabetes programs focus on self-care skills and ways to improve the quality of life for diabetic adults and children. Outreach services include community screenings and free support groups.
For referral to a physician, call the Memorial Healthcare System Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.