The Pump???

[stu8910]

I'm new on here and I'm trying to pick up on the lingo.

what is a pump? and what is DKA?

[DeusXM]

A pump is an insulin pump - it's a device that looks like a pager and releases a constant flow of insulin into your body - you can also increase the amount it pumps in so you have more insulin when you're eating. It's a bit like an electronic pancreas, although you have to tell it what to do. They're less common in the UK than the US because of the way the health services are funded. Typically, Americans have to buy their own pumps, which can cost up to £4000. Pumps are available on the NHS under certain circumstances, and you're also perfectly entitled to buy a pump in Britain should you want one.

DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis - this is a form of metabolism your body goes into when there isn't enough insulin to keep your muscles and brain supplied with glucose. You start literally burning up your body (fat, muscle, protein) as a way of generating energy. Unfortunately this has the nasty side-effect of turning your blood more acidic, and if left unchecked will result in coma or death pretty quickly.

[Stuboy]

What he said... :D

[DeusXM]

In case anyone hasn't noticed, during UK office hours I'm on rapid response for this forum. I work so hard!

[Stuboy]

But i've never seen your name in the Online list... weird!

[DeusXM]

That's because I'm an International Man of Mystery...