One of the most important aspects of living with diabetes is managing blood sugar levels. Careful attention is required to dosing of insulin and glucose levels. Then, based on time, they get adjusted. Technological advancements for persons with diabetes, including Omnipod 5, have made the process easy for many patients. Does Omnipod 5 automatically correct high blood sugar? The Omnipod 5 system will allow the system to automatically change insulin delivery based on the actual real-time blood sugar level reading.
This post delves into how Omnipod 5 works, its contribution to managing blood sugar levels, and whether it can also self-correct hyperglycemia.
What is the Omnipod 5 System?
The Omnipod 5 is designed to provide people with diabetes the flexibility and discretion to control and manage their use of insulin by offering a mode of insulin delivery. It is the latest Insulet Corporation model, integrating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with insulin delivery through the Omnipod insulin pump.
There are three major constituents of the system:
- Omnipod 5 Insulin Pump: A small, wearable pump that delivers insulin automatically based on data from the CGM.
- Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM: A continuous glucose monitor that tracks real-time blood sugar levels, sending data to the Omnipod 5.
- Omnipod 5 App: A smartphone application that manages insulin delivery and CGM data, providing real-time insights and notifications. Omnipod 5 App is available for both iOS and Android devices. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store, respectively.
One of the Omnipod 5 innovations is integrating Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM. This allows for automatic adjustment in insulin delivery as per glucose trends.
How Does Omnipod 5 Work?
The Omnipod 5 system falls into the category of insulin pumps known as closed-loop or artificial pancreas systems. Here’s how Omnipod 5 it works:
- Continues Glucose monitoring: Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM continuously measures glucose levels every five minutes. Then, it reports this information via wireless communication into the Omnipod 5 insulin pump that analyzes the values.
- Adjustment to insulin delivery: The Omnipod 5 device employs an algorithm to calculate what is needed at the moment; therefore, as your blood glucose goes high, it will start delivering more amounts of insulin that is required and, on reaching a low threshold of blood sugar, it cuts off the flow of insulin thereby avoiding hypoglycemia.
- Basal and Bolus Insulin: This means that there will be the continued delivery of basal insulin into the body. To cover meal intake, basal or bolus insulin can also be programmed from the pump for consumption.
- Alerts and Notifications: It will alert the user if his blood sugar goes out of range and inform him that an adjustment is being made. The application can also be set to give real-time trends and predictions.
- NOTE! Omnipod 5 System will always suspend insulin delivery when glucose is below 3.3 mmol/L.
Does Omnipod 5 Automatically Correct High Blood Sugar?
Yes, the Omnipod 5 system can automatically correct high blood sugar. The device may adjust automated insulin delivery (AID) according to real-time information delivered by the Dexcom G6 CGM or Dexcom G7 to help correct high blood sugar without the user’s intervention. This is how it goes in more detail
- Continuously monitoring: The Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM monitors your blood sugar in real time and continues to provide the Omnipod 5 insulin pump with constant data.
- High Blood Sugar Detection: If the blood glucose level exceeds your target range, then the Omnipod 5 system automatically detects it and makes the proper change in the insulin delivery so that the blood sugar will come back to its target range. It may provide more basal insulin to lower the blood sugar level.
- Correction Bolus: If your blood sugar is much higher than your target, the system calculates a correction bolus- a quantity of extra insulin required to get your glucose levels back within your target range. This amount is determined using the pump’s pre-set parameters-insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, sensitivity factor, and basal rates.
- Predictive Corrections: The Omnipod 5 does not only correct high blood sugars promptly but is also predictive. Instead of just acting on the condition, the device uses an algorithm to determine when to administer its insulin to cover the changes before they happen, thereby preventing hyperglycemic spikes.
Effectiveness of Omnipod 5 in Managing High Blood Sugars
The Omnipod 5 would be an effective corrector of high blood sugar based on many factors, including the accuracy of the CGM, the sensitivity of the individual to insulin, and how well the algorithm within the system was configured. More precise blood sugar management can be achieved using continuous glucose monitoring and adjustments of insulin delivery in comparison to more traditional methods.
Some of the advantages of the Omnipod 5 in correcting high blood sugar include:
- Real-time adjustments: The system reacts to high blood sugar in minutes, thus avoiding long periods of hyperglycemia.
- Customization: Users can alter their insulin delivery settings to meet their individual needs, making it more effective in controlling blood sugar.
- Predictive capabilities: The system does not just correct the current blood sugar level but also anticipates and adjusts for trends, which is especially helpful in preventing high blood sugar spikes before they happen.
However, there might be cases where human interaction is still required, as the system’s insulin delivery algorithm may not perfectly consider external factors such as stress, illness, or exercise, which could alter the blood sugar.
Does Omnipod 5 eliminate the need for manual blood sugar management?
As Omnipod 5 represents more automation, it is not completely void of the traditional manual management required for blood sugars. It allows for automatic modification of insulin doses based on data received from direct glucose monitoring. At the same time, the user watches their blood sugar patterns, inputs food carb counts before meals, and sometimes adjusts insulin dose settings. There are still instances where users might have to act, such as:
- Bolus for meals: The system calculates bolus insulin based on the user’s input; however, the users still need to input things such as the carbohydrates they consume.
- Exercise or illness adjustments: These factors greatly influence blood sugar. Users have to adjust the insulin delivery when exercising or being sick manually.
- Calibration and maintenance: Although the Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 CGM is very accurate, it may still need periodic calibration or sensor replacement to ensure the system functions optimally.
Activity and Exercise Management
What is the Activity feature?
If the person with diabetes is ever in Automated Mode and wants less insulin automatically delivered sometimes, the Activity feature can start. When turned on, SmartAdjust™ will decrease insulin delivery and automatically drive the target glucose to 8.3 mmol/L for the duration you decide.
When to use the Activity feature?
During exercise, such as playing a sport, swimming, yard work, walking in the park, or at any other time, the blood glucose level usually goes down.
How do I launch the activity feature?
- Tap menu
- Tap ACTIVITY
- Input the number of minutes for the desired duration and then tap CONFIRM
- Tap START
Pod positioning
Arm & Leg: Position the Pod vertically or at a slight angle.
Back, Abdomen & Buttocks: Position the Pod horizontally or at a slight angle.
The best placement for Sensor and Pod
Conclusion
The Omnipod 5 system can automatically correct high sugar levels using data acquired from the Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM by adjusting real-time insulin doses. This may help individuals have more consistent, steady blood sugars throughout the day, reducing much of the interference required to correct high levels.
However, where the Omnipod 5 makes significant inroads in automated systems and easier insulin management, the device is no “set it and forget it” system; its user still monitors their blood sugar level and make needed adjustments and inputs to control it. As for any diabetes management tool, regular communication with a healthcare provider will ensure the system is adjusted according to specific needs.
By integrating automatic insulin adjustments, predictive algorithms, and continuous glucose monitoring, the Omnipod 5 helps make diabetes management easier, more efficient, and less stressful, offering many users a higher quality of life.
