Airplane flights may affect how insulin pumps work
A study presented at a meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes found that insulin pumps may deliver inconsistent doses for patients flying in an airplane, potentially leading to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. ”
– To prevent any unintended metabolic consequences, we recommend that individuals who use insulin pumps consider temporarily disconnecting their pumps before take-off and removing air bubbles before reconnecting it at cruising altitude,” researcher Ka Siu Fan.Fk
Key Takeaways
- Flying with an insulin pump can cause blood sugar levels to rise or drop
- Altitude affects the pump’s ability to steadily administer insulin
- However, the fluctuations during ascent and descent aren’t expected to cause significant medical problems
Patients with diabetes who fly with an insulin pump could find themselves with lower-than-normal blood sugar levels, a new study says.
Altitude appears to affect the ability of insulin pumps to deliver a steady supply of the hormone, researchers reported Sunday at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Madrid.
“Individuals who use insulin pumps should be aware of the potential impact of changes in the cabin air pressure on insulin delivery,” said lead researcher Dr. Ka Siu Fan, with the University of Surrey in the U.K.
For the study, researchers tested 26 insulin pumps in a hypobaric chamber programmed to mimic the atmospheric changes during a normal commercial airline flight.
The chamber was depressurized during a 20-minute ascent, maintained the air pressure of an 8,000-foot altitude flight for a half-hour, then re- pressurized during a 20-minute descent to the ground.
Researchers found that pumps over-delivered insulin during the ascent, but not enough to cause hypoglycemia.
At the same time, the pumps under-delivered insulin during descent, which could cause blood sugar levels to spike but not enough to cause health problems.
“The drop in cabin pressure during ascent may lead to a slight increase in insulin delivery as a result of the formation of air bubbles which displace excess insulin out of the cartridge,” Fan said in a meeting news release. “A slight reduction in insulin delivery is also possible during descent as the increasing air pressure dissolves the air bubbles, sucking insulin back into the pump.”
People on insulin pumps could be in real trouble in the event of rapid decompression of the cabin at altitude, researchers said.
In that case, the pumps could deliver an insulin overdose — dropping blood sugar levels so much that there’s a significant risk of hypoglycemia, results show.
However, in such emergencies, a person could consume some fast-acting carbohydrates to counter the insulin surge, researchers said.
Fan said the effects of altitude on insulin pumps will affect each diabetic differently, based on their own insulin sensitivity, food intake and blood sugar control.
“To prevent any unintended metabolic consequences, we recommend that individuals who use insulin pumps consider temporarily disconnecting their pumps before take-off and removing air bubbles before reconnecting it at cruising altitude,” Fan said.
More information
SOURCE: European Association for the Study of Diabetes, news release, Sept. 8, 2024
What This Means For You
Diabetics on insulin pumps should discuss with their doctor the potential affect of flight and insulin pump
From www.diabetesprosmartbrief.com
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