(BPT) - - Nearly 26 million people in the United States have diabetes and the population continues to grow. There are approximately 5.5 million people in the U.S. who depend on daily insulin injections to help them control and manage their diabetes, but more than half of those people do not achieve their recommended glucose target levels, according to the American Diabetes Association.
The human body needs insulin to be able to fuel the body's cells with glucose. While the body continuously produces insulin, people with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, either do not produce enough, or their bodies cannot use the insulin adequately. When there is not enough, or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the body's cells. If not controlled properly, diabetes can increase the risk for heart disease, blindness, amputations, stroke and high blood pressure.
"Despite the fact that millions of Americans are on insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes, many of them remain far below their target blood sugar levels," says Dr. Marc Sandberg, medical director at The Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management, Hunterdon Medical Center. "This is usually because insulin regimens can interfere with daily activities, cause injection pain, and lead to the embarrassment or imposition of injecting medication in public."
Now, a device called the V-Go is paving a new path to insulin delivery for people with type 2 diabetes, all with one simple, disposable device. Made by Valeritas, the V-Go is a simple disposable delivery insulin device that provides a continuous preset rate of insulin (basal) and on-demand dosing at mealtimes (bolus). The V-Go is applied to the skin each day and can be worn underneath clothing allowing individuals to go about their daily routine. Patients wear the V-Go throughout the day and night - even while showering, exercising, and sleeping - then replace it with a new V-Go after a 24-hour period.
The V-Go's novel design can provide insulin the way the body is supposed to. Because of the convenience and simplicity of the design, people with type 2 diabetes may be able to have better control on their insulin regimen and live an active and healthier lifestyle.
Angela Gaskins has lived with diabetes for many years. "It's a relief to find a product that is simple to use and also helps me have more control and flexibility in getting my insulin," she says. "With the V-Go I can go about my daily routine with little interruption of my schedule. This has helped me stick to my treatment regimen, so that I reach my target blood sugar levels better than before."
Valeritas, maker of the device, is committed to helping patients meet their goals and live life on the go. Along with providing 24/7 customer care helpline, Valeritas created an online self-management program called V-Go Life(TM) through a partnership with the diabetes community network, dLife, enabling patients to track their progress and help them maintain better control of their insulin therapy. The program features a comprehensive diabetes lifestyle program including resources like articles, videos, recipes, polls, quizzes and diet and exercise tips. Valeritas is committed to providing its patients with greater access to the product, help with reimbursement and co-pay and co-insurance support.
For more information about the V-Go, or to find out if V-Go is right for you, call 866-881-1209 or visit www.go-vgo.com or www.valeritas.com. Customer care representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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