User's Manual

Bolus Doses
What is a Bolus?
A bolus is an extra dose of insulin, delivered when needed to
match the carbohydrates (sugar content) in a meal or snack, or
to lower blood glucose when it gets too high. This extra dose is
in addition to the basal rate delivered throughout the day and
night (see Chapter 3, Basal Rates).
The size of a bolus dose depends on many variables.
These variables include your blood glucose level, insulin-to-
carbohydrate ratio, activity level, and the type and amount of
food you eat. With the iXL System, it is easy to adapt to any
situation, because – with the press of a few buttons – you can
adjust to unexpected or changing insulin needs.
During setup, you enter bolus dose settings in the remote
(see Chapter 2, Getting Started). However, you can adjust these
settings as you fine-tune your system settings or when your
needs change (see Chapter 6, iXL Remote Controller Features).
Bolus Dose Options
So you can fully enjoy the freedom of eating what and when
you want, the iXL System offers the following bolus dose options:
Nor
mal Bolus: When you need a dose of insulin right way (to
cover a meal or snack you are about to eat or to reduce a high
blood glucose level).
Extended Bolus:
When you are eating high-fat or high-protein
foods (which take longer to digest and are slower to affect
blood glucose) or when you are eating for an extended period
(for example, at a party or during a holiday meal).
iBolus™ (Audio Bolus):
When you want to give yourself a
bolus “on the go,” without looking at the remote screen. This
feature is especially handy if you want to give yourself a bolus
discreetly or without having to stop what you are doing (for
example, when attending classes or meetings, eating out, or
entertaining).
The bolus features in the iXL System are designed for
flexibility and convenience. You can easily transition
from a normal to an extended bolus simply by pressing
a few buttons.
Although you cannot deliver an extended bolus while another
extended bolus is active, you can deliver a normal or an iBolus
while an extended bolus is being delivered.
iXL™ Diabetes Management System User Guide: Bolus Doses 27
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