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Top 10 Tech To Help Keep A Check On Diabetes

Technologies used in diabetes management are constantly evolving. For the most part, this is an extremely good thing; it eventually means that new and improved options are readily available, which can ultimately offer enhanced convenience, greater precision, and a proven ability to manage your blood sugar levels in a better way.

Let’s look at the top 10 technologies that help to keep a check on diabetes.

  • Continuous Glucose Monitoring Minus Calibration

When it comes to diabetes monitoring technology, some glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) require no patient calibration, neither by fingerstick nor by manual data entry. This newest, radical approach to continuous glucose monitoring can serve as a replacement for the traditional blood sugar finger-prick check. Instead, blood sugar levels are read via a sensor that is worn on the back of the upper arm. It has just 2 components: sensor and reader. 

  • Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring

CGMs have replaced finger sticks; however, they still need a small needle beneath your skin. The goal is to create a CGM device that monitors blood sugar levels continuously, without the need to stick anything under your skin. Some path-breaking devices measure blood sugar via a sticky patch that is placed on the skin. Another wearable device measures blood glucose levels through chemical changes in breath gases. 

  • Closed-Loop System (Artificial Pancreas)

Also known as the first artificial pancreas in the world, the hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system is a highly advanced medical innovation. It has helped in easier management of type 1 diabetes. Direct communication between the CGM device and insulin pump produces stabilised levels of blood glucose. 

Smartpens, which were being developed by a few companies, are reusable injector devices that possess a smartphone interface. Through effective pairing via Bluetooth with the smartphone app, smart pens keep a tab on the number of insulin units that were administered at the last injection, their timing, and other information. The smartpen can deliver 0.5 to 30 units of insulin.

  • Insulin Pump System

Insulin pump therapy is also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). It functions by providing you with a continuous subcutaneous infusion of a rapid-acting insulin and allowing you to successfully administer boluses throughout the day for food and regulation of high blood sugar levels.

  • Electronic Skin Patches

Attempting to free those individuals with diabetes from regular finger-pricks and injections, researchers have successfully created electronic skin patches that sense excessive glucose in your sweat. After this, the skin patch automatically administers drugs through the heating up of microneedles that penetrate just beneath the skin.

  •  Data Management Software

There are several digital platforms when it comes to diabetes data management and education. This software generally includes a mobile app, a blood glucose monitor that is Bluetooth enabled, and a personal diabetes coaching service. 

  • Side-Effects Management Technology

Most of the costs that are associated with diabetes revolve around managing its side effects and complications. Several new technology options have emerged around conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, development of foot ulcers, and ketoacidosis. This technology includes wearable, flexible, and textile-based options.

  • Mobile Apps

Smartphone apps have become a vital tool in the effective management of diabetes. These diabetes mobile apps assist you with everything from diet plans and exercise regimens to monitoring of blood sugar and symptom management. Those who are newly diagnosed as well as those who have been living with this condition all their lives can benefit from these apps.

  •  Diabetes Management Accessories

There have been several technological breakthroughs in the field of diabetes management accessories, with the evolution of state-of-the-art devices such as insulin pens, insulin syringes, insulin pumps, diabetic test strips, blood lancets, blood sugar metres, ketone test strips, glucose tablets, and diabetes medical alert bracelets, among others.

The Final Word:

Diabetes technology and therapeutics need to be personalised. In deciding which technology is ideal for you, there must be an in-depth discussion between you and your physician, which may change because of the continual evolution in the range of devices.

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Wearable Gadgets to Manage Diabetes

Scientists, as well as medical device manufacturers, are presently exploring wearable gadgets to effectively control the complexities of diabetes. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved numerous types of pathbreaking wearable technology for individuals with diabetes, and newer technologies are surely on the horizon.

Wearable technology for individuals with diabetes includes gadgets such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems and Insulin Pumps.  

When it comes to monitoring blood sugar levels in those with diabetes, these devices make the process much simpler and more efficient. 

CGMs allow you to track blood glucose levels on an ongoing basis, whereas Insulin Pumps successfully deliver the precise amount of insulin at each dose administration period. When these two systems are eventually combined, the result is more precise blood glucose control than ever before. 

CGM

CGM is a highly compact monitoring and transmitting diabetes gadget with an implantable or stick-on sensor (which is affixed to the skin) to help in detecting blood sugar levels, which it successfully does in real-time, generally every five minutes. 

A sensor is either implanted within your skin (through a small cannula placed just beneath your skin by a doctor) or attached adhesively to your skin. These sensors need to be replaced every 10-90 days, based on the CGM model that you use. 

A transmitter is efficiently connected to the sensor to help transmit blood sugar readings either to your smartphone or monitoring device.

Besides providing blood glucose readings, most CGM systems also offer additional data, such as alarms as well as notifications of pre-set low and high blood glucose levels.

Why CGM?

Finger-sticks have limited ability when it comes to accurately measure blood sugar levels (which constantly fluctuate) on an ongoing basis.

Continuous blood glucose monitoring translates to the more effective and accurate adjustment of insulin, with subsequent healthier maintenance of blood sugar levels. Today, this has been made possible by wearable gadgets.

Automatic Insulin Pumps

Prior to advanced medical technology, insulin was administered through self-injection. Today, there is an alternative in the form of an insulin pump, which is nearly the size of a deck of cards. It needs to be worn outside the body, such as around the waist or attached to a belt or armband.

How Do Insulin Pumps Work?

Insulin pumps administer insulin through a thin tube (called a catheter), which is placed beneath your skin into a layer of fat tissue. The pump operates through a computerised mechanism that precisely administers continuous doses of short-acting insulin (which is known as the basal rate), followed by a variable insulin dose (which is known as a bolus), post-consumption of a large meal. 

Most insulin pumps are generally equipped with bolus calculators to help you in figuring out how much should the bolus insulin dosage be, which is based on your blood glucose level and the food you consume at every meal. This type of insulin administering resembles the working of the human body’s pancreas.

Non-Invasive Wearable Diabetes Monitor

It is a fact that dogs can smell when your blood glucose is fluctuating. Using this idea, a device has been designed. Besides helping you recognise the pain and expense of traditional diabetes management, this device can help you keep a track of your sugar levels.

The device uses the latest, cutting-edge gas-sensing technology to successfully create a completely non-invasive, wearable, and affordable diabetes gadget.

The device provides your blood glucose levels on a continuous basis. In addition, it comes with an app that permits you to set up alerts to efficiently communicate with your healthcare provider. 

To monitor changes in blood glucose levels, the device uses a nanosensor that successfully detects gases that humans emit. Scientists have concluded that this could be an early indicator of conditions such as hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.

Nanosensors lie at the core of the technology, and the device is customised to the app. The sensors act as a nose of a dog, with the ability to sense multiple gases at the same time. These low detection levels are needed to monitor your blood glucose.

Features of CGM and Insulin Pumps

  • Insulin pumps continuously deliver insulin at set and variable rates throughout the day.
  • The CGM system provides real-time monitoring of glucose every 5 minutes.
  • Insulin pumps mimic some of the functions of a healthy body’s pancreas.
  • Some CGM systems can send discreet alerts to prevent episodes of hypo- and hyperglycaemia, along with tracking of steps taken, distance travelled, and calories burned.
  • Users can share their data with up to ten individuals, including medical staff.

The Final Word:

The future of wearable gadgets to combat diabetes looks promising. Well-known technology companies and big medical devices manufacturers are keenly looking forward to the development of newer technology. Soon, diabetes management technology may emerge through incorporation into smartwatches, smart shoes, and may be even contact lenses.

Reference links:

  1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/wearable-tech-for-diabetes-4846257
  2. https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/tech/2019/06/05/6-wearable-devices-manage-diabetes/1275579001/
  3. https://www.healthtechzone.com/topics/healthcare/articles/2020/01/24/444307-two-innovative-wearables-took-diabetes-control-the-next.htm