The Future of Wearable Devices in Diabetes Management
Wearable health devices are quickly becoming some of the most popular gadgets on the market. Every day, more and more technologies are being developed to help make life easier and improve health outcomes for people everywhere. This market has been especially important for the development of devices to improve and facilitate diabetes management. There are now a wide range of new digital tools that help us to more easily track blood sugar, deliver insulin, and maintain a diabetes-friendly lifestyle.
Monitoring Blood Glucose
One of the most important aspects of effective diabetes management is the ability to read and record your blood sugar levels at different points throughout the day. These measurements can help you to:
- Understand how certain foods affect your blood sugar levels
- Monitor the effects of exercise on your blood glucose
- Keep a detailed history to decipher trends over time
- Work with your doctor to improve treatment outcomes
- Prevent dangerous hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic incidents before they occur.
Taking a blood glucose reading can require a blood sample obtained via a finger prick, but now technology also allows for blood glucose monitors that can be worn on the body. While it is true that a traditional finger stick is a more accurate form of blood glucose measurement, these new devices offer a great way to more easily access blood sugar measurements and reduce the amount of finger sticks needed per day.
Dispersing Insulin
Some people who live with diabetes do not produce any insulin and, therefore, require insulin therapy. A person on insulin therapy receives insulin doses throughout the day and at meal times to help keep their blood sugar levels at a safe level. Previously, this type of treatment required several injections of insulin per day; now, there are new devices available, like touchscreen insulin pumps, that can disperse insulin without injections throughout the day. These insulin pumps give you the freedom to live your life without carrying around insulin supplies and to easily administer doses through their enhanced smartphone styling.
Tracking Diet and Exercise
As part of a diabetes management plan, your doctor may recommend losing weight, making adjustments to your diet, and getting more exercise. These habits have been shown to improve the body’s ability to metabolize blood sugar and increase a person’s overall health.
Fitbit and the Apple Watch have become some of the most commonly used wearable fitness devices in the last few years. Both of these devices help the user track their sleep, calories consumed, calories burned, steps taken, and overall activity level throughout the day. These gadgets are particularly helpful for people with diabetes because they can help them to monitor their carbohydrate intake, track their exercise, and encourage them to be more active.
Learn More
If you have questions about how to best manage your diabetes or are interested in learning more about the most advanced devices for diabetes care, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator. They will be able to explain what lifestyle modifications are best for your individual circumstances, work with you to develop a comprehensive diabetes management plan, and recommend the best new gadgets for you.
SOURCES:
- https://diabetesstrong.com/fit-with-diabetes-part-4-the-pros-and-cons-of-cgm/
- https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/050114p12.shtml
- https://diabeteswa.com.au/professionals/training/diabetes-awareness-in-schools-2/diabetes-action-and-management-plans/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-sugar/art-20046628
- https://www.wearable-technologies.com/2017/01/wearables-for-diabetic/