Advancing Diabetes Technology: A Guide to Better Health

Understanding Diabetes and Technology for Management of Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.1 With an estimated 463 million adults and an increasing number of younger people, diabetes has become a serious global health issue. You will be surprised to know that despite the availability of long and fast-acting insulin analogues, a growing number of patients still fail to meet the prescribed blood glucose level goals and run the risk of developing long-term complications.

Technological advances in diabetes monitoring and treatment have grown rapidly in the past decade. These developments have helped people living with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels in a better way and improve their quality of life.

Leading Technological Advances in Diabetes Management

The main advances in diabetes technology include:

• Blood glucose monitoring devices, such as SMBG (self-monitoring blood glucose) and CGM (continuous glucose monitoring)
• Insulin delivery systems, such as insulin pens, smart insulin pens, insulin pumps, integrated CGM and insulin pump
• Diabetes smartphone apps

These tools and devices are user-friendly and minimally invasive. There are several choices available so you can decide which is ideal for you.

Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices

Your doctor may advise you to incorporate regular blood glucose monitoring into your regimen if you have diabetes.

1. Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Meters (SMBG)

• One can determine their blood glucose level all by themselves with a glucose meter using a little drop of blood called a "fingerstick.”
• In order to better manage or control your diabetes, you and your healthcare team can utilise the information from these readings to tweak your eating habits, food quantities, medications, and insulin dosage to maintain optimal blood glucose levels.
• SMBG is useful for people living with type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes.

2. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

• People with diabetes type 1 and type 2 requiring insulin administration can monitor their blood glucose levels with continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM. CGM detects the amount of glucose in the blood every few minutes throughout the day and night.
• Three components make up a majority of the CGM systems:

1. A tiny, disposable sensor, which is implanted on the skin, usually on the abdomen or arm with a small probe that is tucked into the skin (minimally invasive) to gauge the bodily fluids’ glucose content.4,8
2. A transmitter that is attached to the sensor which communicates glucose level data through radio waves to a wireless receiver, also known as a monitor.
3. The monitor that displays glucose level data on its screen.

• Some CGMs can even send this data directly to your phone so you may provide it to your healthcare professional.8

Insulin Delivery Systems

Your healthcare provider can assist you in utilising insulin delivery technologies as follows:

1. Insulin Pens

• The most popular way to administer insulin among people with type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes is using insulin pens. Insulin pens have more simplicity and convenience as well as efficiency and safety benefits.
• An insulin cartridge and disposable syringe are integrated into an insulin pen device to administer insulin with push-button injections under the skin. The individual can do this himself.
• Smart insulin pens are insulin pens with a user-friendly smartphone interface that provides dose measurement and dosage management.

2. Insulin Pumps

• Insulin pumps are tiny, digital devices that mimic how the pancreas functions. Around mealtimes, insulin pumps will provide a modest quantity of insulin "on demand" (bolus dosage) and also in a constantly measured dose (basal rate). The insulin pump's information is preprogrammed to consider the wearer's demands. A tiny plastic tube called a cannula is connected to a reservoir in the pump. The cannula contains a needle that injects insulin into the fatty tissue.
• Insulin pumps are widely used by people living with type 1 diabetes.

3. Integrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Insulin Pump

• Recent developments in insulin pump technology have led to the creation of sensor-augmented insulin pumps that are combined with a CGM to create hybrid closed-loop devices or the so-called "artificial pancreas." These systems mimic insulin delivery of the pancreas by adjusting insulin dosage based on glucose levels provided by the sensor.
• An insulin pump, a CGM sensor, and an algorithm that chooses when to inject insulin make up these systems. Based on sensor glucose results, insulin administration can be halted, increased, or lowered.
• These are extremely popular among people living with type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Smartphone Apps

With the help of apps, managing diabetic information and living with diabetes may be simplified. Personalised diabetes management tools and apps help patients and providers to make better decisions in diabetes care. The main objectives of the apps are to perform as a platform for:

• Diabetes coaching to assist day-to-day management
• Data integration that synchronises with additional glucose monitoring devices
• Providing decision assistance to help users choose the appropriate glucose control strategy

Talk To Your Doctor

The doctor’s main objective is to improve the regulation of blood glucose levels. Experts are now working to complete the circle and make diabetes control less of a daily struggle. The fluctuation in insulin demand can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including diet, exercise, illness, stress, and sleep.   

It is hard to create an algorithm that will function in all situations and for all users because of these uncontrollable factors. You may live a better life with the recent diabetes treatment technologies, which may even help your blood sugar levels return to normal. To find out what is best for you, speak with your healthcare practitioner.

Conclusion

Advancements in diabetes technology have transformed the landscape of diabetes care, offering individuals more control, better health outcomes, and improved quality of life. Continuous Glucose Monitoring, insulin pumps, artificial pancreas systems, telehealth, and diabetes apps have become invaluable tools in managing diabetes.

As these technologies continue to evolve and become more accessible, they have the potential to revolutionize diabetes care for millions of people worldwide. However, it's crucial to address challenges related to accessibility, education, and data privacy to ensure that everyone can benefit from these innovations. The future of diabetes care looks promising, with technology playing a pivotal role in empowering individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives despite their diagnosis.