4 New High-Tech Tools to Help Control Diabetes

Diabetes can make huge demands on you. For many patients, the daily routine involves painful finger sticks, glucose tests, and insulin injections -- all in an effort to keep blood sugar and diabetes under control.

But newer devices, such as continuous glucose monitors, may make it easier for many of the nation's 21 million people with diabetes to control the disease, according to Aaron Kowalski, PhD. Director of strategic research projects at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Kowalski is himself a type 1 diabetes patient. "We think there are some new technologies that hold tremendous promise," he says. "It's an exciting time."

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Not all new devices make it, though. Some have fizzled after the fanfare. The GlucoWatch was a wristwatch-like device that measured glucose from fluid through the skin. Many hoped it would replace the difficult finger stick. "The expectations were extremely high," says Kowalski. "But it was disappointing on many levels."

Among the problems? Skin irritation and inaccurate readings.

But Kowalski and other experts predict that newer technologies that aim to help people control their diabetes may fare much better. And controlling diabetes is very important. Over time, long-term, high blood sugar can lead to eye, heart, kidney, and nerve disease and other complications. Low blood sugar can also quickly trigger immediate emergencies, such as seizures, coma, and death.

Here's WebMD's roundup of some of the breakthroughs in diabetes control tools.

New Diabetes Control Tools: Continuous Glucose Monitors

Many people with diabetes lance their fingers 2 or more times a day to check glucose levels. But even with as many as 9 finger sticks a day, patients still spend less than 30 percent of the day in a normal range, Kowalski says. "It's often a teeter-totter that a person with diabetes stands on."

Now, imagine getting a glucose reading every 5 minutes. That's 288 readings in 24 hours -- or almost 100 times what one would get with 3 finger sticks a day.

Thanks to the continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), this is possible. With a CGM, the user inserts a disposable, needle-like sensor under abdominal skin. The sensor measures glucose in tissue fluid, not blood. The sensor then transmits the data every 5 minutes to a monitor.

"It shows graphically what the patient's glucose level is doing in real time 24 hours a day," says Steve Sabicer, spokesman for Medtronic. (This is the company that introduced the first CGM in 2005.)

When people can see glucose trends continuously, they can make "real-time" decisions, says David Klonoff MD, FACP, Medical Director of the Diabetes Research Institute at Mills-Peninsula Health Services in San Mateo, California. For example, it helps them know when to inject insulin or to eat. "They can take action right now. They spend less time with high blood sugar and less time with low blood sugar."

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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