If you have diabetes, having to use the finger stick method to test your blood glucose levels day in and day out can leave your fingers tender and sore. And if you happen to have Type 1 diabetes and need to test more frequently, the process can get downright painful. As a result, many people don’t keep up with their blood sugar readings that are so important to maintaining overall health.
Newer alternatives, such as continuous glucose monitors, can help some patients. But these devices still require a semi-permanent probe to be inserted into the abdomen, which has its own issues, and the cost is still prohibitive for many people suffering from diabetes.
Progress in the works
Health care officials realize that better, easier testing methods can help increase compliance rates for proper self-monitoring, and many researchers have been working on alternatives. Several promising discoveries are moving through the research and development phases right now, and some may be only a few years away from approval. Just a few months ago, Japanese researchers announced the discovery of tiny glucose-detecting micro beads, but a number of other ideas are on the cusp as well. Take a look at some of the alternatives ahead:
All-in-one smart phone devices– Tired of carrying around multiple diabetes devices along with your other personal items? Why not combine them? Two research students at Northwestern University won the 2009 Diabetes Mine award for their design of a hardware and software system that combines with an iPhone. Although still based on using the finger-stick testing method, the LifeApp and LifeCase system streamlines the process and includes a special iPhone case that carries test strips and lancets.
Another recently introduced device features an even more streamlined blood glucose meter that plugs into an iPhone. The hold up for both of these devices is with the FDA, who is unsure how to proceed in regulating smart phones used in conjunction with diabetes monitoring.
Implantable monitors– After having been put on the back burner for a few years, implantable glucose monitors are starting to make a comeback due to improved stability, consistent results and better communication technology. Previous solutions often produced inconsistent results and stored data on the chip itself, which would lock information away until it could be retrieved later, limiting the possible uses for the technology. Now devices in development are tapping into Radio Frequency (RFID) technology and other telemetry that allows them to communicate wirelessly and constantly with receivers outside the body. Some models in development can send alerts to a cell phone. This may be particularly useful for parents of kids with Type 1 diabetes who fear nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Light sensors for the skin– Research for using light sensors on the skin has been underway for more than 15 years, but progress continues to be encouraging. The technology has some limitations, including the need to calibrate frequently and the size of the devices, which are currently large units the size of a shopping cart. Additionally, the technology uses near-infrared light, which only penetrates the skin by a half millimeter. As a result, it measures glucose in the skin cells, rather than the blood. Researchers are working to overcome this problem through algorithms that calculate the blood sugar based on those interstitial measurements. They also continue to work toward miniaturization of the devices.
Eye scans using a special camera– The eyes are the windows to not only your soul, but also the make up of chemicals in your body. New technology is in development for a camera that can scan the eyes and detect drugs in the body, glaucoma, and perhaps even blood sugar levels. The technique essentially uses the blood vessels in the eye as a test tube. Instead of drawing fluid out and testing it, the camera shines in a special light that measures optical changes, which can then be correlated to chemical changes. Developers hope to have a cell-phone sized model available on the market within a few years.
Diabetes Tattoos– This concept uses miniscule sensors in place of ink to stain the few layers of skin a yellowish-orange color. The hollow sensors draw blood into the middle and react with the glucose levels of the blood. The more sugar in your blood, the lighter the tattoo becomes. The lower your glucose levels, the darker the tattoo. While changes are nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, a reader device that uses a special light sensor displays changes prominently. Although limited to mice, research studies have successfully tracked glucose levels compared to finger-stick readings. Human trials are still to come. Once approved, patients would have to purchase an Epi-pen like device to self-administer tattoos once a week as well as the reader required to view the results.
Don’t slack on current testing methods
While alternatives are on the horizon, many won’t be available for several years. Whether you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic, maintaining an even blood sugar and reducing high and low glucose extremes is central to your health. While using the finger-stick method can be painful, it can also help you prevent serious complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, blindness or amputation. Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations and test frequently.
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