Diabetes Technology

The main goal of glucose control in diabetes is to prevent diabetes complications such as eye, kidney, and nerve problems. Also, to make sure people managing diabetes aren’t having dangerously high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) blood sugars. Diabetes treatment has improved over the years due to innovative technologies. There are many different technologies currently available that can help you manage your diabetes. As technology advances, determining the best glucose management tool will vary with each person. Talk with your doctor and/or diabetes educator about which option is right for you. Understanding the difference between each may simplify the options to suit your lifestyle.

Learn More about Types of Diabetes Technology

• Blood Glucose Meters (Self-Monitoring)
• Insulin Pumps
• Continuous Glucose Monitors
• Automated Insulin Delivery (Closed-Loop: Artificial Pancreas)

Newer Types of Diabetes Technology

New technologies are available today that can really help improve your glucose management. Many of these technologies are becoming more common and may be covered by your insurance. Talk to your healthcare team about if these options are right for you.

Apps are platforms that make life with diabetes and dealing with diabetes information easier. These apps have three main goals:

1. Coaching platform to help support daily management (e.g. WellDoc, BlueStar, Livongo, and Lark)
2. Data integration platform to sync with other glucose management devices (e.g.Glooko, Cornerstones4Care, One Drop, mySugr)
3. Decision support platforms can help users make the best decision with glucose management (e.g. SugarIQ, bolus calculators)

Bluetooth-enable pens:

• A reusable injector pen plus with an intuitive smartphone interface that supports dose control, automatic delivery and measurement
• An insulin care logbook supports temperature, dose calculation, dose reminders, and reporting without doing anything different

Closed-loop- connecting insulin pumps and CGM to make insulin delivery automatic

Closing the Loop on Diabetes Technology

The goal of the medical community is to improve blood glucose management. Insulin pumps and CGM’s make insulin delivery automatic by allowing users to see the daily effects. Insulin analog has big advantages for dealing with changes in glucose levels. Insulin pumps provide flexibly with how to deliver insulin. Now experts are looking to close the loop and move diabetes management to the background and not a part of a daily struggle. Diet, exercise, sickness, stress, sleep, and many other factors can make the insulin demand fluctuate. Because of these unpredictable variables, designing an algorithm that will work in all conditions and all people is next to impossible. Newer technologies for treating diabetes can help you maintain a healthier life, possibly even returning your glucose levels to non-diabetic levels. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn what is best for you.