The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a mobile app that would drastically help diabetics. Concerned parents or caregivers, for example, could monitor a person's glucose levels from afar, providing them with peace of mind.
The Dexcom Share device, Dexcom G4, is the latest development that marries insulin delivery with blood sugar monitoring while also removing the often trial-and-error task of calibrating insulin doses. It works by having one app installed on a patient's device and another app installed on another individual's device (the person who wishes to be privy to the information). Details are made possible via a small sensor that the diabetic adheres to their skin. Such information can be viewed in real-time, so people may be made aware of fluctuations in glucose levels and then take necessary action.
It's slated to be available in March 2015.
Artificial pancreas system a helpful "bridge" until biological cure is found
Aaron Kowalski, chief mission officer and vice president for research at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, says that getting technologies that already exist to come together and create an easier, safer process such as this new one, is an important step that will ease diabetics' lives. In fact, he refers to this latest development as an artificial pancreas "system," that's "trying to replace mechanically what's lost in diabetes."
He applauds the technology but acknowledges that the artificial pancreas system is merely a bridge until a biological cure is found.
"Ultimately," Kowalski said, "we want to get rid of the devices. But in the meantime, we want to keep people healthy and ease the burden. So that's what we're trying to do: make smarter pumps until we have more nature-made solutions."
In the United States, diabetes affects over 29 million Americans, or close to 10 percent of the population. Another 21 million are thought to be diabetic but unaware that they have the disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, it's also the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
To help manage blood sugar levels, many diabetics turn to foods that help control the disease.
Foods to help manage diabetes
Several foods have been identified as being beneficial for diabetics.
Consumption of dark chocolate, for example, has been found to reduce insulin resistance, lower insulin levels and fasting blood glucose, improve insulin sensitivity and diminish cravings. It's explained that dark chocolate contains flavonoids, a nutrient which makes these healthy benefits possible.
Another food that's considered ideal for diabetics is broccoli. The cruciferous superfood contains anti-inflammatory compounds that keep heart problems at bay, something that is not uncommon to develop among diabetics. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for these people.
Steel-cut oats, which are high in magnesium, are also recommended as part of a diabetics diet. Considering that an eight-year trial showed a 19 percent decrease in type 2 diabetes risk in women who were consuming a magnesium-rich diet, steel cut oats are a smart choice.
Between proper eating habits and the ongoing development of new technologies and studies, diabetes management is becoming easier, safer and much more commonplace.
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