A Game-Changing, Gamifying Diabetes App
A diabetes app that's been a sensation in Europe just launched in the US, and it's a whole new take on the task of blood sugar monitoring.
The app is called mySugr Companion. It's an FDA-approved diabetes management app that helps people with insulin-treated diabetes take control of their therapy through play, transforming diabetes self-care from a required ritual into a fun, interactive experience.
A Game-Changer
Let's face it, regardless of just how important it is, managing your diabetes with insulin is frustrating and boring. There's a lot of data to keep track of – blood glucose levels, food intake matching to insulin doses – things you have to do several times every day. As almost every type 1 diabetic knows, this can lead to neglectful practices, ones that can be life-threatening.
This inspired the people at mySugr to get pro-active. Says company co-founder (and type 1 diabetic) Fredrik Debong:
Currently, 371 million people around the world live with diabetes. Frequent blood sugar monitoring and pattern analysis are key to optimal diabetes control, but the day-in-day-out monotony can lead even the most responsible patients to diabetes burnout. mySugr Companion transforms a manual chore into a fun, interactive game.
How does it work? Check out some of the features of mySugr Companion for iOS devices:
- - Gamified monitoring so that players "tame a diabetes monster" by points accumulation
- - Quick and easy activity and food logging (includes snapshots of meals)
- - It nicely complements the user's existing diabetes management tools
- - It gives convenient and instant diabetes data analysis
- - It features in-app challenges that help users set and reach personal goals
- - It allows users to create PDF files that they can email to their healthcare providers
- - Secure data backup
- - They've partnered with major patient advocacy groups like Diabetes Hands Foundation and JDRF
You can see some videos of the app on YouTube here and also here.
Gamified by and for Diabetics
Endorsed by Tim Ferriss, best-selling author of The 4-Hour Body, this app might not be for everyone, but it's currently the number one diabetes management app in the Medical category of the App Store in six countries, including Germany, France and Italy.
Again, this is an FDA-approved medical device. And since so many of the folks who work at mySugr are diabetics, this is an App developed by diabetics for diabetics.
While currently only available at the App Store, I'm told the Android version should arrive in a month or two.
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