New stick-on diabetes device offers a break from finger pricking
Diabetics who must prick their fingers to test blood sugar levels every day often end up with sore and calloused hands – which is why needle-free devices are always a welcome arrival in the treatment market.
A gadget developed under British scientist Jared Watkin is now on the scene that can be worn on the back of the upper arm and monitors glucose levels for up to 14 days. The Libre sensor can work for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, Express reports, and it continuously monitors blood sugar levels from a 5mm-long prong that is nestled under the skin and reacts with bodily fluids.
“This system will help people considerably because it will be so much easier for them to work with," said Dr. Gerry Rayman, who recently started a trial with the device on patients in Ipswich Hospital in Suffolk. "I have a 12-year-old patient who has had diabetes for five years. She has been very good but has just hit a brick wall and cannot continue with finger-sticking. Her fingers are all calloused and painful."
Device could lead to better diabetes management
Finger pricking can lead to poor diabetes control if patients struggle to prick often enough due to irritation or inconvenience, Rayman explained.
“Finger-pricking is a hassle and can be embarrassing," he said. "Many people forget to do it so don’t have a complete picture of their condition. Failing to control long-term diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy, renal failure and foot complications that can lead to amputation."
Without consistent readings, patients can't get an accurate picture of their daily blood sugar patterns – a problem the new sensor aims to solve. The Libre can store up to eight hours worth of data before it must be downloaded, and it can work through clothing.
Abbot, the company that developed the device, will petition the NHS to adopt it for use, which may ultimately help lower the U.K.'s $10 billion annual diabetes treatment costs. If approved, the device could be on the market for sale later this year.
Source: Express
Photo credit: Gualberto107/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...