Smartwatches and Diabetes Monitors
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a lot of fitness and health features including ECG tracking and fall detection. It also tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and 24/7 activity monitoring.
While it doesn’t monitor sugar levels directly, it can broadcast readings from compatible continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems like Dexcom. This lets diabetics glance at their real-time glucose level trends and history from the comfort of their wrist.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
People with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels regularly to ensure that they are within a healthy range. In addition, they often have to administer insulin as a medicine to help regulate their glucose levels.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices make it possible for people to easily monitor blood sugar levels throughout the day without having to perform finger sticks. They use a small sensor that is inserted beneath the skin (typically on the belly or upper arm) and a transmitter to capture glucose readings and send them to a device like a smartwatch or pager-like monitor.
The Eversense CGM device, for example, uses a small implant to measure the interstitial fluid in your body and then sends the data to an app or monitor every 5 minutes. It also provides on-body vibration alerts if your sugar falls or is high. This information can help you adjust your food, medication, and activity levels to keep your blood sugar in the ideal range.
Dexcom
The Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System is a medical device and wearable that allows people with diabetes to discretely monitor their blood glucose levels while also tracking their goals and receiving high or low alerts.
It uses a sensor placed under the skin and a transmitter that sends real-time glucose data to a compatible smartphone+ every 5 minutes. People can view their glucose data digitally on their smartwatch or compatible mobile devices if they are wearing them and the phone is within 6 meters of the transmitter.
This real-time glucose data is analyzed to show trends and patterns so that people can make informed decisions about their diet and activity. The Dexcom G6 does not require any fingerstick calibrations and users report improved glycemic control, treatment satisfaction and lower episodes of hypo- and hyperglycemia. The sensor is small, discreet and comfortable and the inserter makes it easy to insert the sensor with one hand.
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre is a medical device and wearable for tracking Blood Glucose levels. It won the Prix Galien award for best medical technology and has received FDA approval. It removes the need for finger stick testing and doesn’t require calibration. The sensor is about the size of two stacked quarters and applies to the back of your arm. You scan it with a reader that displays real-time glucose readings and trends. You can also set alarms to alert you when your blood sugar is high or low.
The device is designed to be worn day and night and you can link it up to your mobile phone for viewing. You can see trends over time and learn how food, exercise, stress, etc, affect your sugar levels. You can also share the data with your diabetes healthcare team so they can help you make better decisions. The newer version of the Freestyle Libre system can also ‘talk’ to insulin pumps.
Monitoring Diabetes
More and more people with diabetes are choosing to use a flash glucose monitor that doesn’t require them to prick their fingers. The device uses a sensor you wear on your skin and sends a reading of your blood sugar to a smartphone or smartwatch.
You might have seen an ad on TikTok featuring Nick Jonas jogging and glancing down at his phone to see his blood sugar levels. This is the type of monitor that’s often recommended for athletes and people with type 1 diabetes who want to know their results as they exercise, sleep, or eat.
Some models can also be programmed to send real-time information directly to another person’s smartphone, such as a spouse or caregiver. This capability was first announced by Dexcom in 2021. Another exciting development was the release of a device from Israeli startup GlucoWISE that uses a sensor you place on your finger to detect and measure glucose in the interstitial fluid.
OnePhenix is the only IPAAS software that connects your wearable data to your healthcare professionals. www.Onephenix.com.au
References
https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/wrist-smartwatches-and-diabetes-tech