What are diabetes technology topics most pressing for 2023?
Houston Endocrine Center2023-01-05T14:13:57+00:00The diabetes technology industry is an exciting sector with many daily innovations. From sensors to smart pens and pumps, there are new ways to keep your blood sugar in check and monitor side effects. In this article, we will discuss, What are diabetes technology topics most pressing for 2023? so that you can make informed decisions on which technologies are right for you.
Sensors for glucose monitoring
The importance of glucose monitoring is clear. It allows people with diabetes to keep track of their blood sugar levels and make any necessary adjustments in their diet or medication. However, there’s a big difference between a continuous glucose monitor and a standard blood glucose meter. A continuous glucose monitor measures your blood sugar continuously, giving you an accurate picture of your body’s overall health. This type of technology allows users to see the trends in their data over time to learn how certain foods affect their bodies or when they need to take insulin shots if their blood sugar goes too low (hypoglycemia). Continuous sensors also save time because there’s no need for multiple tests throughout the day; just one sensor does all the work!
Beyond blood glucose measurements
The future of diabetes management will not be limited to tracking blood glucose levels. It won’t even be about that at all.
The technology we see moving forward will allow users to collect data on various other metrics—and the value in doing so is immense. For example:
- A ketone sensor can provide an early warning sign of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia; they’re already being used by some diabetes patients today (usually with a separate device).
- Blood pressure monitors are inexpensive and easy to use as part of an overall health management plan for people with diabetes—especially those who take multiple daily medications that affect their cardiovascular system. It isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine these becoming common tools in blood sugar monitoring systems in the future, either through integration into smartwatches or smartphones or even standalone devices like Fitbits that can measure heart rate, as well as oxygen saturation levels via electrocardiograms (ECGs) instead of a finger, stick every few hours throughout the day when required by doctors’ orders only rarely during hospital stays when medically necessary (such as during surgery).
The benefits of having this data at your fingertips are obvious: You can act on it immediately to make the best decisions for yourself and your health. Imagine seeing your blood glucose levels trending too high or too low—and then determining what’s causing the problem before it becomes a crisis.
Sensors for Ketone monitoring
The next big development in diabetes technology is likely to be sensors for ketone monitoring.
If you have type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to keep up with the amount of glucose in your blood. To compensate for that, your body turns fat into ketones and uses those instead of glucose for energy—which can cause problems (like DKA).
Ketone monitors are already available on a prescription basis, but in 2023 we’ll see them become more widely available as an over-the-counter device or through insurance coverage.
Smart insulin pens
Smart insulin pens are a great way to improve the lives of people with diabetes, as they can be used to administer insulin in an automated way, so you don’t have to worry about injecting yourself. They can also help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels more easily.
The main drawback is that they’re expensive, but the cost should come down over time as technology evolves and competition increases.
Insulin pumps
Insulin pumps are the most common type of diabetes technology and can be used to deliver basal and bolus insulin. A small computer implanted under your skin controls these pumps, which can be programmed to deliver different amounts of insulin at different times.
Insulin pump users wear a sensor on their abdomen or arm that measures glucose levels to alert the pump when it needs to deliver insulin. Some people use a one-time injection (called an external infusion device) with their pump, usually before bedtime or after meals.
Insulin pumps are not for everyone. They can be expensive and require regular maintenance. If you’re interested in using an insulin pump, talk with your doctor about whether it’s right for you.
Sensors for side effects
The next generation of diabetes technology will include sensors for side effects.
- Heart rate monitoring
- GPS tracking
- Exercise tracking (distance, intensity)
- Sleep tracking (time spent in REM cycles and other phases of sleep)
- Stress monitoring
Sensors for early diagnosis
Sensors that can predict the onset of diabetes, or at least provide an indicator of its development, present a huge opportunity to improve treatment.
Sensor technology is developing rapidly. Last year’s smart insulin pens will be replaced this year by sensors embedded in your body that detect changes in your glucose levels and deliver insulin accordingly. These sensors are being created with tiny microprocessors and batteries, so they are accurate and powerful enough to control blood sugar without needing wires or other external connections.
Insulin delivery systems like pumps and pen devices may also include sensors that use data from continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to determine when you need more insulin or carbs based on how you responded the last time you ate something similar — again, with no need for wires or external connections between devices!
Conclusion
Diabetes can cause serious health problems, affecting more than 100 million Americans. With so many people affected by this disease and its complications, advancements in diabetes management are vital to improving the quality of life for everyone who suffers from the condition. Diabetes technology is a rapidly growing field with many potential applications for healthcare providers and patients.