Say "so long" to finger pricks and "hello" to the latest methods to measure your glucose

The days that diabetics need to prick their fingers can be numbered, thanks to applications that monitor your glucose levels.

Some of the latest advances in blood glucose monitoring involve small devices that provide remote access to blood glucose data and changes.

The Continuous Blood Glucose (CGM) meter reads blood glucose levels continuously through a tiny electrode sensor implanted under the skin and held in place by an adhesive. A small transmitter is attached above the sensor, allowing wireless data to be sent to a mobile device, tablet or smart watch. Monitors can be used by people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

"The continuous glucose meter has completely changed the game for us," says Lauren Glorioso, 50, of Deerfield Beach. Her daughter, Isabella, 10, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four years ago.

"One night, before receiving the monitor, Isabella was sleeping and my mother's instinct asked me to check her blood sugar," Glorioso said. "It was 40 – very low. It has terrified me. It was 22 hours. and we regularly carry out night checks at 2 o'clock in the morning. It's scary to think of everything that could have happened in four hours. "

The next day she phoned Isabella's endocrinologist at the Salah Foundation Children's Hospital at Broward Health. She and Isabella were trained to use the monitor.

"This has given us great peace of mind and has allowed us countless times to avoid a scary or dangerous level," Glorioso said. "It's so much more freedom for Isabella than I could have left her without. She sleeps over her grandparents' house, goes to birthdays, dances in a competitive dance team and sings in a choir at school. We can monitor his blood sugar no matter where we are.

Glorioso says Isabella's school nurse is looking at her numbers on an iPad while she's at school.

"The use of the monitor reduces the amount of punctures in the fingers, it is a very accurate tool that helps to adjust insulin requirements," she said.

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 30 million Americans – or nearly 10% of the population – have diabetes, according to data from 2015. About 1.25 million children and American adults have type 1 diabetes, while those aged 65 and over account for 25.2% or more. 12 million (diagnosed and undiagnosed). In the United States, every year, 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed, making it the seventh leading cause of death in our country.

People with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, while type 2 people can not use insulin properly. When the body does not have enough insulin or can not use it properly, the sugar builds up in the blood and can cause health problems, such as kidney failure or stroke.

CGM devices make it easier for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to control their blood glucose.

There are different brands of monitors. Some of the most popular are Abbott's FreeStyle Libre and Dexcom. The glucose sensors in most models typically last between 10 days and two weeks before needing replacement.

The transmitter, which sends the sensor glucose data, lasts on average 90 days. The waterproof unit (sensor and transmitter) comes with a type of button that, when pressed on the back of the arm, adhere the sensor. CGM automatically monitors your blood glucose levels throughout the day and night.

"The continuous glucometer has been on the market since the 1990s," said Dr. Heberto R. Valdes, Endocrinologist, Broward Health North, "but patients had to take a finger. One of the main complaints of patients is that they do not like finger pricks.

Most new CGM models self-calibrate, eliminating the need to draw blood from your finger and manually enter your blood glucose reading.

It was only last year that the FDA approved the first continuous glucose monitoring system for adults that does not require calibration of blood samples. The option allowing users to use their own drives, such as mobile devices, has also been added.

Valdes said the main benefits of a CGM are that people are more aware of their blood sugar levels and that they tend to improve their diet and their lifestyle habits. Another benefit is that specialists can read blood glucose reports from their patients.

"On this basis, we can make adjustments to their treatment regimen," he said.

The disadvantages of a CGM, he says, are a range of errors in glucose readings, which usually only happens when a patient applies the CGM incorrectly.

"The blood of finger bites will always be the most accurate," he says.

CGM transmitters work with Bluetooth to send data and measurements to a receiver provided by the company or to a compatible mobile device, which requires the downloading of a specific mobile application to the device. Some CGMs require users to slide a reader over the sensor to get a scan. The analysis captures data, such as current blood glucose readings and a history of eight-hour blood glucose levels.

Alarms sound when the blood glucose level drops or increases. Users can set their own numbers to be alerted before any sudden increase or decrease in blood glucose.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) have issued guidelines stating that patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and those at risk of having a type 2 diabetes are at risk. hypoglycemia and / or unconsciousness of hypoglycemia could benefit from a CGM.

Insulin pumps, which distribute insulin under the skin through a cannula, are often used with CGM.

Vineeth D. Mohan, MD, president of the endocrinology department at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, said that the technology of insulin pumps and the CGM system has evolved considerably in recent years.

"The hope of a true" artificial pancreas "combining these two technologies is becoming more and more a reality," he said. "It is expected that more insulin pumps will interact with blood glucose data and will change the insulin administration to avoid severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia", a- he declared. "Nevertheless, all insulin pump patients require significant training and daily attention to be able to successfully manage their problem."

Many apps are available on mobile devices to help people better manage their diabetes. Glucosio is an application for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It monitors important criteria such as cholesterol, weight, hemoglobin A1c, ketones, blood pressure, etc. A list of this year's best diabetes apps for Android and iPhone is available at www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/top-iphone-android-apps.

And then there is the technology that connects patients and their families emotionally, providing support and advice on how to live with diabetes, cope with the situation and thrive with it.

Nicklaus Children's Hospital organizes monthly online discussion forums for teens with type 1 diabetes and, starting in December, a parent support group for parents of toddlers and infants. preschoolers with diabetes. In the spring, the hospital offers a seminar entitled "In College With Diabetes" for teenagers at the university. There is also a technology day during the first week of November to familiarize families with the latest glucose monitoring tools, such as insulin pumps, MMCs and phone applications.

Awilda Valdes, a Nicklaus Diabetes Clinical Nurse, said the hospital was designed to help patients and their families find support, resources and talk to other people struggling with the disease.

"We decided it would be a way to get more families into the comfort of their own homes," she said. "There is a need for support in our community."

Lizbeth Ramirez, 20, of Homestead, is the focus group leader. She says that being able to talk to others about her age who are experiencing the same thing helps her to feel better. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15 years.

"Attending meetings helped because type 1 diabetes is a life-changing disease," she says. "Having kids your age who can relate to it really improves your mood," she says.

According to her, some of the topics she and her peers discuss are: healthy food choices, carbohydrate counting, going to college, and daily diabetes treatment.