Diabetic Testing Made Easier
The physician Hesy-Ra first recognized diabetes in ancient Egypt, but it was not until the 1700s that John Rollo, a Scottish physician, first developed a glucose test for diabetics. Still, this test was intended for physicians and hospital use only. In the 1940s, Helen Murray Free, a chemist, further advanced glucose testing when she developed dry reagents that allowed for the development of a home urinalysis kit for diabetics. A home blood glucose test followed, which offered even more accuracy and precision.
Since then, home glucose monitoring has been an increasingly important part of diabetes management, and diabetic testing has been made even easier with many more advances. Non-coded meters, meters that test alternative sites, continuous blood glucose monitoring, multi-test systems, laser lancets, and downloadable systems all give people with diabetes more control over their disease by providing more accurate test results with less pain. Non-invasive systems are currently in the testing process, meaning even less pain and more accurate test results for diabetics.
Traditional blood glucose monitoring requires a lancet and a testing strip to measure the blood glucose level, as well as a blood glucose meter to read the strip. The lancet is used to prick the finger, and the drop of blood is placed onto the strip, and then the strip is placed into the blood glucose meter. Within a period of time, which varies according to the type of meter, the blood glucose level is read and displayed.
Standard blood glucose meters required the user to recalibrate the meter by inputting the new code each time a new batch of test strips was used. If the user failed to do this, inaccurate readings would be obtained. Non-coded meters remove this responsibility from the user; the blood glucose monitor automatically recalibrates itself as soon as the new test strip is inserted, reducing the risk of an inaccurate reading due to improper coding of test strips.
Alternative site testing is ideal for those who prefer to test sites other than their fingertips. Alternative site testing requires a specific type of meter that requires only the smallest of blood drops to be tested. The Food and Drug Administration approves meters to be used for this purpose. Because alternative sites, such as the stomach or thigh, contain far fewer nerve endings than the fingertips, they are inherently less painful for the tester. Routine blood glucose results have been shown to be accurate, but hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic results should be verified with a finger prick test.
Continuous blood glucose monitoring involves a device that monitors blood glucose levels at all times, providing over 280 blood sugar measurements every day. A sensor is implanted beneath the skin, which transmits results to a device that is worn similarly to an insulin pump. The sensor must be replaced every 72 hours, which can be a drawback to its use, but the continuous measurements provide an incredibly accurate picture of an individual’s daily blood glucose levels in response to activity, food intake, and insulin levels.
Multi-test systems work without using test strips at all. They contain a cartridge instead, and blood may be used from either the fingertip or alternative sites, so the users may experience less pain. Between 100 and 250 test results can be stored, depending on the meter used. Some meters even have biosensor technology, meaning results can be obtained in as little as 10 seconds.
Laser lancets are very new and work to drastically reduce the pain of testing altogether. Needle lancets are almost made obsolete by this revolutionary device. There is no need to worry about sterile needles, the product is discreet and simple to carry, and the laser is easy to adjust according to personal needs.
Many new blood glucose meters offer users the option to download results to their computer systems. This gives users the option to compare past readings with current readings, identify trends, or email their blood glucose readings to their primary care physician.
While all of these products currently available offer diabetics many options to reduce their pain and increase their control over their blood sugar management, there are a number of developments on the blood glucose-testing horizon as well. Non-invasive blood glucose testing technology seeks to accurately assess blood glucose levels while freeing the individual from painful finger sticks and alternative site sticks entirely.
Some of these newer technologies being tested include infrared technology that measures the amount of glucose in the blood, “LighTouch” technology that works by projecting specific colors of light into the user’s fingertip to measure blood glucose levels, and even ultrasonic testing, which has already been used in hospitals and is now being tested for home use.
The advances in alternative site meters, development of laser lancets, and non-invasive technology are all geared towards a less painful testing experience for the diabetic. Less painful tests means a greater likelihood of an individual’s following testing protocol.
Memory components, the ability to download results, and the introduction of non-coded machines have all reduced user-errors and improved the ability to track results. All of these developments lead to more accurate testing, which allows an individual greater control over their diabetes.
Advances in diabetic healthcare technology making diabetic testing easier can provide a diabetic with both accuracy and accountability, giving them the power they need to manage their blood sugar and live their lives to the fullest.
