Image courtesy of Unsplash
Justin Bennett of HealthyFit.info reached out to us with an interest in writing an article on technology aids for people with diabetes. Caregivers, as well as those who know of someone living with diabetes, will find these tips useful. Please welcome our guest blogger as he offers practical advice on technology apps for diabetics.
Individuals with diabetes are responsible for constantly tracking their health, which can often seem time-intensive and overwhelming. Fortunately, medical options and technology continue to improve, providing new, more efficient, and cheaper options for diabetics to monitor their health. Read on to learn more about recent technological developments that can have a positive impact on life for diabetics.
Monitor with Apps
There are now a number of apps that provide advanced options for monitoring glucose. Just a few of these apps include:
mySugr: This app packs a variety of functions into its feature set. It allows you to create entries that include meals, medications, and blood sugar levels. You can access views of your data by the week, through thirty days, and through three months. Ranked explains that it also provides a gamified experience, making it easy and fun to use. On top of all that, it enables you to run reports to share with your health care professionals.
BG Monitor: The BG Monitor app is solely focused on diabetes management. The app automatically calculates insulin dosages and sets blood glucose targets for each meal. It also takes some of the math off your plate by calculating total carbohydrates from multiple food servings and items. With all this data, the app is able to provide insight into your blood glucose levels over time, allowing you to identify trends and adjust your insulin dosages.
Health2Sync: Health2Sync provides diabetes management with a personal touch. The app allows diabetic individuals to keep a full record of their blood glucose data and daily activities. It will also provide reminders and tips based on your records.
The app lets you invite your healthcare team, family, and friends to serve as partners to help in your mission to control your glucose levels as well. They can send messages if your numbers look off or provide notes of encouragement.
Glucose Buddy: Connecting to any Dexcom glucometer, the Glucose Buddy app allows you to log your blood sugar, insulin, and medication. It also enables tracking of important data like exercise and meals, and from there the app can offer insights into your diabetes management. The Glucose Buddy app also provides a robust community of users who can provide support and connection.
There are a wide variety of apps available to support the needs of diabetic individuals. Take some time to isolate what would be most helpful for you, and then find the app that is the best fit.
Get Moving
Harvard Health Publishing explains that getting regular exercise is a critical component of any diabetes care plan. There are the obvious benefits of exercise – weight control, lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, and strengthened muscles and bones. Exercise, however, provides added benefits for individuals with diabetes, including:
- Lowered blood glucose levels
- Boosted sensitivity to insulin, reducing insulin resistance
- Lowered risk of heart disease
Given the importance of exercise, any tools that help remind diabetics to make exercise a part of their daily routine will be helpful. One great tool is an activity tracker. The Apple Watch Series 4 is a bit expensive but offers a number of great features and health metrics. On top of standard fitness tracking, it includes a built-in electrical heart sensor, low and high heart rate notifications, fall detection, emergency SOS, cadence and pace alerts for runners, activity sharing with friends, and monthly fitness challenges.
If you are looking for a less expensive and simpler fitness tracker, Fitbit offers Inspire. The touchscreen, easy-to-read display, and straightforward system allow users to keep on top of their basic information easily.
When it comes to diabetes, knowledge is power, and technology is offering up all sorts of new ways to gain knowledge, insight, and support for diabetes management. Take stock of all the options out there, choose those that would be most helpful to you, and then take advantage of the opportunities they provide. Technology is doing more for diabetics than ever, so put it to work for your health.
