How Are The Big Players Trying To Make It A Reality
So how are the companies making smartwatches and fitness trackers trying to solve this problem of delivering non-invasive glucose monitoring from the wrist? Some have been more open about their ambitions than others to make it possible, while there’s been speculation aplenty about others that this is something they are putting the research hours into.
Apple
The biggest player in the game is obviously Apple, which has been rumoured to be interested in glucose monitoring since before the Apple Watch was even a thing. In fact, CEO Tim Cook was rumoured to be testing out a continuous glucose monitoring device before the Series 3 arrived on our wrists. It’s believed to brought on a team of scientists to help deliver the major breakthrough for wearables.
In 2018, Apple was granted a patent for technology that sounds a lot like potential non-invasive glucose monitoring. It uses a light-based optical monitor that measures substance in blood and then sees how it changes. Basically, checking your blood for glucose.
More recently, there was speculation that an Apple Watch that can track blood glucose was in the works and that Apple was testing reliability and stability of the functionality before a launch.
Samsung
Apple’s big rivals Samsung want in on the holy grail too. It’s already managed to provide ECG and blood pressure monitoring data with the latter needing to be calibrated with a dedicated blood pressure monitor every few weeks.
Fitbit
Alphabet
The Problem Of Glucose Monitoring In Real
Its easy to see why a smartwatch that could monitor your blood sugar levels could be such a game-changer. Imagine a smartwatch that can detect a high sugar intake that causes blood glucose levels to soar and send the wearer a notification to take action. This could even benefit those who dont have a glucose tolerance issue. If they could see in real-time what happens to their body when they consume sugar, would they really consume as much of it?
Of course, nobody wants to have to stab themselves with a needle to take blood to monitor their glucose levels. And while people with diabetes continue to have to do this regularly, the rest of the population would rather not. This is why a wearable that could track glucose levels could be such a hit. Monitoring levels non-invasively in the same way as a wearable can track heart rate would help more people stay healthy for longer without any effort or input on their behalf.
However, its challenging to monitor blood sugar levels in real-time. The traditional process involves taking blood or embedding a sensor underneath the skin. This wouldnt be possible or practical in a wearable.
When it comes to people with diabetes, the chances of developing a device that is accurate enough any time soon are minimal indeed. Its impossible to obtain that amount of data only from interstitial fluid a drop of real blood is necessary.
# Apple Watch Series 5
Apart from the so many features and user-friendly zone that apple has provided they have also added the continuous glucose monitoring feature in their new Apple Watch Series.
In collaboration with Dexcom, the apple has developed an app that can track your glucose level and provide a graph report.
Unlike any glucose monitor or body sensor you do not need a 2 handheld device that you have to carry everywhere you go to check the blood sugar level, you can just wear this watch and look at it anytime you want a report.
They also offer you 2 apps so you can have one installed for your view and the person with whom you want to share the data like a doctor can access the second app.
Recommended Reading: How Does Diet Soda Affect Blood Sugar
How A Cgm Works
While each brand of CGM technology works slightly different, they have many similarities.
- Most CGM sensors consist of three parts: sensor , the transmitter , the receiver .
- Most CGM sensors sit in subcutaneous tissue . The sensor is usually inserted with an easy at-home application device that inserts the sensor with a fine needle. The needle instantly retracts, leaving the sensor in place.
- The visible portion of a CGM is the transmitter, which is sits on top of the skin with an adhesive that holds the entire device in place.
- CGM sensors can be placed in several areas of your body, depending on what is most comfortable for the user: back of the arm, side/front torso, lower back, buttocks area, outer thigh, etc. Avoid spots where your body naturally bends a great deal, where clothing might cause irritation or be a burden.
- The process of inserting the CGM sensor is easy and virtually painless.
- Varying based on brand and model, most CGM sensors need to be replaced every 2 weeks.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Might Monitor Blood Glucose Levels
Frickin’ laser beams!
Samsung revived its classically-designed smartwatch line last year, with the release of the Galaxy Watch3. Among other features, it included hardware support for blood oxygen and blood pressure monitoring, even if neither feature worked all that well. Now it looks like the next Galaxy Watch could add a heavily-requested feature: blood glucose monitoring.
Blood glucose monitoring, also known as blood sugar monitoring, is frequently performed by people with diabetes and other conditions that affect blood sugar levels. It normally requires a small blood sample , but according to ET News, Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch will support blood glucose monitoring without the need for piercing the skin. The watch will allegedly use a technology based on Raman spectroscopy, which uses a laser beam to interact with molecular vibrations, then uses data about the shift in energy to determine the molecular makeup of whatever is being scanned.
However, there are at least a few concerns with the feature. Samsung’s last few health features have often proved unreliable , or have extremely slow rollouts in markets outside of Korea, since they have to be approved by each country’s medical agencies.
If Samsung can get the feature working well, it would be a significant breakthrough for the company, as no smartwatches currently offer blood glucose monitoring. Apple is expected to offer a similar feature on its Watch Series 7, which could be released before the Galaxy Watch4.
Don’t Miss: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon
Fitbit Now Supports Blood Glucose Level Tracking Inside
Posted: Feb 10, 2021 · wearables Managing blood sugar levels can be tough if you have to keep pricking yourself to take a small blood sample, so Fitbit’s solution should come in very handy. In a recent blog post, the company said that the blood glucose tracking feature would allow you to log and import your levels and then see them in an easy to use …
How Can I Treat Low Blood Sugar
If youve had low blood sugar without feeling or noticing symptoms , you may need to check your blood sugar more often to see if its low and treat it. Driving with low blood sugar can be dangerous, so be sure to check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel.
Carry supplies for treating low blood sugar with you. If you feel shaky, sweaty, or very hungry or have other symptoms, check your blood sugar. Even if you dont have symptoms but think you may have low blood sugar, check it. If your blood sugar is lower than 70 mg/dL, do one of the following immediately:
- Take four glucose tablets.
- Drink four ounces of fruit juice.
- Drink four ounces of regular soda, not diet soda.
- Eat four pieces of hard candy.
Wait for 15 minutes and then check your blood sugar again. Do one of the above treatments again until your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL or above and eat a snack if your next meal is an hour or more away. If you have problems with low blood sugar, ask your doctor if your treatment plan needs to be changed.
Don’t Miss: Can Type 2 Diabetics Eat Bananas
What Are Blood Sugar Targets
A blood sugar target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. These are typical targets:
- Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL.
- Two hours after the start of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL.
Your blood sugar targets may be different depending on your age, any additional health problems you have, and other factors. Be sure to talk to your health care team about which targets are best for you.
Cgm: Continuous Glucose Monitor
Todays CGMs continuous glucose monitors put diabetes management into the 21st century. This small wearable device provides people with diabetes the blood sugar information we need to make daily management decisions.
Improving both our short and long-term health and safety, CGMs should be considered the standard of care for anyone of any age with any type of diabetes.
Don’t Miss: Which Blood Glucose Lowering Hormone Is Produced By The Pancreatic Islet Cells
Maxte Fitness And Activity Tracker Watch
One of the easiest smartwatches to read, the Maxte Tracker Watch, has a full-color LCD screen with three customizable displays. Its intelligent activity tracker automatically monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen, steps, calories burned, and distance traveled. For those who need to stay connected at all times, it displays call, and text notifications, news headlines in 12 languages, WeChat support, Apple Health compatibility, and has silent alarms, as well as movement reminders to keep you on track.
Is There An Accurate Diabetic Meter That Doesnt Require Blood By Finger Pricking I Introduce You To Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices:
So, to the question, Is there a diabetic meter that doesnt require blood by finger pricking?The answer is yes, and it comes in the form of CGM devices.For monitoring blood glucose, Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices have been the most popular types of wearable devices up until now. Didnt know about CGM before? Well, a method of tracking levels of glucose 24 hours a day is referred to as Continuous Glucose Monitoring .
Moreover, the CGM systems measureglucose levels at regular intervals, all through the day as well as at night. Moreinterestingly, it allows you to view your levels of glucose, whenever you want,at a glance.
For seeing trends, you can reviewthe way of changing your glucose levels after a few hours or one day. Byviewing real-time glucose levels, you will be able to decide more appropriatelythe way of balancing your diet, exercise, and medication throughout the day.
Possibly, a Continuous Glucose Monitoring system benefits people with type 1 diabetes. Besides, type 2 diabetics using multiple injections of insulin, sulfonylureas or basal insulin may also get benefit from it. Other than that, individuals who are unaware of hypoglycemia or are at hypoglycemic risk may also take advantage of the CGM system.
These days many people are looking for Smartwatches that are capable of monitoring blood oxygen, here is a post that I have written about the Best 10 Smartwatches With An Oxygen Sensor which will explain to you everything on the subject.
Read Also: Diabetic Medication Side Effects
Best Blood Pressure Watches For Women Over 50
Posted: Aug 27, 2021 · The Everlast TR10 is a svelte fitness tracker that monitors your blood pressure and heart rate. It also records steps taken, calories burned, and your sleep patterns, painting you an all-encompassing and up-to-the-minute picture of your own health. This watch comes with a remote control camera for taking hands-free selfies from your phone and …
Tracking Steps Blood Sugar And More With Myfitnesspal
Posted: Oct 18, 2013 · MyFitnessPal is the leading app for trackingand conqueringyour nutrition and fitness goals. Log meals from a database of 14 million foods, track physical activity, and learn how to build healthy habits that stick. With more than 500 recipes, 150 workout routines, and a variety of expert-guided meal and workout plans, youll have the support you need for your entire health and fitness …
Also Check: How Does Squeezing Finger Affect Blood Sugar
Long Terms Diabetes Monitoring
If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle with diabetes, a smartwatch is the best option smart wearable technology for viewing the diabetes data in the long term. A good diabetes monitoring watch would display blood sugar figures, provide graphs and generates notifications when your glucose rate exceeds medically specified limit.
Best Apps For Managing Diabetes
According to American Diabetes Association, People living with diabetes have higher risk for complications from COVID-19 pandemic. According to another report, apps really can help people with type 2 diabetes by helping to lower body weight.
Many of these diabetes apps track blood sugar and provide how it responds to exercise and medication, some have logs which include exercise diaries, food diaries. Others can tell how much insulin you took with a meal.
Apps on diabetes smartwatch Here are some best apps for tracking diabetes and monitoring weight loss, we hope you get a watch that can help diabetics in tracking their critical health information.
Check out these apps , I am pretty sure you are going to discover some of them are the diet and nutrition or calorie logging apps to help people with diabetics eat healthier.
- Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker
- Figwee Visual Food Diary Apple Rating: 3.8 and Android Rating: None
- mySugr Apple Rating: 4.7 stars and Android Rating: 4.6 stars
- Health2Sync with Apple Rating: 4.7 and Android Rating: 4.5
Don’t Miss: Glucose Levels High Symptoms
Can The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Monitor Blood Sugar
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic come chock full of health features to monitor heart rate and BMI. However, one feature thats been missing in smartwatches up to this point is an optical blood glucose sensor. So does the Galaxy Watch 4 monitor blood sugar? Unfortunately not. Neither the Galaxy Watch 4 nor the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will monitor blood sugar, as the feature isnt mentioned in any of the spec sheets even though the other health features are mentioned.
There was a rumor Samsungs next smartwatch after the Galaxy Watch 3 would have blood glucose monitoring, but that hasnt borne fruit not yet, anyway. This feature would use a process called Raman spectroscopy to identify blood glucose through the skin, with no actual drawing of blood required. Theoretically, this would help users with diabetes monitor their blood sugar, with less personal inconvenience. It appears now the feature wont be available on Samsung smartwatches in this generation at least.
It goes without saying that users who are looking for blood sugar monitoring devices should first consult with a primary healthcare provider. The health-related sensors in the Watch 4 arent intended to be a substitute for proper medical advice or treatment. Samsung isnt the only company that was reportedly working on the feature for smartwatches, as Apple is reportedly attempting to add it to the upcoming Apple Watch 7 too.
When Should I Check My Blood Sugar
How often you check your blood sugar depends on the type of diabetes you have and if you take any diabetes medicines.
Typical times to check your blood sugar include:
- When you first wake up, before you eat or drink anything.
- Before a meal.
- Two hours after a meal.
- At bedtime.
If you have type 1 diabetes, have type 2 diabetes and take insulin, or often have low blood sugar, your doctor may want you to check your blood sugar more often, such as before and after youre physically active.
Recommended Reading: How To Mix Nph And Regular Insulin
Can We Monitor Blood Glucose With A Smartwatch
Yes, we can monitor the glucose in the blood with a smartwatch. There are very few smartwatches that have this feature.
A smartwatch that has a glucose monitor works with a Dexcom transmitter. A sensor tests the blood sugar level in your body and gives a graph report of the true range through a transmitter. The smartwatch you are wearing keeps track of the sugar level and gives vibrations when your blood reaches the glucose limit.
In the following article, we have provided a list of smartwatches that have glucose monitoring feature which is very useful for a diabitic person
Tips For Purchasing Diabetic Watches
1. Result speed We are living in a fast-paced society where we want everything to be instant. Therefore, it is vital to purchase a diabetic watch band that guarantees instant results. Most glucose monitoring systems take less than 15 seconds to display the results.
2. Ease of use The display should be large enough in order for results to be clearly displayed and avoid reading errors. This is very helpful especially for people who have poor eyesight. Keep in mind, that too many buttons or features could turn out to be overwhelming especially for the elderly.
3. Memory In case you want to store the history of your blood sugar readings your diabetes monitoring device must have the memory function. Some glucose monitoring systems also have data ports. This allows diabetes patients to download their historical blood sugar readings to their personal computers for detailed analysis.
4. Batteries Check the charging life of the batteries and the type of batteries required. Some monitors use batteries that are readily available in most stores whereas others use batteries that are only available in specific places.
Read Also: Is Milk Bad For Type 2 Diabetes
What Benefits Diabetes Can Get From A Smartwatch
Diabetics need to keep track of their blood sugar and general health. The smartwatches below all have features that diabetics will find helpful throughout the day, along with the other popular features that make smartwatches so prevalent.
Using a smartwatch to keep track of your levels reduces stress in diabetics because they can easily have access to important information about their health.
Smart Watches are Great when used alongside traditional testing methods, lifesavers for overnight, and a great stress reducer for people who prefer the ease of not having to prick fingers a few times a day.
For the smartwatch to show the diabetes values, you will need another device, like FreeStyle Libre or Dexcom, that measures your diabetes and send these values to your phone and smartwatch.