Some may have seen a round, small and white device placed on the forearm of some person met by chance. And it may have even happened to observe that, whoever has it, frames it with the mobile phone. We will therefore be wondering what it will be. In this article, we try to clarify a rather delicate topic.
It’s a blood glucose self-monitoring system. But is it really effective? First let’s see as did.
It features a subcutaneous sensor and a removable transmitter attached to a small, mostly round, plaque. It can only be applied since medical staff and can last up to 180 days. The sensor also has a silicone ring that contains an anti-inflammatory. Through the application downloaded on the mobile phone, and after framing the sensor, a number appears indicating the glucose value. So here’s how a device can really benefit diabetic health.
How does it work?
It is not a classic glucometer: in fact, you do not need to prick your finger to take capillary blood. Rather, the device evaluates the amount of glucose through the interstitial fluid, that is, the fluid that surrounds the cells. The collected data is then transmitted via Bluetooth to the mobile phone which also indicates when the device needs to be changed.
The Ministry of Health in 2014 included it among the medical devices by inserting it in the official database. It must be said, however, that the data it provides are not instantaneous, but a little later than that of the traditional measurement system. This is because the device is not in direct contact with blood. In fact, it could happen that, in cases of sudden rise in the glucose level, the system reads them as lower than the actual ones. While it is a more convenient system than a finger prick, experts recommend keeping traditional measuring strips with you at all times.
Here’s how a device can really benefit the health of diabetics
It is a technological system that, for now, can only be purchased on the Internet. As regards, however, the reimbursement of the cost, the National Health Service has meanwhile been activated in the Emilia Romagna region, in the presence of certain requirements. It is advisable to visit the relative institutional sites of the relevant Region. It can be really essential for those suffering from type 1 diabetes and, therefore, to keep the sudden changes in blood sugar under control. But doctors are more cautious when it comes to type 2 diabetes. There would, in fact, be the risk of substituting far more effective and documented methods.
Further advice
- The choice between self-control system and traditional system must always be agreed with your own specialized doctor;
- It is the doctor who identifies to which patients one or the other system can be assigned;
- To learn about the self-measurement method it is necessary to rely on health personnel;
In a previous article, we talked about blood glucose values that can reveal pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.