Body Talk – Diabetes

The technology that is powering our fi ght against diabetes.

The spectre of diabetes is one that has become prevalent in recent years, particularly in the type 2 form of the disease, with over 85% of diagnoses being brought about as a result of poor health and lifestyle choices.

Type 1 diabetes, meanwhile, which is generally considered more dangerous, can develop at any age, and is most prevalent in children and adolescents.

In both cases, the use of oral drugs is recommended in order to keep blood sugar levels under control, yet a number of ground-breaking technological developments look set to make our detection and management of diabetes that much better.

One such tech development is the wider introduction of insulin pumps and smart insulin pens. In the past, a basic insulin pen was used at the onset of symptoms; yet now an insulin pump (a small electronic device that releases the regular insulin your body needs to make it through the day and night) can do the detective work for you.

There is also tech that checks blood sugar levels - for instance, Flash and CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) devices can produce a reading without even the need to prick your fi nger. There are also ketone monitors – ketones being poisonous chemicals that develop if there’s not enough insulin in your blood to allow glucose to enter the cells.

Finally, in a new study announced this summer, people who suffer from type 2 diabetes could be helped to lose weight while they sleep.

The new method suggests breathing lower amounts of oxygen during sleep (something known as hypoxia) could lead to weight loss.

Initial trials are being run at the University of Portsmouth, investigating whether sleeping in special tents that create an environment of lower oxygen in the air is effective at improving blood glucose control, and has a subsequent impact on weight loss.

The evidence suggests hypoxia can reduce appetite and burn more calories in people who have type 2 diabetes. And with people living with type 2 diabetes expected to reach 700 million worldwide by 2045, the effect of this technology on world health could be gamechanging.

that releases the regular insulin who suffer from type 2 diabetes could be helped to lose weight while they sleep. The new method suggests breathing lower amounts of oxygen during sleep (something known as hypoxia) could lead to weight loss.