Most Important Thing We Can Do To Prevent Diabetes

According to experts, great progress has been made on insulin pumps and glucose monitoring. Constant glucose monitoring is achieved by means of a small sensor which is inserted in the skin by a doctor. It sends data about the existing glucose levels to a pager-like wireless gadget. The sensor has to be replaced after every 3-7 days. This is quite a remarkable achievement considering that before the sensor was introduced; people were required to urinate on a piece of paper to get a rough estimate of their blood glucose levels. But with this amazing glucose monitoring method in place, it is now possible to get an accurate update every few minutes.

People with type 2 diabetes needing injected insulin have something to smile about. This is because of the introduction of more refined insulin pumps which provide smaller and more accurate doses of insulin. Experts are currently working on a technology that will wholly mechanize the collaboration of continuous glucose monitor and the insulin pump. This will make pressing of the button on the pump when a monitor gives out signals unnecessary. The monitor will instead prompt the pump to release the insulin dose directly. The two will work together without a patient's participation thus creating what specialists term as "artificial pancreas".