Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, has historically been managed through a combination of medication, diet, and exercise. However, the landscape of diabetes care is rapidly evolving, thanks to ground-breaking technological advancements. These innovations are revolutionizing the way we diagnose, treat, and monitor the disease, empowering both people living with diabetes and healthcare providers.
Living with diabetes can be a significant emotional and psychological challenge. The constant need for self-management, the fear of complications, and the stigma associated with the condition can all contribute to a heavy mental burden.
Some of the common mental health issues experienced by people with diabetes include:
- Anxiety: The fear of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) can lead to constant worry and anxiety.
- Depression: The ongoing nature of diabetes can sometimes lead to feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and isolation.
- Stress: The stress of managing diabetes can take a toll on mental health.
- Fear of complications: The risk of long-term complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, can be a source of fear and anxiety.
- Stigma and discrimination: People with diabetes may face stigma and discrimination, which can negatively impact their self-esteem and mental health.
Fortunately, new technologies are available that can help alleviate the mental burden of living with diabetes. These technologies can provide support, education, and tools to help people manage their condition more effectively.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM): A game-changer
One of the most significant technological breakthroughs in diabetes management in the past 10 years is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Unlike traditional finger pricks, CGM systems use a small sensor inserted under the skin to continuously measure blood sugar levels. This real-time data provides people living with diabetes and healthcare providers with a comprehensive understanding of glucose fluctuations throughout the day and night. (NG17 Type 1 diabetes in adults: diagnosis and management; NG 28 Type 2 diabetes in adults: management, NICE 2022).
Benefits of CGM
- Improved glycaemic management: By offering continuous glucose readings, CGM systems help people living with diabetes make more informed decisions about insulin dosing and lifestyle adjustments.
- Reduced hypoglycaemia risk: CGM systems can detect impending hypoglycaemic episodes, allowing people living with diabetes to take proactive measures to avoid dangerous low blood sugar levels.
- Enhanced patient autonomy: CGM systems empower people living with diabetes to take ownership of their diabetes management, leading to improved quality of life and reduced healthcare costs.
Insulin pumps and Automated Insulin Delivery Systems (AIDs)
Insulin pumps have been a valuable tool for people with type 1 diabetes for many years. These devices deliver insulin continuously or in bolus doses, providing more precise management over blood sugar levels compared to traditional injections.
Recent advancements in technology have led to the development of automated insulin delivery systems (AIDs), also known as "artificial pancreases." These systems combine CGM technology with insulin pumps to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on real-time glucose readings. AIDs have the potential to significantly reduce the burden of diabetes management for people living with diabetes, especially those with frequent hypoglycaemia or difficulty maintaining glycaemic management.
Remote monitoring and telehealth
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth services, including remote monitoring of diabetes people living with diabetes. Telehealth platforms allow healthcare providers to monitor people living with diabetes' blood sugar levels, track their symptoms, and provide personalized guidance from a distance. This approach can be particularly beneficial for people living with diabetes living in remote areas or those with limited mobility.
Wearable technology and diabetes apps
Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, can also play a role in diabetes management. Many of these devices are compatible with CGM systems and can provide additional features like activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and stress management tools.
Diabetes-specific apps offer a variety of functionalities, including meal logging, medication tracking, blood sugar tracking, and educational resources. These apps can help people living with diabetes stay organized, motivated, and informed about their diabetes.
The future of diabetes care
As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions for diabetes management. Some emerging trends include:
- Closed-loop systems: These systems aim to fully automate insulin delivery eliminating need for manual adjustment.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered diabetes management: AI can be used to analyse vast amounts of data to provide personalized recommendations and predictions.
- Continuous glucose monitoring without finger pricks: Researchers are working on non-invasive methods of measuring blood sugar levels, such as optical sensors and sweat-based monitoring.
Conclusion
The digital age is transforming the landscape of diabetes care. By embracing new technologies, healthcare providers can offer more effective and personalized care to their people living with diabetes with diabetes. However, the healthcare sector is facing a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, and diabetes services are no exception. This shortage has a direct impact on the quality and accessibility of care for people living with diabetes. Nevertheless, as nurses, it is essential we stay informed about the latest advancements and to be able to educate people living with diabetes about the benefits of these technologies. By working together, we can improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes and pave the way for a brighter future.
