How technology can help you to manage diabetes on a daily basis

You no longer have to rely solely on willpower, diet and conventional treatments to effectively manage your diabetes. Technology has now radically transformed the way people who live with diabetes control their glucose and adjust their treatment.
This article tells you how to integrate the latest technologies to improve self-management, reduce risks, and make smarter decisions with support of real-time data.

1. What does technology offer you for diabetes control?

Diabetes requires constant decisions: when to eat, how much exercise to do, how much insulin to administer and how to react to changes in glucose. Until recently, decisions like these were based on one-off self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and the intuition of the person with diabetes. However, technological advances have made it possible to:

• Continuously monitor glucose, even while you sleep.
• Predict and prevent hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
• Automate part of the treatment (like insulin administration).
• Easily share data with your healthcare team.

People with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have shown significant reductions in haemoglobinA1c and spent more time in the right glycaemic range¹.

2. Main technologies available for diabetes management

a. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)

CGMs are small sensors placed under the skin that measure interstitial glucose levels every few minutes. Instead of depending on 2 to 3 measurements a day with a fingerstick monitor, you can see a graph in real time that shows you how your glucose changes from one minute to the next.
A CGM helps you to detect patterns that are invisible with traditional methods and allows you to make more precise decisions about insulin, diet and physical activity².

Their benefits include:

• Alerts for dangerous drops or rises.
• You can see what happens to your glucose while you sleep.
• Connections to mobile apps for monitoring and analysis.
• Integration with insulin pumps.

b. Automated insulin pumps

Insulin pumps have evolved from the simple devices with continuous administration to become integrated systems with algorithms that "think" for you. Pumps like these can be connected to glucose sensors to automatically adjust the insulin dosage, using current trends to anticipate future needs.
Pumps with integrated sensors have improved glucose control and reduced episodes of hypoglycaemia in people living with type 1 diabetes³.

This type of technology is especially useful for people who experience:

• Frequent glucose fluctuations.
• Nocturnal or unexpected hypoglycaemia.
• Need more flexible timetables or routines.

c. Data management applications and platforms

The digital ecosystem also includes mobile apps and web platforms that enable you to:

• Log meals, insulin doses, exercise and symptoms.
• View trends over weeks or months.
• Remotely share data with your medical team.
• Receive personalised advice based on your records.

Although there are a wide range of applications available, discuss with your healthcare team to determine the most appropriate technology for your treatment plan.

3. Benefits of using technology for diabetes

Scientific evidence firmly supports the use of technological tools likes these⁵.
The biggest benefits include:

• Sustained reduction in A1c (without increased hypoglycaemias).
• More time in range (TIR). Most guidelines now recommend keeping glucose within the 3.9-10 mmol/L range for at least 70% of the time (Battelino et al. 2019)6.
• Reduced stress emotional load caused by daily management.
• Better adherence to treatment and personal empowerment.

These technologies also facilitate faster and more precise clinical decision making by medical personnel, thanks to detailed, objective data.

4. Is this technology useful for everyone?

Although tools like these were traditionally designed for people with type 1 diabetes, many patients with type 2 diabetes, especially people who use insulin or experience major changes in glucose, can also benefit from them⁵.
Continuous monitoring can help you to:

• Adjust oral or injectable treatments.
• Identify how different foods can affect glucose.
• Prevent hypoglycaemia in the elderly and active people.

5. Things to bear in mind before using these tools

• Accessibility and cost While some technologies can be expensive, health insurance plans and public programmes in many countries now partially or fully cover the cost of this type of device. Contact your local health service to find out options are available.
• Learning curve Using new technologies may require a brief period of adaptation. However, there are educational materials, tutorials and specialist advice to make for an easier transition.
• Data security and privacy It's very important to select apps and devices that meet international privacy regulations (such as the HIPAA in the USA or the GDPR in Europe). Ensure that the devices and platforms used are certified as medical devices and meet applicable privacy regulations (e.g. GDPR, HIPAA).

6. A new age in diabetes management

Technology cannot replace clinical judgement or medical consultation, but it is a powerful tool to help you live with greater freedom, safety and access to better information. Everyone living with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who integrates technological solutions can transform their daily routine and have better manage their health.

Talk to your endocrinologist, diabetes educator or GP to find out which options are right for you. The first step towards better control starts when you decide to get informed and move forward.