Technology is welcome for everything, but when it can also help us better control and manage our health, it is even more welcome. Now a new device developed by the company Novalab Iberia wants to collaborate in this to make life easier for people with diabetes.
The data offered by the European Diabetes Society are devastating. 13.8% of Spaniards over 18 years of age have type 2 diabetes. We are talking about no more and no less than 5.3 million people. Worst of all, nearly 3 million are diagnosed, but the other 2.3 million are unaware that they have the disease.
Living with diabetes is not easy. The most seriously ill have to control their diet in detail, take daily punctures and administer, if their degree and type of diabetes requires it, artificial insulin to control the amount of glucose in the blood.
The device that has just been released and is now available in Spain is called Dexcom G6 and wants to contribute to making the disease more bearable. It is, without a doubt, a good way to avoid some of the discomfort of the disease and to offer users the possibility of taking a more strict control of their diabetes. But let's see how.
Dexcom G6, what is it and what is it for?
The Dexcom G6 is what is called a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system , which is used to measure glucose levels in real time and continuously.
People with type 1 diabetes have to measure their glucose level two hours before and after each meal, before going to bed in the early morning. This would be about seven times a day . People with type 2 diabetes who take insulin also have to measure their glucose level before and two hours after each meal, but only two to three times a week.
This involves having a traditional meter and pricking your finger several times a day. The Dexcom G6 avoids all of this, because it delivers consistent results. It would be as if we measured our glucose with 288 daily capillary punctures . But it is also that with this system we have information on the trend and the speed at which glucose rises and falls.
The Dexcom G6 includes, on the other hand, and this is what makes it a very useful tool for diabetics, alerts, alarms and other functions to keep a good control of diabetes and avoid many of the risks involved in having this sickness.
It can be used by people who have type 1 diabetes, but also by those on insulin pump therapy. The sensor, which operates separately from the pump, is inserted under the skin. From there, you can measure the glucose level in the interstitial fluid (that of the tissue) . Of course, the sensor, which is disposable, has to be changed every 10 days.
Dexcom G6 - Diabetes Management Features
The first advantage that users who have diabetes and who want to keep a rigorous control of their disease will notice will be the possibility of eliminating the capillary punctures to calibrate their blood glucose level. But it is also that the customizable alarm and alert system serves so that users receive notifications if their glucose levels have dropped or risen dangerously . This monitoring can be done even when people are sleeping, a characteristic that is especially useful in patients with impaired consciousness due to hypoglycemia or in children.
Glucose readings are taken continuously and sent every five minutes via Bluetooth. This information can be transferred to a Dexcom receiver or to a compatible mobile phone, tablet or smartwatch . In this way, users can have all measurements directly on their pocket device and be aware of their glucose levels at all times.
With respect to the previous generation of this device, the Dexcom G5, this new model named Dexcom G6 has some advantages that are worth noting, because they make diabetes control much easier. We refer to a new sensor with a useful life of up to 10 days (43% more than the previous generation), a smaller transmitter, a self-applicator so that the sensor can be inserted in a simpler and painless way using a button and a New membrane that allows Paracetamol to be used without this component having any effect on glucose readings.
Dexcom G6, an application to share information
We have already told you that one of the great advantages of this Dexcom G6 is its ability to connect, through Bluetooth, to an application that we can carry comfortably on our mobile. It is a good way to always be aware - and without more devices involved - of what our blood glucose levels are at all times, as well as to know its evolution and progress.
The Dexcom G6 app, available for both iOS and Android, offers users the ability to share their glucose levels. What is this useful for? Well, in those cases in which the person with diabetes needs the care or supervision of another. Thus, it will be great for parents who have a child with diabetes or for people with a dependent adult in their care.
In addition, within the application events can be entered manually . This can be useful to record carbohydrate intake, physical exercise, or insulin doses administered.
Dexcom G6 CGM price and availability
The MCG Dexcom G6 from Novalab will reach the Spanish market, so that it can be purchased from the Novalab online store without problems. There is still no information on the price, but taking into account the price of the previous models, it is important to bear in mind that the equipment has a cost that can exceed 1,000 euros .
Be that as it may, for more information and to place orders, you can contact directly by phone 91 802 45 15 or send an email message to [email protected].