The Future of Diabetes Care: AI, Genetics & Smart Medicine!
The Future of Diabetes Care: AI, Genetics & Smart Medicine!
Managing diabetes often demands round-the-clock attention – from administering insulin to keeping your blood sugar within target range (defined by Diabetes UK as 3.9-10.0 mmol/L). Fortunately, many of today’s diabetes technologies are designed to ease the burden of daily care and reduce stress. A key feature of these modern devices is the use of data. Most devices include digital software that tracks and stores glucose readings, allowing individuals and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to monitor patterns over time. This data-driven approach helps to identify which treatments and lifestyle habits are effective and which may need adjustment. Below are some of the technologies currently available to support diabetes management.
Smart insulin pens
Smart insulin pens provide a convenient way to keep track of your insulin doses. These reusable devices work like standard insulin pens for injections but have the added benefit of automatically recording key dosage information. They log the time, date, and number of insulin units delivered with each dose, helping you stay organized without manual tracking.
Many smart pens can also sync with compatible diabetes technologies, allowing you to combine insulin data with glucose readings on a single platform. For example, when used with a Dexcom system and connected via Glooko, your insulin and glucose data can be viewed simultaneously. This integrated view gives both you and your healthcare professional (HCP) better information about how your insulin use affects your blood sugar levels, making it easier to identify trends and adjust treatment as needed.
Insulin pump
Insulin pumps are wearable devices that deliver insulin at programmed intervals throughout the day, eliminating the need for manual injections with an insulin pen. They work by delivering insulin through a small tube inserted just under the skin, providing a steady and controlled supply.
Using an insulin pump can help improve glucose control, reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia, and provide more flexibility in daily life as you don’t have to remember each dose. Many modern pumps can also connect to real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) systems such as the Dexcom G6, creating what is known as a hybrid closed-loop system. In this setup, the pump automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on real-time glucose readings. While you still need to input carbohydrate information when eating, the system helps take care of much of the day-to-day glucose management.
This technology allows you to spend less time worrying about insulin dosage and more time living your life with more confidence in your diabetes management.
Digital health apps
Digital health apps are valuable tools to support your diabetes management goals. Available on your smartphone, these apps can provide helpful features like automated reminders, alerts, and milestone notifications to keep you motivated and on track.
Some apps, like Nudg, also include a community element, allowing you to connect with others going through similar experiences with diabetes, adding a layer of support and encouragement. Other apps, like Sugarmate, integrate with the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system to make your glucose data simple and visible.
By providing clear insight into your glucose trends, these apps help you and your healthcare team make more informed decisions and refine your diabetes management approach over time.
Dexcom G7 CGM System
The Dexcom G7 is the latest advancement in real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) from Dexcom. Like its predecessor, the Dexcom G6, it features a tiny sensor worn just beneath the skin that continuously tracks glucose levels and transmits data to a compatible smart device or receiver.*
The G7 introduces several key upgrades. The device has been redesigned to be smaller, slimmer, and more discreet, making it Dexcom’s most comfortable sensor ever.† It also features the fastest warm-up time of any rTCGM system, with glucose readings available in 30 minutes or less.‡ The Dexcom G7 app delivers a completely refreshed user experience, making it even easier to understand and act on your glucose data.
The Dexcom G7 is particularly helpful for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), especially those who are unaware of hypos and may not recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar. It is also suitable for children and people with gestational diabetes, and provides reliable support for more confident daily care.
What does the future hold for diabetes technology?
Advances in diabetes technology are not slowing down. Thanks to smartphones and mobile apps that can integrate with other systems, as well as cloud-based data storage, some incredible breakthroughs in diabetes technology may be coming very soon. Automation for both glucose monitoring and insulin delivery will make managing diabetes easier and potentially hands-free in the future. Implantable RTCGM systems may eliminate the need to wear and regularly replace sensor devices on the body. Today, there are already many exciting technologies being developed by the diabetes research community.
Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Systems
Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems — sometimes also called artificial pancreas systems — are the next big step in diabetes technology. These systems aim to eliminate the guesswork and manual effort involved in managing glucose levels.
AID systems integrate advanced real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) with insulin pump technology to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on your current glucose readings. Using a sophisticated algorithm, the system determines when insulin is needed and how much to deliver, reducing the need for manual carb counting and dosage calculations.
By mimicking some of the functions of a healthy pancreas, AID systems provide more responsive and proactive glucose management, helping people with diabetes stay in range more easily and freeing up time and mental energy for other aspects of life.
Miniaturized diabetes systems
One of the key goals for diabetes technology developers is to make devices smaller and more convenient. Shortly, we may see glucose sensors that are so small that they can be comfortably implanted under the skin for long periods. These long-lasting sensors could reduce the need for frequent replacement and provide more freedom to walk around, sweat, swim, or sleep without worrying about sensor performance.
Exciting innovations are also being developed that could eliminate the need for skin insertion. For example, some wearable devices in progress use tiny lasers to measure glucose levels through the skin, providing a completely non-invasive, painless, and hygienic alternative to traditional sensors.
Nanotechnology is also opening the door to revolutionary solutions, such as electronic skin patches that detect glucose in sweat. These patches could one day deliver medication — or even insulin — automatically, while continuously collecting data to support better diabetes management.
Better Patient Care with Big Data
As more and more people with diabetes use digital tools that record glucose levels and track other aspects of their health, a growing pool of data is becoming available. This “big data” – large, complex datasets that require artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze – has the potential to transform diabetes care.
With access to broad and deep data, researchers can better understand how treatments, techniques, and management strategies work in real-world settings. This can lead to more effective and personalized care. AI can also begin to automate parts of clinical decision-making, helping healthcare professionals deliver faster, data-informed care.
However, leveraging this data effectively will require careful consideration of privacy, ethics, and security. With the right safeguards in place, big data has the power to shape a better, more responsive future for diabetes treatment and research.
The future of real-time CGM technology
As the leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM), Dexcom is committed to developing user-focused innovations that make life with diabetes easier and more manageable. Enhancements like improved remote monitoring through the Dexcom Follow app and in-depth insights through Dexcom Clarity continue to empower users and their care teams with the tools to make better decisions.
But beyond advancing the technology, a major focus for the future is to make rTCGM systems more accessible to everyone who needs them. In the UK, the NHS already provides funding for Dexcom CGM systems, and organizations like JDRF are working to expand access even further, helping more people benefit from these life-changing devices.
Equally important is the ongoing research into diabetes and its wider impact on health, including mental health and increased risk of conditions like heart disease. Continuing scientific progress promises not only better management tools, but also potential breakthroughs in prevention — and perhaps one day, even a cure.
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