Glucose: Part 2
There are lots of questions about glucose. How do I test for glucose? What should I eat to have lower glucose? What are gestational diabetes glucose levels? Best time to measure glucose levels? And many more questions are being asked. In this article, we’ll address the questions about ways to monitor your glucose levels. If you have other questions, leave us your question(s) and we’ll research them for you.
How do I test for glucose?
There are many methods to test for blood glucose. The gold standard for measuring it is doing a finger prick to draw out a drop of blood. You then place some of the blood on a test strip. The test strip is then connected to a glucose monitor device and the device displays you’re blood sugar reading.
The history of testing blood sugar is an interesting study of ingenious problem-solving. Records showed that the Egyptians recognize people when suffering from diabetes as early as 1500 BC. They notice that ants were attracted to the urine of people displaying diabetic symptoms. The sugar (glucose) was sensed by the ants.
It wasn’t until the middle ages that doctors began to diagnose diabetes. The method to measure if someone had diabetes was to taste the person’s urine. I have heard that other cultures have done similar things to diagnose illness, but tasting urine, for me at least, would be a show stopper.
We have a diagnosis
Karl Tommer is recognized as the first doctor to clinically examine patients for diabetes in the early 1840s. By using the process of acid hydrolysis to break up disaccharides into monosaccharides. Then adding further chemicals, it would react in a way indicating sugar was present in the urine.
In the early 1850s, Hermann von Fehling was able to expand on the work of Trommer. This early technology was a key step in further defining the level of sugar in the urine. Later in the 19th century, Frederick Pavy created tablets that would detect high levels of sugar in the urine, Further work by Stanley Benedict refined Fehling’s testing process. In 1913 Ivar developed a method of testing blood for glucose.
During World War II, urine test strips were produced that would measure the amount of sugar in the urine. The results would be displayed in a shade of color. By comparing the color to a chart one would have the amount of glucose in the urine. The availability of these test strips was a major breakthrough in the medical field, as they allowed doctors to quickly and easily test for diabetes.
Enter technology
This simple and effective testing method became widely used, helping to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this serious condition. With the modern advances in technology, test strips were introduced in 1964 that could check the blood for sugar. This was a major breakthrough as it allowed people to monitor their own blood sugar levels. The first glucometer was created in 1970. People could now test their blood for elevated glucose levels. Then, in the mid-1970s, another test for diabetes was developed and it tested for hemoglobin A1c.
Today, the glucose meter is a simple way for people easily monitor their glucose (blood sugar) levels. Yet, using a glucose meter still requires you to prick a finger or some other area of your body. However, technology isn’t standing still. The advancement of glucose testing has now progressed to a sensor that can measure blood sugar through the skin, without having to take a drop of blood. This is significant progress as it is less invasive and more comfortable for patients. In addition, this new method is more accurate and provides real-time results. This device is known as a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor).
Can Star Trek be far behind?
In recent years CGMs have become a go-to solution for monitoring glucose levels. As the name implies, the monitor continuously checks for glucose levels, in reality, it checks every five minutes. A CGM device is attached to the underside of your arm or abdomen. It has a very small needle that will connect with the interstitial fluid and allow the device to sense your glucose levels. The information gathered is then sent to a wireless device, Andriod or Apple phones.
Other devices are being developed the test glucose levels in sweat, salvia, and tears. Current technology is being developed to check glucose levels in a person’s breath. Can the days of a Star Trek tricorder be far behind?
The advantage of CGM is the ease of use. First, you minimize or remove the need for finger pricking. Once the device is attached and set up you are freer to joy life. Depending on the manufactures design of the CGM, you can wear the device for 7 to 90 days. A patch covers the area of the device and allows you to shower and be active.
CGMs will give you a more accurate description of your glucose levels. The data can show you how you react to eating. Understanding how you react to food can help you eat properly. You can set alarms to let you know if your glucose levels are too high or too low. This knowledge will let you react quickly to changing needs. Thereby keeping you safer.
One caution to keep in mind is the CGM device is not a quick fix. It will take some time to learn about it and how to live with it. You have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Just like anything to do with diabetes, there is an effort you will have to put forward. The decision to with you.
Where is the future?
Diabetes has most likely been with us since humans first started walking upright. As we saw earlier the Egyptians are credited with recognizing ailing patients with diabetes. As time moved on we learned more about diabetes to the point we could begin to give a name to the diagnosis. Science and technology are giving us new and better ways to deal with diabetes. Yet the one area we are not very willing to change is what we eat.
We continue to produce food products that push our body’s limits to handle sugar. We need to address our eating situation if we truly want to get a handle on diabetes and live a healthier lifestyle. Glucose: Part 2 is the second of two articles on Glucose. We will continue to explore glucose impact on the body and report our findings to you.
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