Cell phones are incredibly useful tools. However, on their own, they are relatively limited in terms of health-related measures. Fortunately, in Europe many people can now benefit from information related to their rest and daily activity thanks to smart watches and activity bracelets.
There are other specialized devices that go even further and are responsible for measuring more complex variables. And it is possible to carry out tests as complex as an electrocardiogram or ultrasound, which, although they do not replace a test at the doctor, can provide a huge amount of information.
Likewise, there are also devices designed for people with diabetes that can measure things like blood sugar. This is the system bioportable Lingo, created by Abbott, and which also offers a training application. Keep in mind that public health experts warn that smart watches and rings are incapable of measuring blood sugar.
Real-time data
This device can be extremely useful. To work, it uses disc-shaped biosensors that adhere to the skin of the back and upper arm. These patches have sensors responsible for collecting real-time information on different biomarkers. It uses technology developed by the brand that it already uses more than 5 million people
These include glucose, ketone and lactate, which constitute ideal additional information for athletes or people wishing to monitor their metabolic status. And it is able to continuously measure the user wearing it using a patented algorithm based on decades of research into glucose measurement.
With each measurement, this information is sent to the smartphone or tablet with which it is linked via a Bluetooth connection, so that these metrics are accessible throughout the day and at any time. However, this data is not only measured by this accessory, but it also analyzes it so that based on the patterns of glucose variation it can offer advice.
Of course, it must be taken into account that the device is not recommended for those with sensitive skin, since a small filament of the patch remains under the skin to be able to access body data. It can be used for two weeks without interruption. After this time, you will need to change it to the other one provided in the box. It’s also water-resistant, so there’s no need to remove it in the shower.
Although it may be an ideal tool for diabetics, The company specifies that it does not have medical device certification, that is why they indicate that it does not replace other devices for the treatment of diabetes, although it can be a very useful complementary tool. Two patches are included in the box so you can change them every 14 days.
An application to know everything
To see the data it is necessary to download the brand’s application, in which the measurements are displayed using a line graph in which the colors are relevant. Blue indicates that levels have remained stable and When purple color appears, it means there have been spikes. In this way, complex data is translated into slightly simpler data so that everyone can understand it and make the decisions that interest them most at that moment.
According to the manufacturer, tracking glucose levels can help maintain energy throughout the day, distinguish between a want and need for real food, and even help you sleep better. Balancing the levels of this indicator allows you to rest properly and more efficiently. In any case, when you enter to see the information, the application’s own coach will show you a series of recommended actions, such as getting up and doing an activity when it detects that glucose levels are high.
Within the application, each user can also Enter data on the meals you had throughout the day or the activities they carried out. In this way, more information will be available contextualizing said activities or meals with the changes in levels. In this app you can also access graphs on your weekly activity and goals in relation to glucose levels, with graphs for each week, month or even overall to see the progress you have tracked since having the patch .
At the moment it is available for iOS and comes in two different packages. The most basic lasts two weeks and costs around 95 dollars, while the most expensive lasts around 2 months and its price is equivalent to around 320 dollars.