Living with diabetes is tough.
Not only do people living with diabetes have to monitor their diet and glucose levels, they may also have to take diabetes pills or insulin injections. Finding time to exercise is also on the to-do list because getting enough physical activity is an important part of diabetes management. That’s why it’s crucial to have a plan, and there are tools available that can help a person living with diabetes stick to it.
We are living in a world where new technologies are being developed daily. These technologies include smartphone apps that make it easier for people to manage their chronic conditions from the palm of their hand. According to an article published in the World Journal of Diabetes, greater use of mobile phone and internet-based technology has been associated with greater improvements in health outcomes.
The article also noted that these technologies can be beneficial to people who have limited access to medical care because of a lack of transportation or physical limitations. Here are five apps that can help someone living with diabetes stay on track.
Diabetes Tracker by MyNetDiary – This app is designed for people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes (type 1, type 2 or gestational). You can track blood glucose, insulin, carbs, exercise medication, symptoms and more. It also includes meal planning and tracking tools.
mySugr – mySugr aims to help users face the challenges of diabetes with confidence. The app includes a blood sugar tracker and carb logger. You can also log meals and medications.
Diabetes:M – The Diabetes:M app includes a logbook for glucose, insulin, injection sites, medications, nutrition and more. It also has a reminders tool to help you remember to check your blood sugar.
Sugar Sense – Much like the other apps, Sugar Sense allows you to track your blood sugar level, carbs, glucose and weight. This app is also for users who want an overview of their average readings for the past seven to 90 days.
One Drop – This mobile app allows you to track and analyze activity, blood sugar and food. You can also set daily goals, view your progress and connect with other people living with diabetes.
While technology is helping make chronic disease management easier, there are also tools available to help prevent diabetes. Knowing your risk gives you a head start on delaying or preventing the disease. Lifestyle plays a big role in the development of diabetes, so building healthy habits now can help reduce your future risk.
Take Get Healthy, Live Well’s free online diabetes health risk assessment to find out if you’re at risk for diabetes. Share your results with your primary care doctor and ask what more you can do to lower your risk and whether you should be screened for diabetes.