Think keeping track of your glucose levels is cumbersome? Well, count your lucky stars you didn’t have to do it anytime up until the mid-20th century, when urine tests were the most advanced glucose monitoring technology of the era. To make matters worse, the urine tests were done under the supervision of a medical doctor. 

Modern technology has also come a long way since the 1980s, when at-home monitoring blood-prick devices were introduced to the marketplace. Although this innovation put blood glucose management in the hands of the patient, the process of pricking one’s skin several times a day was too much of a burden for many people with type 2 diabetes; monitoring-compliance levels remained a problem. 

In 1993, a study in Practical Diabetes International addressed the heavy burden multiple daily home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) placed on people with type 2 diabetes, and analyzed whether a once-daily glucose monitoring habit was sufficient enough to provide accurate information for clinical intervention. The researchers found that once-daily blood-glucose monitoring at a variable time of the day was adequate. 

Further advances in type 2 diabetes at-home care such as continuous monitoring and self-regulating insulin pumps have made fingerstick testing an anachronism. With the advent of G6 glucose monitoring, which involves a slim sensor that continuously measures glucose levels just beneath the skin and transmits real-time readings to your smartphone, there’s never been an easier time to manage type 2 diabetes.

5 Popular Apps For Diabetes

A decade ago, if you would have heard the word “app” used, hors d’oeuvres would have likely come to mind rather than diabetes management. But these days, “apps” have taken on new meaning, and have made it even easier to manage type 2 diabetes. 

Used in conjunction with continuous at-home blood-glucose-monitoring devices, the best diabetes apps provide real-time data, dietary recommendations, trend graphs and lots more. These days, many of the leading diabetes apps go far beyond monitoring blood glucose levels; they provide data on other key health markers such as heart rate and blood pressure. There are several diabetes apps to choose from. Here are five of the most widely used with solid ratings:

Glucose Buddy

According to Positive Attitude Towards (PAT) Diabetes, Glucose Buddy is one of the most time-tested, popular diabetes apps. It’s been a leading diabetes app for a decade, helping users track blood glucose level, insulin, medication, A1C results and carb intake. Compatible with both G5 and G6 glucose monitoring systems, Glucose Buddy also acts as a fitness app, counting steps and tracking food intake. Notifications gently remind you to check your blood sugar. The app charts your glucose patterns, which you can then show your doctor when it’s time for a checkup.

MySugr 

Another PAT Diabetes-recommended app, MySugr sends helpful reminders on your phone, such as remembering to monitor your blood sugar level after exercising. 

One Touch Reveal

OneTouch Verio Flex meter is billed as the only monitor with Blood Sugar Mentor, which provides messages that offer personalized guidance. One Touch Reveal is the app that’s used in conjunction with the Flex meter. If your blood glucose is out of a healthy range, not only will you get a push notification, the app will also notice any trends.

Fooducate

Not only is it important to track blood sugar, it’s vital that you learn which foods help you stay within a normal blood glucose range and which ones contribute to out-of-range levels. Fooducate does that and more. The app also reveals the added sugar content of many foods. 

Sugar Sense

Featuring one of the most user-friendly interfaces, this diabetes app makes it simple for tech-averse people. The app also contains a community support forum, making it easy for people to connect with and learn from others with type 2 diabetes. 

There are dozens of other diabetes apps. Many are free and offer premium features at a reasonable additional cost. If you’re not the most tech-savvy person, diabetes apps come with tutorials that make it easy to learn. Like anything else, it may take a little time to get used to using an app to manage diabetes. However, over time, the experience will definitely feel intuitive, and certainly a lot easier than doing multiple blood pricks every day.