For those of you who thought smart phone apps are all about enhancing the gaming experience, think again. The iPhone now has an app that can help with your medication, and there is one in particular for diabetics that can help you keep track of your blood sugar levels, diet and insulin dosing.
An estimated 25.8 million people in the United States are diabetic, and it's a growing problem. Diabetes means that the liver can't produce enough natural insulin to be able to deal with glucose, and so blood sugar levels can rise to a life threatening level unless treated. Treatment very often means injecting a synthetic insulin before meals in order to maintain satisfactory sugar levels. Because it is such an individual thing, insulin dosage varies from person to person, and often from injection to injection.
Recently, there have been a growing number of apps developed for iPhone users to be able to monitor their insulin usage and blood sugar levels. Some of the apps are more comprehensive than others and also make it possible to record details of diet and exercise; all designed to make the life of the diabetic easier.
Some of the apps are free, and others, like Insulin on Board cost a few dollars. They are also designed to suit different sections of the population depending upon need. For example, an application called, NovoDose, is intended for medical professionals and offers specific information about particular products, and guidelines on dosing for patients with diabetes.
From the feedback received, it is apparent that these apps are a welcome addition. Consumers are delighted with how user friendly they are, and by having the ability to keep track of their glucose readings and medication on a weekly, monthly, or even daily basis. Naturally, this information can be taken to your doctor, and because it is in a structured format, the readings can be used by the doctor when assessing an individual's insulin needs. Many patients have, in fact, reported that they have been able to lower their dosage simply because they have an accurate record of where they are up to.
An insulin dosing application makes caring for someone with diabetes easier, too. Being responsible for someone else's health is huge, so using one of these can only help. Because they have been designed, in the main, by diabetics themselves, you can be confident that the app will generally meet yours, and most diabetics' needs, although there have been suggestions on how to improve these apps.
It has been recommended that they include a more comprehensive dosage system, including the ability to record half units of insulin for children, or being able to choose between the different types of insulin. These suggestions show that the apps have some way to go before being perfect, but they are a very welcome and promising start.
Frank Franchini is the developer of the mobile application "Insulin On Board" for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. This popular application allows those with Type One or Type 2 diabetes to monitor their insulin dosing, and amount of insulin remaining in their body from their multiple daily fast acting insulin injections. To learn more or download the application, go to www.DiabetesInsulinOnBoard.com
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