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| WHAT
IS THIS GIZMO CALLED THE "GLUCOWATCH"? |
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Last
March 22, 2001, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved for marketing a new glucose monitor manufactured by Cygnus,
Inc. called the "GlucoWatch Biographer". It is a wristwatch
like device designed to provide diabetic patients with information
regarding blood glucose levels.
How does it work? The GlucoWatch Biographer is worn like a wristwatch
on the lower arm. It is different from other glucose meters in that
it extracts fluid non-invasively (no needle pricks!) through the skin
by using tiny electric currents. |
The
device uses these fluids, instead of blood, to measure glucose levels,
and then automatically displays the readings every 20 minutes for
12-hour periods, even during sleep. In addition, if glucose readings
reach dangerously high or low levels, the device sounds an alarm,
alerting the patient to the need for immediate action.
Clinical studies found that measurements made by the GlucoWatch Biographer
were generally consistent with the results of traditional finger-prick
blood tests. However, up to 25 percent of the time, the GlucoWatch
Biographer's result differed by more than 30 percent. Thus, the GlucoWatch
is explicitly intended to accompany standard finger-prick glucose
tests rather than replace them.
Cygnus has already begun introducing the GlucoWatch Biographer in
the United Kingdom, but it is not yet available elsewhere. The current
price of the device is 350 pounds, or roughly $525.00 or P27, 300.
So at least for now, the best option for the Filipino diabetic is
still the traditional finger-prick blood glucose monitoring. There
are several meters available in the market. In fact, during the Diabetes
Awareness Week kick-off activities at the Harrison Plaza and Festival
Supermall, you can try some of these out. Or you can ask your doctor
which meter is best for you. |
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