Individuals with
diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels in order to safely
manage their insulin levels and food intake. At this time, the only
reliable means of testing blood sugar levels is with a blood sample, and getting one of those requires piercing the skin with a needle on
a regular basis. This article from Long Island Newsday’s HealthDay
section describes a novel alternative technology modeled after the
Breathalyzer. Instead of measuring alcohol levels, these
Breathalyzers are designed to measure the levels of acetone in a
person’s breath. Chemical levels of acetone rise in accordance with
blood sugar levels. In fact, acetone is responsible for the
characteristically sweet, fruity smell on the breath of people with
diabetes.
Interest in the
Breathalyzer technology is especially high because of its potential
to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes by
simplifying the process by which they measure their blood glucose.
However, some experts caution that the success of the Breathalyzer is
highly dependent on correlating acetone levels with blood glucose
levels. So far, researchers have been unable to confirm a linear
relationship between the production of acetone and blood-glucose
levels. In other words, while the Breathalyzer is an exciting
innovation, it’s is not ready for aggressive implementation.
Reference: Gordon, S. (2013, November 13). Needle-Free 'Breathalyzer' for Daily Diabetes Testing Shows Promise.Newsday. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www.newsday.com/news/health/needle-free-breathalyzer-for-daily-diabetes-testing-shows-promise-1.6430533
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