Breathalyzer device could improve diabetes management

For the nearly 40 million Americans living with diabetes, an important part of managing the disease is monitoring blood sugar throughout the day and night.

But staying on top of this information is challenging, especially for younger patients who may fear the finger pricks required. And other methods that aren’t as invasive, such as continuous glucose monitors, still ask users to insert a sensor under the skin and wear a small transmitter whose visibility may make some users uncomfortable.

A new device based on research from Indiana University could one day provide an alternative—or supplement current methods to provide better protection against more serious swings in blood sugar. It might also help individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes better monitor their blood sugar to reduce their risk of the disease.

Isaac by PreEvnt, a subsidiary of Scosche Industries, is a small lightweight device that can be worn on a lanyard around the neck to provide easy and accurate information about users’ blood sugar using only their breath.

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