When you have diabetes, you need to keep a closer eye on your health than those who aren’t diabetic. Certain health markers can inform you of how well you’re managing your condition.

Even if you’re working with a healthcare professional to manage your diabetes, it’s important to take control of your health. A smartwatch is one of the most effective ways to track your health markers and manage your diabetes at home.

Let’s take a closer look at the various things you can do, like track blood glucose with smartwatches.

Blood glucose levels

Monitoring your blood sugar levels is arguably the most important health marker to track as a diabetic. Many smartwatches come with built-in glucose monitoring capabilities that enable you to take regular blood sugar readings. Others can connect to external blood sugar monitoring devices.

Through your smartwatch, you can track your health in real time and see whether certain foods affect your blood sugar more than others. You can share your readings with your healthcare team so they can adjust your care plan accordingly. 

Heart rate

Pretty much every smartwatch device now tracks heart rate. Monitoring your heart rate can offer valuable insights into your cardiovascular health as a diabetic because this condition is closely related to long-term heart problems.

Your smartwatch can help you identify whether your heart rate is too low, too high, or irregular, all of which could indicate underlying health problems. If you spot any worrying changes in your heart activity, you can get in touch with your doctor so they can take a closer look at your cardiovascular health and identify potential issues.

Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a critical component of managing diabetes effectively. Poor sleep can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, making it more challenging to keep your diabetes in check. Moreover, a lack of sleep can exacerbate stress, which in turn can have a negative impact on insulin sensitivity.

Utilising a smartwatch to monitor your sleep can provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns, helping you make necessary adjustments for better diabetes management. By paying attention to the data your smartwatch provides, you can take proactive steps to improve both your sleep quality and your overall health.

Physical activity and hydration

Smartwatches can be great for tracking your physical activity levels. You can use your device to track your steps, distance travelled, cardiovascular activity, and calories burned each day. Regular exercise is essential for diabetics as it helps to keep your blood glucose in a healthy range. 

Hydration is another great thing to track with your smartwatch that ties in nicely with physical activity. You can note down when you’re finished a glass of water on your device to reach certain hydration goals.

Alerts and reminders

As a diabetic, you will need to check your blood sugar levels regularly and administer insulin shots if needed. If you’re a forgetful person, you can rely on your smartwatch to remind you when you need to perform any checks or take action to keep your blood sugar levels within the optimal range.

You can also set your smartwatch to send alerts about the latest health information relating to diabetes development and management, so you stay well-informed.

David Radar, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.