Researchers at Western England University is developing a new tool called " breathalyzer " . The tool enables someday diabetics control their blood sugar with a less painful way .
Diabetes is a disease whose prevalence is quite high in the world , including in Indonesia. In the United States alone , according to the center of disease control and prevention ( CDC ) , diabetes experienced by approximately 26 million people .
During this time , the management of diabetes is generally done by always control blood sugar levels by pricking the patient's finger needle , and analyzed with the tool . Within a day , the procedure is performed several times . Although it is not too painful , the procedure often remains difficult for patients .
"Check your blood sugar by needling , though included in the minimally invasive , but still invasive ( painful ) , " said Ronny Priefer , professor of medical chemistry at Western New England University .
Moreover , Priefer said , needling procedure needs to be done six to seven times a day . According to him , it could have an impact on patient compliance in doing so . Though the procedure is important in managing diabetes .
Therefore , Priefer and his team was doing research to find a method of checking blood sugar easier and painless . On the basis of the relationship between blood glucose and acetone levels in the breath of a person , so they have developed a tool " breathalyzer " that uses sheets consisting of two polymers , both in response to acetone .
Although similar technology is being developed , but Priefer version is claimed to be the cheapest and most effective . In particular , because the tool can compensate for the moisture of breath that can not be done any other tool .
Going forward , Priefer hope to soon conduct clinical trials of the tool in diabetes so that in the year 2014 or 2015 are able to use these tools extensively .
Priefer explained , to make the tool shows accurate results , then at the beginning of use, tools must be calibrated with a blood sample obtained from a finger prick . In addition , eating an apple or smoke 10 minutes before, they can affect readings .