People with diabetes detest the daily process of pricking their fingers to monitor their blood sugar levels. Despite this dreadful routine activity, it is necessary to manage and control this medical condition. Diabetes is a long-term illness characterised by high sugar levels in the blood. Patients either produce too little insulin to process the sugar or are unable to respond well to the insulin produced.

Fortunately there are now non-invasive methods to check your blood sugar levels.

Glucostat System, a Singapore company and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a prototype monitoring device using light to measure blood sugar readings.

Accordingly to the inventors, they accidentally discovered that light waveforms attached themselves differently to blood containing varying amounts of HbA1c, the sugar molecule that chemically attaches to the haemoglobin in the blood.

The more sugar in the blood, the more HbA1C will be present in the blood.

The device was made from a customised laser diode and all the patient needs to do is to place a finger over the probe for between 10 to 20 seconds. In May 2010, trials involving 30 people were carried, 19 of whom were non-diabetics. The remaining patients have chronic condition and whose blood sugar levels were badly controlled.

Blood was also taken at the same time to serve as a comparison and the results showed excellent correlation for both the high and low levels.

The inventors believe the test is presently one of the best ways to diagnose diabetes because it provides a more accurate reading of blood sugar levels. An average HbA1c level taken over time has also less variation than a one-off test.

The HbA1c test (also called glycolated haemoglobin) gives a result that shows how well the disease has been controlled over the previous six to 12 weeks. This will also show how effective the patient’s management plan is working. A non-diabetic’s HbA1c glucose reading is 5 per cent to 6 per cent and the goal in diabetes management is to reach 7 per cent or less. An HbA1c glucose reading of 8 per cent and above would mean the diabetes is badly controlled.

Some doctors said that while it is good to obtain the average HbA1c level without having to draw blood, a minute-by-minute or hour-by-hour blood-glucose monitoring may sometime be necessary. Patients need to be pricked three to four times a day, to ascertain whether the level is too high or too low under different conditions. This new prototype machine is still not able to give such live feeds. Also these readings may not be accurate due to fluctuations such as body temperature and blood pressure.

There are two other monitoring devices in the market namely skin testing and continuous glucose testing. There are disadvantages associated with both methods. Skin testing uses a special sensor pad which may irritate the skin and readings may be affected by sweat. Continuous glucose testing is expensive, costing up to $2000 and the sensory pad which is paced under the skin need to be moved periodically.

Despite these reservations these non-invasive screening technologies look promising and may radically change how diabetes could be managed in clinics and at home.

Tai chi may relieve knee pain

Tai chi, a martial art originated from China, is a mind and body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Practitioners move their bodies slowly and artistically, while breathing deeply which is why it is sometimes referred to as “moving meditation”.

People practice tai chi for various health-related reasons including:

• improve physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility
• benefits associated with low-impact, weight-bearing, aerobic exercise
• improve balance and decrease the risk of falls, especially in elderly people
• ease pain and stiffness—for example, from osteoarthritis
• improve sleep
• overall wellness.

A recent study suggests that practising tai chi regularly reduce osteoarthritis pain and also improve joint functions.

Researchers from the Tufts University School of Medicine carried out a study on 40 people with knee osteoarthritis, who had an average age of 65.

Twenty people were randomly placed in hour-long twice-weekly tai chi classes for three months. Besides tai chi movements, the classes included self-massage, breathing and relaxation techniques. They were also asked to practice tai chi for at least 20 minutes a day at home while maintaining their usual physical routine.

The other half was placed in the control group, attending twice-weekly hour-long sessions on osteoarthritis that included information on diet and nutrition, plus ways to treat the condition and how to handle stress. They also took part in full-body stretching exercises and were encouraged to stretch for 20 minutes a day at home and follow their regular physical regimen.

The Los Angeles Times reported that after the three months trial, those in the tai chi group saw a substantial drop in knee pain compared to the control group. The tai chi group also saw more improvements in function, depression and health status.

A second study by Australian researchers also found encouraging results. This study included 152 older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: tai chi classes, water exercise classes, or a waiting list. After 12 weeks, those in both the tai chi and water exercise groups reported moderate improvements in physical function, although only water exercise led to slightly decreased pain. The benefits were still evident three months after the classes ended.

Although tai chi is quite safe to practice, practitioners should observe the following:

• do not overdo, as it may result in sore muscles or sprains
• do not practice tai chi right after a meal, or when you are very tired, or if you have an infection
• do not practice if you are pregnant, or if you have a hernia, joint problems, back pain, fractures, or severe osteoporosis.

The bottom line

Many people practice tai chi to improve their health. It is such a gentle form of exercise that tai chi is suitable to those with arthritis. Studies suggest that it may help reduce joint pain, stiffness, and disability for people with OA.

Tai chi requires strict attention to body posture and breathing, so it’s best learned from a qualified instructor rather than a book or video