This is an electronic world where people need to be able access and enter information regarding their blood sugar levels from wherever they are and whenever they can. What a simple, easy and efective way for internet savvy people to make a difference in their lives, and possibly eliminate the use of expensive pharmaceutical drugs. Why is it that traditional western medicine only wants to prescribe a "pill" but not look into diet and lifestyle changes to help regulate body chemistries?
Thanks for the comments as well. We agree we are in a marvelous time with so much great technology to take advantage of. We can't help but utilize it to further management and awareness via different mediums and in manners different from "the norm".
There is just so much potential for innovative solutions via the Internet and we feel this is just one of infinite possibilities. We think this is only the beginning :-)
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
You make an exremely important point with regards to medications and lifestyle changes. If people are given the proper tools to take comtrol of their health, it can have a drastic impact on their health. It has become too easy for people to expect or count on there being a magic pill to manage any health problem they may have. However, by empwering them with the right tools and resources, they will realize they have more control over their situation then the could have ever imagined. For diabetes, PCOS and insulin resistance, it has been proven that as little as a 5% loss of weight can drastically improve insulin levels and restore normal hormone and body functions for some of the conditions I have jsut mentioned. Additionally, in a world that is becomig more and more technologically advanced, utilzing technology and online resources will impact how we view current health and healthcare practices. This is somrthing we are striving to do in our own endeavors with Project PCOS and look forward to being able to work with innovators such as sugarstats to raise the bar and get the tools people need, where they are needed.... in the hands of the patients themselves.
Christopher GrayThere are a few questions and thoughts that come to my mind regarding this concept. First, it would seem to me that allowing for the uploading of data from glucose meter tracking programs would greatly strengthen the efficacy of a site like this. Also, I'd like to see more discussion of how this site is better than a person using the programs that come with most meters today and track BG levels automatically. How is this easier?
Finally, I hope that great attention will be paid to making this site W3C-compliant for use by blind and visually impaired participants.
Thanks for the comments. We do allow glucose meter uploading ( I believe we mention that in the entry), though the main problem is how all the major manufacturers of glucometers all use either different or proprietary formats for storing glucose data. We are adding support for meters one by one and starting with the major brands. There are however initiatives going on to try and standardize the format and get the manufacturers to follow.
As for discussion of other software products, it is simply a matter of preference and choice. We are here to serve those who are more and more integrating the Internet and technology in to their daily lives. It being easy is a relative question, our target user base are those comfortable using a web browser and web based applications. While the software that comes with meters today is great, it wasn't for us.
As we stated in the entry we created SugarStats to allow a users info to be accessible from anywhere online instead of just the software on their desktop computer along with having the ability to instantly share it with their friends, family or health-care professional. Also we just didn't like the user interface or user experience and set out to design something simpler and easier to use for our target user base. But of course, what we're offering isn't going to resonate with everyone just like Apple Computers don't resonate with everyone. We feel choice is a great thing.
As far as W3C-Compliance, we are definitely striving to keep it as compliant as other XHTML/CSS valid Web 2.0 web-based application utilizing JavaScript, Ajax and next-generation web technologies.
Your project does looks very interesting and like it will bring great value to your target users, best of luck with it!
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
Joice Carter MS RD LD CDE
e-plate is very differnt from just tracking your foods; the plate actually will be able to show the nutrient content on the plate. This has not be done before. We also have the ability to do some of the blood sugar tracking. I have my own practice in diabetes education. I was recently the Director of an American Diabetes certified program. Look for to checking out your site,
Thanks for a great question Prashant. Although SugarStats is not subject to HIPAA statutes, in our concern for our users, and due to our commitment to the highest levels of privacy and security, SugarStats has met or exceeded the privacy and security standards set forth by HIPAA, as well as the American Medical Association.
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
I would be interested to see if there may be an opportunity for us to work together, as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a pre-cursor to type II diabetes. Approximately 85% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and as a result many of the symptoms mirror those of diabetics.
As a matter of fact, because there is still no consensus with regards to diagnosis and treatment for PCOS, most medications ( Which are commonly used for diabetics - metformin, fortament, actos) are off label.
One of the causes of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is Insulin Resistance, which can also increase the risk of developing Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Pre-Diabetes affects people with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the Type 2 Diabetes range. Doctors sometimes call this condition impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), depending on the blood test used to diagnose it.
The good news is that Pre-Diabetes doesn't have to lead to Type 2 Diabetes because it can reversed. But if neglected, Pre-Diabetes may become Type 2 Diabetes, which must be managed for the rest of your life and often requires daily injections of insulin.
PCOS is still often unrecognized and/or misdiagnosed which continues to add to the diabetes epidemic! Right now the costs from PCOS-associated diabetes = $1.77 Billion. With education, tools and resources, we may be able to greatly reduce the costs and instances of diabetes in women.
Great to see others using technology for pateint awareness and Services! Stop by our entry to learn more about who we are and what we are looking to do.
Please feel free to contact us, we would love to work with you!
Thanks for this info, I had not hear of projectpcos.org before but this looks really great. I had heard vaguely of PCOS before but didn't know many details. I would definitely love to explore possible opportunities between us to collaborate and innovate. Let us get in contact and we can talk further.
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
We are new so we are just getting our name out there nad as you had siad not man people now about PCOS, which is astounding becuase it affects up to 15% of women worldwide and here is somethign you will find interesting, in a report done by The Endocrine Society they found the following....
Costs from PCOS Associated diabetes = $1.77 Billion
So, just imagine what could be done with the proper tools and education to reduce the instances and costs of diabetes related healthcare!
Comments
This is an electronic world where people need to be able access and enter information regarding their blood sugar levels from wherever they are and whenever they can. What a simple, easy and efective way for internet savvy people to make a difference in their lives, and possibly eliminate the use of expensive pharmaceutical drugs. Why is it that traditional western medicine only wants to prescribe a "pill" but not look into diet and lifestyle changes to help regulate body chemistries?
guincefarmer,
Thanks for the comments as well. We agree we are in a marvelous time with so much great technology to take advantage of. We can't help but utilize it to further management and awareness via different mediums and in manners different from "the norm".
There is just so much potential for innovative solutions via the Internet and we feel this is just one of infinite possibilities. We think this is only the beginning :-)
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
You make an exremely important point with regards to medications and lifestyle changes. If people are given the proper tools to take comtrol of their health, it can have a drastic impact on their health. It has become too easy for people to expect or count on there being a magic pill to manage any health problem they may have. However, by empwering them with the right tools and resources, they will realize they have more control over their situation then the could have ever imagined. For diabetes, PCOS and insulin resistance, it has been proven that as little as a 5% loss of weight can drastically improve insulin levels and restore normal hormone and body functions for some of the conditions I have jsut mentioned. Additionally, in a world that is becomig more and more technologically advanced, utilzing technology and online resources will impact how we view current health and healthcare practices. This is somrthing we are striving to do in our own endeavors with Project PCOS and look forward to being able to work with innovators such as sugarstats to raise the bar and get the tools people need, where they are needed.... in the hands of the patients themselves.
Good luck!
Ashley Tabeling
Founder and COO
Project PCOS
http://www.projectpcos.org
Christopher GrayThere are a few questions and thoughts that come to my mind regarding this concept. First, it would seem to me that allowing for the uploading of data from glucose meter tracking programs would greatly strengthen the efficacy of a site like this. Also, I'd like to see more discussion of how this site is better than a person using the programs that come with most meters today and track BG levels automatically. How is this easier?
Finally, I hope that great attention will be paid to making this site W3C-compliant for use by blind and visually impaired participants.
Thank you.
Chris
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the comments. We do allow glucose meter uploading ( I believe we mention that in the entry), though the main problem is how all the major manufacturers of glucometers all use either different or proprietary formats for storing glucose data. We are adding support for meters one by one and starting with the major brands. There are however initiatives going on to try and standardize the format and get the manufacturers to follow.
As for discussion of other software products, it is simply a matter of preference and choice. We are here to serve those who are more and more integrating the Internet and technology in to their daily lives. It being easy is a relative question, our target user base are those comfortable using a web browser and web based applications. While the software that comes with meters today is great, it wasn't for us.
As we stated in the entry we created SugarStats to allow a users info to be accessible from anywhere online instead of just the software on their desktop computer along with having the ability to instantly share it with their friends, family or health-care professional. Also we just didn't like the user interface or user experience and set out to design something simpler and easier to use for our target user base. But of course, what we're offering isn't going to resonate with everyone just like Apple Computers don't resonate with everyone. We feel choice is a great thing.
As far as W3C-Compliance, we are definitely striving to keep it as compliant as other XHTML/CSS valid Web 2.0 web-based application utilizing JavaScript, Ajax and next-generation web technologies.
Your project does looks very interesting and like it will bring great value to your target users, best of luck with it!
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
Joice Carter MS RD LD CDE
e-plate is very differnt from just tracking your foods; the plate actually will be able to show the nutrient content on the plate. This has not be done before. We also have the ability to do some of the blood sugar tracking. I have my own practice in diabetes education. I was recently the Director of an American Diabetes certified program. Look for to checking out your site,
Does HIPAA apply here since you have identifiable medical data on your site?
Thanks for a great question Prashant. Although SugarStats is not subject to HIPAA statutes, in our concern for our users, and due to our commitment to the highest levels of privacy and security, SugarStats has met or exceeded the privacy and security standards set forth by HIPAA, as well as the American Medical Association.
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
I was one of the fortunate beta testers of the product and have found it to be an incredible tool to help me with my diabetes management.
Here is a post I wrote about it a while back:
http://tudiabetes.com/profiles/blog/show?id=583967%3ABlogPost%3A4989
----
Founder - http://TuDiabetes.com
I would be interested to see if there may be an opportunity for us to work together, as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a pre-cursor to type II diabetes. Approximately 85% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and as a result many of the symptoms mirror those of diabetics.
As a matter of fact, because there is still no consensus with regards to diagnosis and treatment for PCOS, most medications ( Which are commonly used for diabetics - metformin, fortament, actos) are off label.
One of the causes of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is Insulin Resistance, which can also increase the risk of developing Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Pre-Diabetes affects people with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the Type 2 Diabetes range. Doctors sometimes call this condition impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), depending on the blood test used to diagnose it.
The good news is that Pre-Diabetes doesn't have to lead to Type 2 Diabetes because it can reversed. But if neglected, Pre-Diabetes may become Type 2 Diabetes, which must be managed for the rest of your life and often requires daily injections of insulin.
PCOS is still often unrecognized and/or misdiagnosed which continues to add to the diabetes epidemic! Right now the costs from PCOS-associated diabetes = $1.77 Billion. With education, tools and resources, we may be able to greatly reduce the costs and instances of diabetes in women.
Great to see others using technology for pateint awareness and Services! Stop by our entry to learn more about who we are and what we are looking to do.
Please feel free to contact us, we would love to work with you!
Ashley Tabeling
Founder and COO
Project PCOS
http://www.projectpcos.org
Ashley,
Thanks for this info, I had not hear of projectpcos.org before but this looks really great. I had heard vaguely of PCOS before but didn't know many details. I would definitely love to explore possible opportunities between us to collaborate and innovate. Let us get in contact and we can talk further.
--
Marston A.
SugarStats.com - Founder
Simple Online Blood Sugar Tracking and Diabetes Management
We are new so we are just getting our name out there nad as you had siad not man people now about PCOS, which is astounding becuase it affects up to 15% of women worldwide and here is somethign you will find interesting, in a report done by The Endocrine Society they found the following....
Costs from PCOS Associated diabetes = $1.77 Billion
So, just imagine what could be done with the proper tools and education to reduce the instances and costs of diabetes related healthcare!
That is why tools like yours are imperative!
Ashley Tabeling
Founder and COO
Project PCOS
http://www.projectpcos.org
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