The "Gluco-Carry" is patent pending. It was invented by Scott Saunders, a 31 year old type 1 diabetic.
The main aim of the Gluco-Carry is to prevent diabetics from being caught without glucose when their blood sugar level drops below normal. If a diabetic leaves home without remembering to pick up his or her glucose tablets, or whatever is preferred for recovering from a hypo, the Gluco-Carry is designed to act as a back-up.
Scott Saunders lives in Bromley, Kent. He has had type 1 diabetes for 15 years and takes four insulin injections daily. After one hypo too many with no glucose tablets to hand, the idea of Gluco-Carry was born. If you would like to contact Scott to talk about diabetes or anything else you can send an email to scott@gluco-carry.com.
Type 1 diabetics and also type 2 diabetics who are on some medications need to be able to recognise the signs of hypoglycaemia and know how to respond to prevent a 'hypo' happening. To keep blood sugar within normal levels, type 1 diabetics must inject insulin and some type 2 diabetics must take tablets, which work by stimulating the pancreas gland to produce more insulin hormone, which lowers blood sugar (also referred to as blood glucose).
Hypos are caused when blood sugar is too low, and these are usually caused by missing meals, eating less starchy foods than usual, more exercise than normal, too much insulin and drinking alcohol with food. Typical symptoms of low blood sugar are hunger, trembling, sweating, palpitations, anxiety and irritability, blurred vision, paleness, mood changes, tingling of the lips and loss of concentration. They should be treated by taking 3 glucose tablets immediately and then eating a starchy food, or one of a lower glycaemic index such as a sandwich or a bowl of cereal and milk.
It is recommended that diabetics always carry glucose around with them for emergencies. This is the advantage of owning a Gluco-Carry because wherever you take your keys, the Gluco-Carry will be right there too. It is often easy for a diabetic to forget to carry glucose tablets and sometimes carrying a whole packet is too inconvenient because of its size and shape. If a few loose tablets are put into a pocket then these will very quickly crumble or become dirty. The Gluco-Carry is light, small, holds just enough tablets to bring a diabetic's blood sugar level back to normal, and it will protect the tablets from damage.
A diabetic can often make it through a typical day without needing to carry glucose tablets on them, except for when those unexpected emergencies occur. If that same diabetic tried to make it through the day without his or her keys, he or she probably wouldn't make it very far. Most adult diabetics drive or own a home, so starting a car or opening a front door is something that usually can't be avoided. For these reasons, a diabetic would be unlikely to forget his or her keys, so attaching glucose tablets to keys would seem like a good idea! Diabetes UK recommend taking 3 glucose tablets in the event of a hypo but the Gluco-Carry holds four (Dextro or Lucozade brands) in case more is needed.
Dextro and Lucozade glucose tablets are available to buy in packets, with around 14 tablets in each packet, from most pharmacies and some newsagents.
Neck Cord & Sticker
Included with the Gluco-Carry are a neck cord and transparent sticker bearing an internationally recognised medical symbol and the word "DIABETIC" (see Product Info page for more details).If you are unconcious or unable to speak for yourself, the sticker will let paramedics and other people know that you have diabetes. This can be stuck to the lid of the Gluco-Carry if desired.
The neck cord is great for carrying the Gluco-Carry when playing sport, walking or for children.
Gluco-Carry if desired.