One way to track blood sugar levels in real-time during the day and night is with continuous glucose monitors or CGMs. It measures the amount of glucose in the interstitial fluid, which closely resembles blood glucose levels, using a tiny sensor that is placed under the skin, usually in the upper arm or abdomen. Through the use of a transmitter, the sensor can wirelessly transmit glucose readings to an insulin pump, smartphone, or receiver.
An extensive picture of glucose trends and patterns is possible with the continuous glucose measurements that CGM devices provide, usually updated every few minutes. Diabetes patients and their medical professionals may make educated decisions regarding insulin dosage, food, exercise, and other aspects that impact glucose control thanks to this ongoing monitoring.
CGM devices frequently provide capabilities like trend analysis, customized warnings for hypo and hyperglycemia, and data sharing with healthcare practitioners in addition to real-time glucose measurements. Compared to more conventional finger-stick glucose monitoring techniques, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology offers more ease, accuracy, and insights, revolutionizing the management of diabetes.
Difference Between Blood Glucose Meters and CGMs
Diabetes patients can monitor their blood glucose levels using both blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors; however, there are several key differences between the two in terms of data delivery and monitoring frequency. The following are the main variations between the two:
Method of Monitoring
Blood Glucose Meters
A finger-stick test is necessary for blood glucose meters, which involve puncturing the fingertip with a lancet to draw a drop of blood. After applying the blood sample to a test strip, the meter reads the glucose.
Continuous Glucose Monitors
CGMs detects the amount of glucose in the interstitial fluid, which closely resembles blood glucose levels, using a sensor that is implanted under the skin. The sensor wirelessly transmits data to an insulin pump, smartphone, or receiver while continually monitoring blood sugar levels.
Monitoring Frequency
Blood Glucose Meters
As advised by a healthcare professional, blood glucose meters supply glucose readings on-demand, usually multiple times a day. When a user has to monitor their blood sugar levels, such as before meals, after exercising, or in response to symptoms, they do finger-stick tests.
Continuous Glucose Monitors
CGMs provide day-and-night glucose level monitoring in real-time. A thorough understanding of glucose trends and patterns is possible thanks to the automatic updating of glucose values every few minutes.
Data Display
Blood Glucose Meters
During testing, blood glucose meters deliver single-point glucose measurements. Users do not have access to information about trends or variations in their glucose level between tests, but they can view their present level.
Continuous Glucose Monitors
CGMs provide consumers with ongoing glucose data so they may track changes in their blood sugar levels throughout time. In addition to graphs or charts showing glucose patterns over hours or days, CGMs display generally offer real-time glucose readings and trend arrows indicating the direction and rate of glucose change.
Warnings and Announcements
Blood Glucose Meters
Normally, blood glucose meters don’t send out notifications or alerts. Users are required to manually measure and interpret their blood glucose levels.
Continuous Glucose Monitors
Alerts for hypo- and hyperglycemia are frequently adjustable in CGMs. To enable proactive management and intervention, users can establish glucose thresholds and receive notifications when their levels fall outside of the target range.
Experience of the User
Blood Glucose Meters
Manual finger-stick testing is necessary for blood glucose meters, which can be uncomfortable at times. For on-the-go testing, users need to have the meter, test strips, lancets, and a lancing instrument with them.
Continuous Glucose Monitors
Since finger-stick tests are not required, Continuous Glucose Monitors provide users with more freedom and convenience. For a few days, the sensor stays in place to constantly measure glucose levels, making the monitoring process more seamless and unobtrusive.
Overall, while Continuous Glucose Monitors and blood glucose meters both monitor blood sugar levels, Continuous Glucose Monitors have some benefits over blood glucose meters, including proactive diabetes care, trend analysis, and continuous monitoring.
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Who uses CGM?
People with diabetes use continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM, to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels all day and night. This covers people with gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and various types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
As part of their daily regimen for managing their diabetes, people with type 1 diabetes frequently utilize CGM. To help people with type 1 diabetes make educated decisions regarding insulin dosage, nutrition, and exercise, CGM offers insightful information on glucose trends and patterns.
Type 2 Diabetes
Even though it is less common than in type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes are using CGM more frequently, particularly those who need insulin therapy or find it difficult to achieve ideal glucose control with oral drugs alone. With CGM, people with type 2 diabetes and their medical professionals can better understand how different lifestyle choices, including food, exercise, and medication, impact blood glucose levels.
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can also use CGM to closely monitor their blood sugar levels. To lower the risk of difficulties for the mother and the unborn child, strict glucose control is necessary throughout pregnancy. CGM can offer helpful information to help accomplish this goal.
Pediatric Patients
Diabetes-afflicted children and teenagers benefit most from CGM. Constant monitoring gives parents and other caregivers piece of mind and enables proactive management by enabling them to remotely check their child’s blood sugar levels and receive alerts for hypo and hyperglycemia.
Athletes and Physically Active People
CGM can be helpful for diabetic athletes and physically active people since it gives information on how exercise affects blood sugar levels. With the use of CGM data, people can regulate their insulin dosage and carbohydrate consumption, avoid exercise-induced hypo- or hyperglycemia, and maximize their performance.
In general, a wide variety of diabetics utilize CGM to efficiently monitor and control their blood sugar levels, enhance glycemic control, and lower their risk of complications from the disease. Compared to conventional finger-stick glucose monitoring techniques, it offers more ease, accuracy, and insights, making it a crucial tool in the management of diabetes.
Conclusion
People with diabetes use Continuous Glucose Monitors, or CGMs, to continuously check their sugar levels. Continuous Glucose Monitors offer real-time data, which helps with proactive management, in contrast to traditional meters. It helps people with type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, caregivers, and medical professionals.
