Why Continuous Glucose Monitoring is Important

Continuous glucose monitoring is one of the best innovations to help people with diabetes improve their quality of life. It has made tracking blood sugar levels easier to help patients know how much insulin they need and when they need it.

Many things affect blood glucose levels, including your physical activity and food. Different factors affect people differently, and using a CGM system is one of the best ways to track how these affect your body to optimize your diabetes treatment. Here are some reasons why continuous glucose monitoring is essential for patients.

It Detects Early Changes In Blood Sugar Levels

CGM devices are programmed to detect blood sugar changes before symptoms kick in. This is not the case with traditional blood glucose monitoring, where you only get to know your blood sugar levels when you test, which might be too late with the symptoms. Early detection also allows diabetic patients to adjust their treatment plan before they become hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic.

Reduced Cases of Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia

CGM devices help patients reduce the chances of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia with early detection. Based on the device data, patients can take corrective measures to prevent blood sugar levels from getting dangerously high or low.

Enhanced Quality Of Life

Diabetes patients who need to keep close track of their blood sugar levels do not need to keep using the finger stick to check their glucose levels—constant pricking of your finger though out the day can be uncomfortable and stressful for most patients. Now patients can keep track of their sugar levels with the reduced number of finger pricks though the day.

Accurate Insulin Dosage

CGM devices help diabetic patients adjust their insulin dosage accordingly based on their current sugar readings. This allows for a more accurate and effective treatment plan.

It Shows A Bigger Picture Of Your Condition

CGN devices are programmed to measure your blood sugar levels in very few minutes, unlike traditional methods. This gives a better overview of how your sugar levels change over time. This information is vital to making lifestyle changes to manage your condition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In An Insulin Pump The Same As A Continuous Glucose Monitor?

No. Insulin pumps and CGM devices are not the same. The two devices do two completely different functions. The insulin pump is designed to deliver a steady flow of insulin based on how it is programmed. A CGM device, on the other hand, is a device designed to automatically track blood sugar levels every few minutes during the day and night.

The devices are, however, similar in some aspects. Here is how:

They are both automatic: these devices work during the day and night as long as you wear them correctly.
They are worn directly on the body: Most people with diabetes wear the devices on either the arm or the belly.
They are both customizable: the insulin pumps and the CGM can be customized based on how diabetes affects your life. Very patient is in different settings based on their needs.
They both help manage diabetes: The insulin pump and the CGM device do not cure diabetes. They will, however, help you manage diabetes and also help direct your treatment decisions.

Are CGM Devices Easy To Use?

A CGM device is a little machine that can be complex for most people. It requires some upfront investment in time to understand how to use it. For instance, you must learn to insert the sensor properly and calibrate the device using the reading from your finger stick. It is important to note that this is only the case with some CGM devices and not all.

You must also learn to set the device’s alarm and transfer the data to your computer or hones. Lastly, you must know how you respond to changes based on the data collected.

Are you looking for ways to monitor and manage type 2 diabetes? Visit Columbia Medical Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS). We are experts in continuous glucose monitoring devices to help you manage Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with no finger sticks! We will help you devise the perfect plan to manage your condition to improve your quality of life.