How Does Continuous Glucose Monitoring Work?
Glucose meters tend to make testing easier, but it can still be painful to constantly prick fingers for testing, especially for high-frequency testers. Now, there is a way to avoid unnecessary fingersticks: continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). A CGM captures your blood sugar levels and shows whether it is increasing, decreasing, or remaining steady.
The ability to identify trends in your blood glucose levels is a critical piece of diabetes management and will help you make informed decisions to prevent lows, extreme highs, and erratic blood sugars. This additional information also helps you better understand how insulin, food, exercise, and other variables affect glucose values. View our top brands of CGMs!
How Does A CGM Work?
A Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) generally consists of a sensor, transmitter, and receiver. With most CGMs, users wear a flexible sensor just under the skin that they replace every couple of weeks. The sensor reads the wear’s interstitial fluid to detect glucose levels, and the attached transmitter sends the sensor’s readings to the receiver. This makes it easy for the wearer to see their blood sugar data for quick analysis on easy-to-read graphs. The user can easily download and share the data with their healthcare team so that they fine-tune their diabetes treatment. Most CGMs connect to compatible devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, so users can see data even more easily.
A new implantable CGM system called Eversense works a little differently than traditional CGMs. Eversense lasts 90 days and is inserted via a quick in-office procedure.
Studies show that CGMs can reduce A1C levels, provide better glycemic control, and supply physicians with more data to make better-informed treatment decisions.
Have you been approved for a CGM?
Apply TodayBenefits of a CGM
Know your readings with zero fingersticks and no calibration
Shows real-time glucose readings to constant monitoring
Helps lower A1C and reduce hypoglycemic incidents
Provides insights for better diabetes management
Tags: CGM, Continuous Glucose Monitors, Diabetes, Diabetes Management, Diabetes Supplies
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