Introduction:
Diabetes mellitus is a condition when blood glucose levels are not adequately controlled.
The good news is, one can determine how much and when their body requires insulin by monitoring the blood sugar levels. Having often fluctuating blood sugar levels can harm health in a number of ways. If untreated, extremely high (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) can be dangerous and even fatal.
Blood sugar levels can be impacted by a variety of factors, including the meals consumed, the sports performed, and the lifestyle. But everyone is impacted by diabetes differently. It is common for an activity to have varying effects on various people's glucose levels.
The body might also change at any time. The body may occasionally respond in a way that even medical professionals do not always recognize. Even if an individual believes that they are managing diabetes correctly, all of these factors might make it even more difficult to control blood glucose levels. Since blood glucose levels are affected by day-to-day activities, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is essential to keep it controlled for a healthy quality of life.
What Is a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor?
For people with diabetes who take oral antidiabetic medications and may administer insulin injections whose blood sugar is not under control and who exhibit a lot of volatility, a continuous glucose monitoring sensor is a relatively new method that is highly practical and helpful in controlling blood sugar and to beware of the same. The name of the continuous glucose monitoring system is the FreeStyle Libre Pro Flash Glucose Monitoring System. Blood sugar levels are automatically monitored by continuous glucose monitoring both throughout the day and at night. To spot trends, one may also observe how the glucose levels fluctuate over a few hours or days. One can manage the diet, physical activity, and medications more effectively throughout the day if one can see the glucose levels in real-time.
How Does a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Work?
A small sensor that is commonly implanted under the skin on the abdomen or arm is how a CGM functions. The interstitial glucose level, or the glucose present in the fluid between the cells, is measured by the sensor. Every few minutes, the sensor measures the glucose. The data is wirelessly sent from a transmitter to a monitor. One could carry the monitor in the pocket or handbag as a standalone item or as a component of an insulin pump. Some CGMs deliver data immediately to a tablet or smartphone.
Whether taking a shower, working, exercising, or sleeping, CGMs are always tracking blood sugar levels.
Many CGMs have unique functions that use data from glucose readings:
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When the blood glucose levels are too low or too high, an alarm may go off.
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A CGM gadget also records the meals, exercise, and medications in addition to the blood glucose readings.
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To more readily see the glucose patterns, one may transfer data to a computer or smart device.
Some versions allow people to instantly communicate information to a parent, partner, or caregiver's smartphone. For instance, the CGM may be programmed to alert a parent in the next room if a child's blood sugar levels fall dangerously low overnight. The Dexcom is the only CGM software model that has been given approval for use in treatment selection. As a consequence, people may modify their diabetes treatment strategy based only on CGM readings. People may have to wait to administer insulin or administer hypoglycemic treatment until they have confirmed a CGM reading with a finger-stick blood glucose test.
Who Can Use a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor?
The majority of CGM users have type 1 diabetes. With a prescription from a doctor, CGMs can be used by both adults and children. Some of the models may be applied to toddlers. To assist in modifying the diabetes treatment plan, the doctor could advise using a CGM system always or only sometimes for a few days.
People who may need CGMs are an adult or their children:
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Receiving intensive insulin therapy, often known as intensive blood sugar control.
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Suffers hypoglycemia unawareness.
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Frequently have high or low blood sugar.
People might need to monitor the CGM twice a day. An ordinary glucose meter will be used to test a drop of blood. Depending on the model, people also need to change the CGM sensor every 3 to 7 days. To get their blood sugar into the controlled range, people should either adhere to the treatment plan or seek medical assistance.
How to Use a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor?
CGM has a tiny sensor that has to be connected to the body, preferably on the triceps, and will stay with the patient for a maximum of 14 days. People are free to participate in all daily activities, such as taking a bath, swimming, exercising, etc. Every 15 minutes, it stores glucose measurements and records them. There are 96 readings every day. The sensor's recorded data is read using a separate reader that is about the size of a tiny mobile phone. Then, it may be viewed on a computer that already has record analysis software installed. Six graphs are produced, indicating the 95th percentile blood sugar level as well as the greatest and lowest glucose levels experienced over the day or weeks. From the third day on, one can begin taking readings.
What Are the Advantages of Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensors?
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The ability to track the fluctuations in blood sugar over a 24-hour period, including its peaks and troughs as well as hypoglycemia levels will enable people to modify both their dietary intake and insulin dose.
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It aids in data storage for 14 days.
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It is cost-effective.
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Fewer fingersticks are required.
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Visuals on the CGM screen display whether and how rapidly the glucose is increasing or decreasing.
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Helps people with diabetes in maintaining their health and preventing disease complications.
Conclusion:
Diabetes, when untreated over an extended period of time, dangerously high or low blood sugar levels might occur leading to potential complications. By maintaining blood sugar levels within a safe range, people with diabetes can prevent these complications. In the most extreme circumstances, this may result in coma, death, or convulsions. Although, if one has any concerns regarding how to use a CGM device securely, seek help from the healthcare provider. If people experience any concerning symptoms such as frequent urination, thirst, foggy thinking, and nauseous, they are advised to contact or visit a healthcare provider. And, if one has any concerns regarding how to use a CGM device securely, seek help from the healthcare provider.
