Diabetes management is a crucial aspect of living with diabetes, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a valuable tool that can significantly improve the management of the condition. Let’s explore both topics:
- Diabetes Management: Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels due to either inadequate insulin production (Type 1 diabetes) or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes). Effective diabetes management aims to keep blood glucose levels within a target range to prevent short-term and long-term complications.
Here are some key components of diabetes management:
a. Blood Glucose Monitoring: Regularly checking blood glucose levels using a glucometer is essential to understand how food, physical activity, medication, and stress impact blood sugar levels.
b. Healthy Eating: Adopting a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
c. Physical Activity: Regular exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood glucose levels.
d. Medication: For individuals with Type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy is required. Type 2 diabetes may be managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and/or insulin, depending on the severity.
e. Regular Health Check-ups: Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health parameters is important to manage overall health and reduce diabetes-related complications.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): CGM is a technology that allows individuals with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels continuously throughout the day and night. Unlike traditional blood glucose testing with a fingerstick and glucometer, CGM provides real-time data and trend information.
How CGM works:
- A small glucose sensor is inserted under the skin, usually on the abdomen or arm.
- The sensor measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) every few minutes.
- The sensor sends this data to a small wireless device or smartphone app.
- The user can see their current glucose level, trends, and receive alerts for low or high blood sugar levels.
Benefits of CGM:
a. Real-time Data: CGM provides immediate feedback on blood glucose levels, allowing for quicker responses to high or low readings.
b. Trend Information: CGM shows glucose trends, helping users identify patterns and make better management decisions.
c. Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Alerts: CGM can alert users when their glucose levels are too low (hypoglycemia) or too high (hyperglycemia).
d. Reduced Fingersticks: While CGM doesn’t eliminate the need for fingerstick checks entirely, it can significantly reduce the frequency.
e. Improved Diabetes Management: Studies have shown that CGM can lead to better diabetes management, reduced A1C levels, and decreased risk of complications.
It’s important to note that CGM is a valuable tool, but it should be used in conjunction with other aspects of diabetes management. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial to understand how to interpret CGM data and make appropriate adjustments to the treatment plan based on the information provided by the CGM system.
Hayat is a Medicare distributor for both Dexcom G6 and G7 and Freestyle Libre. Contact us at 708-422-2300 or visit www.hayatcgm.com to see if you qualify for a CGM today.