diabetes
About 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent type. Although type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed in adults, a growing number of children and young adults are being given the diagnosis. There is currently scant evidence to support the claim that a CGM can help keep the condition under control.
Continue reading to find out more about CGMs, the value of monitoring glucose levels, who shouldn’t use this device, and when to call a doctor.
How does a CGM work?
Typically, a person wears their CGM on their arm or Dexcom G6. It has a small sensor that is placed beneath the skin.
The sensor measures the interstitial glucose level, or the amount of glucose in the fluid between the person’s cells, every few minutes.
The wireless transmitter on the CGM also transmits the glucose data to a monitor. The monitor could be a stand-alone gadget, a part of an insulin pump, or something a person carries in their pocket or bag. Some devices can send data straight to an app.
Who cannot use a CGM?
A CGM can only be obtained by adults and kids who have a prescription from a doctor. According to Trusted Source, children under 2 may not be eligible for a CGM.
A physician may recommend a CGM for someone who:
-Is undergoing strict blood sugar control, also known as intensive insulin therapy.
-Hypoglycemia unawareness is the inability to detect a drop in blood glucose or recognize the need for treatment.
-Frequently has high or low blood sugar
-Some individuals might only require a brief period of CGM wear to help them get used to a new diabetes treatment regimen.
Tracking blood glucose levels
Monitoring blood sugar levels frequently is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes. It enables a person to determine what foods, medications, or activities cause their blood glucose levels to rise or fall.
With the help of their doctor, they can create a personalized diabetes care plan using this information. Controlling blood sugar levels can also aid in delaying or preventing diabetes-related complications, such as:
-Vision loss
-Amputation
-Heart Attack
-Stroke
-Kidney Disease
When to contact a doctor
Although a CGM can assist in monitoring blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, it cannot replace a doctor visit.
A person may experience serious health issues, such as heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, seizures, and even death if their blood sugar levels are too high or too low for an extended period.
If someone is uncertain about using their CGM safely or is concerned about their symptoms, they should speak with a healthcare provider.
Low blood sugar symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Dizziness
- Hunger
There are several typical signs of high blood sugar:
- More frequent urination
- Thrist
- Extreme Tiredness
- Blurred Vision
CGM improves A1C, but A1C is not a perfect measure
An average of blood glucose levels over several months is called hemoglobin A1C. Given the length of time, it is possible for someone to experience periods of extremely high and extremely low blood sugar levels while maintaining a “normal” A1C. This is due to the possibility that the average over several months may conceal daily variations in blood glucose.
The accuracy of A1C test results can be impacted by a wide range of medical conditions and medications, so it’s important to be aware of this.
According to research, A1C alone is a poor indicator of daily changes in blood sugar.
Different CGMs have different functionality
Expected A1C lab results are estimates in a CGM’s data reports. The device’s app allows you to upload the recommended days of data and create reports. This may differ between CGM devices.
Thus, knowing your options is helpful before making a CGM purchase. You can learn about the various CGMs by consulting the American Diabetes Association’s “Consumer Guide.” Select the ones that catch your attention, then compare them.
Remember: Depending on your health insurance and their preferred devices, your out-of-pocket expenses may change.
Conclusion
You can learn much about your daily patterns using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and tracking your glucose levels. Predicting how much insulin you’ll need may be simpler when you better understand how diabetes affects you and how you react to treatment. Additionally, it enables you to forecast how various circumstances will affect your blood sugar levels.
