Diabetes Self Management At Home And Role Of Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

Introduction

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Managing diabetes requires a multi-faceted approach that includes healthy eating, regular exercise, medication management, and monitoring blood glucose levels. You can also adopt a practical diabetes self management approach at home to treat your condition efficiently.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is an innovative technology that plays a significant role in diabetes self management.

This is because it provides you with real-time blood glucose monitoring. This article will explore what CGM is, how it works, and its benefits for diabetes management.

What is a continuous glucose monitor?

A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a device that measures blood glucose levels continuously throughout the day and night. A CGM consists of a tiny sensor inserted under the skin and a transmitter sending glucose data to a receiver or smartphone app.

A CGM sensor is typically inserted under the skin of the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh and measures interstitial fluid glucose levels every few minutes. This allows for real-time glucose data accessed through a receiver or smartphone app.

CGM users can set glucose target ranges; the device provides alerts and alarms when glucose levels fall outside these ranges.

This allows for prompt action, such as consuming glucose to treat low blood sugar or adjusting medication to prevent high blood sugar. CGM technology also provides glucose trend data, essential for effective diabetes management.

It shows how glucose levels change over time, which can help individuals identify patterns in their glucose levels related to diet, exercise, or medication.

For example, CGM data may show that certain foods or activities cause significant glucose spikes or drops, making it easier to make lifestyle adjustments for better glucose control. CGM data can also help healthcare providers identify medication dosages or timing issues and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

You can find various types of CGM systems in the market. However, only a few market-leading brands provide you with the best user experience and highly accurate readings.

Abbott’s Freestyle Libre 3 and Dexcom G7 are two of the most amazing CGM systems in the market. Their innovative technology provides significant comfort to the users in monitoring their blood glucose levels.

How does a CGM work?

A CGM comprises three main components: a sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver or smartphone app. The CGM sensor is a small, disposable device inserted under the skin to measure interstitial fluid glucose levels.

The Sensor has a tiny wire coated with an enzyme that reacts with glucose molecules in the interstitial fluid. This reaction creates an electrical signal converted into a glucose measurement.

CGM transmitter is attached to the sensor and sends glucose data to the receiver or smartphone app via Bluetooth or another wireless technology. The transmitter can be worn on the body or placed nearby, such as on a bedside table.

CGM receiver or smartphone app displays real-time glucose data and alerts and alarms when glucose levels fall outside target ranges. Some CGM systems allow for data sharing with healthcare providers or family members, which can help with diabetes management and support.

It is important to note that CGM measurements differ from blood glucose measurements from a traditional glucose meter. CGM measurements reflect interstitial fluid glucose levels, which can lag behind blood glucose levels by a few minutes.

However, CGM technology provides continuous glucose data and trend information, which can help individuals with diabetes make informed decisions about their diabetes management.

Benefits of using a CGM

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system is a remarkable blood sugar measuring device that provides many benefits. Being an innovative device, its advantages have made it popular among users. The following are some exclusive benefits of this device that make them stand out from the market:

Real-Time Blood Glucose Data: A CGM provides real-time glucose data, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about food, exercise, and medication. It gives immediate feedback on how certain activities or foods affect glucose levels, making it easier to adjust behavior for better glucose control.

Identifying Trends and Patterns: A CGM helps individuals identify glucose trends and patterns over time, allowing for better long-term diabetes management. It provides graphs and charts to help identify ways in glucose levels and makes it easier to see the impact of certain lifestyle factors on glucose levels.

Alerts and Alarms: A CGM provides alerts and alarms when glucose levels are too high or too low, helping individuals take appropriate action to prevent dangerous complications.

Diabetes self management via CGM systems

We know that diabetes is a chronic disease affecting millions worldwide. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, self-management is crucial for individuals living with this condition to maintain their health and prevent complications.

The three main methods of diabetes self management are exercise plans, diet plans, and medications. Additionally, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems can be critical in helping individuals with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

Effective exercise plan

An effective exercise plan is an essential component of diabetes self management. Physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity, which allows the body to use insulin more effectively to regulate blood sugar levels.

Exercise can also help reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease and stroke.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults with diabetes engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly.

Moreover, resistance training at least twice per week is also considered to be excellent for diabetes management. You can have a visual demonstration of which exercise is more effective in managing your diabetes by using CGM systems. These monitoring devices will show which exercise is more effective in reducing blood sugar levels.

In this way, they help you devise the most appropriate exercise plan.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet is another crucial component of diabetes self management. Individuals with diabetes should focus on a balanced insulin resistance diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

They should also limit their intake of foods high in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Working with a registered dietitian can help develop a personalized meal plan that meets an individual’s nutritional needs and blood sugar goals.

One of the best methods to treat your condition via an efficient diet plan is adding dietary supplements to your daily meal. You can find numerous supplements by different manufacturers formulated to treat diabetes. Their components are intended to reduce the overall blood sugar levels of the human body and improve its physiological functions.

Medicated treatment

Medications are often necessary for individuals with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels. These may include insulin injections, oral medications, or a combination of both.

It is essential to take medications as a healthcare provider prescribes to avoid complications associated with high or low blood sugar levels. It is important to note that the type of medicine administered to the patients depends upon their condition and the type of diabetes.

However, the effect of the medicine can be easily measured by the blessing of the CGM device. The medicine is appropriate if your sugar level trends decline on the CGM readers. However, if the medicine is not significantly effective, CGM trends will not show an appropriate effect on your blood sugar.

Conclusion

Diabetes self management is essential for individuals with this chronic condition to maintain their health and prevent complications. Effective exercise plans, healthy diets, and medicated treatments are the three main methods of diabetes self management.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems can play a critical role in helping individuals with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. CGM devices provide valuable information on the effectiveness of exercise plans and medicated treatments, allowing individuals to adjust their self-management strategies accordingly.

By incorporating these self-management methods into their daily routine, individuals with diabetes can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.