Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are a tool for managing diabetes. They provide up-to-date information on how your body is responding to meals, exercise, medications, and other lifestyle influences. CGMs measure glucose levels in the fluid under your skin and give you real-time feedback that can help you make better decisions about how to take care of yourself. Here’s how you can use them properly to get the most out of this helpful technology.
What Is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)?
Monitoring your blood glucose levels has become a whole lot easier with CGM technology. With this cutting-edge device, you can keep tabs on your blood sugar levels for long periods with ease. For those unfamiliar, “blood sugar” is interchangeably referred to as “blood glucose.”
What Does CGM Measure?
For those with diabetes, CGM is an invaluable tool that monitors glucose levels 24/7. Insulin is a hormone essential for normalizing blood sugar. People with Type 1 diabetes have an insulin deficiency, while individuals with Type 2 may not be utilizing insulin as efficiently. Therefore, solutions such as CGM can greatly improve glycemic control and reduce the associated risks. To maintain stable blood sugar levels, individuals with diabetes must consistently self-administer insulin.
Why Do People With Diabetes Need to Track Blood Sugar Levels?
Monitoring your blood glucose levels can help you determine exactly how much insulin is needed for the body to function optimally. When these numbers are too high or low, the outcome can be dangerous and even life-threatening if not treated promptly. Unstable fluctuations in sugar levels may also cause extensive harm to your health over time. Therefore, it’s vital that we take the necessary steps to maintain healthy levels at all times!
Your eating, physical activities, and lifestyle can influence your blood sugar levels, but diabetes presents itself differently from person to person. This means that a certain food or activity may affect two people’s glucose levels differently.
The body can be an enigma, sometimes having reactions that medical experts don’t always understand. This can make diabetes management incredibly difficult, no matter how diligently you’re following advised protocols.
How Do Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Devices Work?
There are numerous CGM devices on the market today, with each one essentially working in the same or simular manner. Their differences are mainly based on design and features. Generally, here is how CGM technology work:
- The simple and hassle-free applicator enables you to insert the tiny sensor beneath your skin, commonly on your belly or arm. To keep it secure, sticky tape is used.
- With the help of a sensor, your glucose levels can be monitored within the fluid beneath your skin. To get precise readings every five minutes throughout the day and night, you are required to change the sensors based on their device specifications. Generally, this needs to be done approximately once every 7–14 days. However, some long-term implantable CGM devices only require a few maintenance sessions a year. With these, you’ll need to visit your healthcare provider to get the sensor switched out.
- All CGM devices rely on a transmitter to wirelessly deliver the glucose information from the sensor to an external device, offering users a visual representation of their data. Certain CGM devices feature reusable transmitters, which can be connected to new sensors, while other models come integrated with disposable sensors and built-in transmitters.
- Depending on the type of CGM device, the glucose data gathered is sent to either an app installed in your smartphone or a receiver. The receiver resembles a cell phone and can even be integrated into an insulin pump.
- Ready to take advantage of CGM data? With your CGM system, you can easily download real-time glucose levels, trends, and history anytime onto a computer. Some systems even allow for continuous transmission of data! You also have the option to share this information with your healthcare provider.
Are Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Easy To Use?
CGM devices are easy to use, and knowing the ins and outs is worth it. To begin with, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with how to:
- Securely insert the sensor.
- Set device alarms.
- Transfer data to a computer (for long-term analysis) or your phone.
- Respond to and make changes to your care plan based on the collected data.
What Are the Advantages of Using CGM To Manage Diabetes?
For those suffering from Type 1 or 2 diabetes, CGM devices can provide an easier way to manage your glucose levels. It’s possible to use these devices temporarily to understand one’s sugar levels and patterns, but most people benefit more when using them long-term. A CGM device offers many benefits. Here are the main ones:
- Shows You a Bigger Picture of How Diabetes Affects You: CGM technology allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of your blood glucose levels, as it takes readings every few minutes. By monitoring how food, activity, stress, and illness affect your sugar levels on an ongoing basis, you and your healthcare provider can gain valuable insight into how to manage them best.
- Leads To More Personalized Care: A CGM device offers only a partial glimpse into the various ways diabetes affects you. It cannot reveal why your glucose levels fluctuate but instead informs when it does. However, by downloading your device’s data and analyzing the patterns over time, healthcare providers can personalize their care plan based on what they discover from those insights.
- Alerts Highs and Lows: CGM devices are incredibly useful, sending out alerts when your glucose levels reach a certain threshold. This allows you to act swiftly and adjust accordingly. By acting on time, you have the potential to avoid or treat major issues before they become worse.
- Reduce How Many Fingerstick Checks You Need to Do: CGM has revolutionized the way diabetes can be monitored, drastically reducing or completely replacing your daily fingerstick tests.
Read More: What Are Orthotics And Why Are They Important for Older Adults?
Artik Medical Supply’s CGM Monitors
Our CGM monitors are essential devices for people requiring blood glucose monitoring for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The device uses a sensor that’s placed under the skin to provide continuous glucose level measurement 24 hours a day. They come with a transmitter that sends your glucose level to a wearable device or your mobile phone.
It’s a convenient method for monitoring your blood sugar that doesn’t require as many finger pricks as conventional monitoring does.
The CGM monitors we carry at Artik Medical Supply have the following benefits:
- Painless scanning
- User-friendly system
- Customized alarms
- Real-time management
- Glucose forecasting
How Much Do Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Cost?
CGM devices can be expensive without coverage, yet more and more health insurance companies offer coverage for them. Your particular policy may only cover certain types of CGMs. You also want to remember to factor in regular costs and coverages for items such as replacement sensors and transmitters.
Research your options by consulting your insurer, doctor, and/or medical supply company. They have resources available to help verify coverage and eligibility to get these essential devices at a better price for those who require their use. You can contact Artik Medical Supply to check eligibility for free and in minutes. 80% of our patients have no out of pocket expenses.
In Conclusion
Overall, CGM monitors provide a convenient way to track how your body responds to different foods and activities. They’re an invaluable tool for those looking to manage their diabetes or blood sugar levels better and can help you make more informed decisions about how you’re eating and living. When used correctly, they can be a powerful ally in helping you get a better handle on your health.
Most insurance providers cover CGM monitors, so if you’re tired of having to prick your finger all the time, Artik Medical Supply is here for you. Contact us today for a free insurance eligibility check, or call us directly at (888) 433-9796.
