How to transform your daily routines with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
People who are concerned about managing their health need to check their glucose constantly in order to stay healthy. Checking the glucose level regularly tells them whether it is too high or too low, both of which affect day-to-day energy and well-being. Knowing your glucose levels can also help you decide what and how much to eat, how much to exercise, and whether to make changes in daily routines to find balance. Most people check their glucose with a glucose meter. This involves a small machine and a drop of blood from the finger. A very thin needle (lancet) first pricks the fingertip to get a drop of blood. Then you put the drop on a test strip in the meter. The meter gives you a number that shows the glucose level at that moment. Even though glucose meters are small and portable, they also have some drawbacks.
Poking your finger several times a day hurts. It also takes time to use the meter, especially if you need to check often. The meter only gives you a reading at that moment, and you don't know what's happening next. The meter might tell you that your glucose is okay now, but in an hour's time it might go low or high. If you are busy or away from home, it is irritating having to stop and test all the time. You would have to carry the meter with you and find a place to test every time you want to get a reading. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are a newer technology that avoids these problems. A CGM is a small sensor that you wear on your body, usually on the back of the arm or abdomen.
This sensor is inserted just below the skin and measures glucose in the fluid beneath your skin continuously. The sensor is typically worn for several days (for instance, some may be used for 10 to 14 days). The sensor is connected to a reader or a smartphone application to display your glucose levels. Instead of pricking your finger each time, you just look at your phone or the reader to see your glucose level. One example is the SIBIONICS GS1 continuous glucose monitoring system. The GS1 has a tiny patch sensor that you stick to your skin. The sensor is calibrated in the factory, so you don't need to calibrate it using finger readings.
Once activated, the GS1 measures your glucose every few minutes, both day and night. It wirelessly transmits the results to an app on your smartphone via Bluetooth. You can see your current glucose level on your phone, where your levels have been, and where they're headed. The app saves a history of your glucose data and can show reports or graphs of your results. The GS1 sensor is waterproof, so you can wear it in the shower or when you swim. Because CGMs track glucose continuously, they give you more data than a single finger test. They show how your levels change over time and enable you to notice trends. For example, some CGMs will warn you if your glucose is likely to go low, 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time. This allows you to act, like taking a snack, before you begin to feel tired or weak.
Being able to see trend lines also enables you to spot patterns throughout your day. You might find that your glucose goes up after certain meals or that it always drops in the early morning. Knowing these patterns can avoid surprises and enable you to plan ahead of time to keep levels stable. Wearing a CGM can be much more practical in daily life. You insert the sensor into your body beneath clothing, and it does not get in the way of your mobility. You can exercise, play sports, or do household chores uninterrupted. When you want to read your glucose, you just look at your phone or a small reader device. This is quick and discreet, and you don't have to stop meetings, classes, or other activities to check your level.
CGMs are also ideal for people who are afraid of needles or children. For someone who does not like pricking their finger, a CGM can take away that fear. For a child, instead of poking a finger several times a day with a glucose meter, a parent can just apply the sensor and perform fewer tests. This can make testing less scary and make the child more willing to stick to a good regimen. It also helps parents because they can see the trends of the child's glucose and can prepare meals or snacks to keep the levels stable. In brief, both CGMs and standard glucose meters give you your glucose level, but they work differently.
A glucose meter requires finger-pricks and only gives a reading at one point in time. A CGM tracks glucose all the time with a sensor and can give you a constant reading of your levels. New CGMs like the SIBIONICS GS1 are making monitoring easier. They work without finger sticks, send information to your phone, and even warn you if your glucose level gets too high or too low. By giving you more information about your glucose, these tools can help you manage your health more effectively and stay in control of your daily balance. Always talk with your healthcare provider or physician about what type of monitoring is right for you.