Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from the chronic illness diabetes. It occurs when the body is unable to produce or effectively use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels can lead to serious long-term complications, such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision loss.
Managing diabetes involves monitoring glucose levels, taking medication as prescribed, and making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity. While traditional methods of diabetes management, such as blood glucose testing and insulin injections, have been effective, advances in technology have led to innovative new treatments, such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).
In this article, the best diabetes doctor in Hyderabad practising at Magna Centre will detail about this innovative diabetes treatment.
What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring?
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a type of diabetes management that involves using a small device to continuously monitor glucose levels in the blood. The device, called a sensor, is inserted under the skin and is connected to a transmitter that sends glucose data to a receiver or smartphone app. The sensor measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the cells in the body. CGM provides real-time data on glucose levels, allowing people with diabetes to make informed decisions about their diabetes management.
How Does CGM Work?
CGM works by measuring glucose levels in the interstitial fluid using a sensor that is inserted under the skin. The sensor is connected to a transmitter that sends glucose data to a receiver or smartphone app. The receiver or app displays glucose data in real-time, allowing people with diabetes to see how their glucose levels are trending and make informed decisions about their diabetes management.
CGM sensors can be worn for several days before needing to be replaced. Some sensors require calibration using a blood glucose meter, while others are factory-calibrated and do not require calibration.
CGM devices can also provide alerts for high or low glucose levels, allowing people with diabetes to take action before their glucose levels become too high or too low.
Benefits of considering Continuous Glucose Monitoring for diabetes Patients
CGM offers several benefits for people with diabetes. Here are some of the most significant advantages:
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Improved Glucose Control: CGM provides real-time glucose data, allowing people with diabetes to make informed decisions about their diabetes management. By seeing how their glucose levels are trending, they can make adjustments to their medication, diet, and physical activity to maintain better glucose control.
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Reduced Risk of Hypoglycemia: CGM can help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood glucose levels become dangerously low. CGM devices can provide alerts for low glucose levels, allowing people with diabetes to take action before their glucose levels become too low.
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Improved Quality of Life: CGM can improve quality of life for people with diabetes by reducing the need for frequent blood glucose testing and reducing the risk of complications associated with poor glucose control.
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Better Diabetes Management: CGM can provide a more complete picture of a person's diabetes management, allowing healthcare providers to make more informed decisions about medication adjustments and other diabetes management strategies.
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Personalized Treatment: CGM can provide personalized treatment for people with diabetes, allowing for tailored medication adjustments, diet modifications, and physical activity recommendations based on real-time glucose data.
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Convenience: CGM devices are convenient and easy to use, requiring minimal blood sampling and allowing people with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels without interrupting their daily activities.
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Advances in Technology: Advances in CGM technology have led to improved accuracy, longer sensor wear times, and more convenient and discreet devices.
Ideal Diabetic Patient for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
CGM is most suitable for people with diabetes who are:
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Type 1 Diabetes: CGM is particularly beneficial for people with type 1 diabetes, as they are dependent on insulin therapy and need to closely monitor their glucose levels to prevent hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
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Uncontrolled Glucose Levels: CGM is useful for people who have difficulty controlling their glucose levels with traditional monitoring methods, such as self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing. CGM provides real-time data on glucose levels and can help identify trends and patterns that may be missed with traditional monitoring methods.
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Hypoglycemia Unawareness: CGM is especially helpful for people with hypoglycemia unawareness, a condition in which people with diabetes do not feel the symptoms of low blood glucose levels. CGM alerts people with diabetes to low glucose levels before symptoms occur, allowing them to take corrective action before a severe hypoglycemic event occurs.
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High-Risk Situations: CGM is also beneficial for people who are at high risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, such as those who engage in intense physical activity, have irregular eating habits, or take medications that affect glucose levels.
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Motivated and Willing to Use CGM: The ideal diabetic patient for CGM is someone who is motivated and willing to use the technology. CGM requires a commitment to wearing the sensor, monitoring glucose levels regularly, and responding to alerts and alarms as needed. People who are not willing or able to use CGM consistently may not see the full benefits of the technology.
Diabetes is a medical condition which requires continuous glucose monitoring. The blood sugar check on a daily basis is a headache for many but it is unavoidable. Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device will be an aid for such people. Along with the devices consultation with an experienced diabetes specialist is essential.
Someone looking for the best diabetes treatment in Hyderabad can visit Magna Centre and consult with concern with an experienced endocrinologist doctor. To schedule a consultation with the best endocrinologist doctor in India visit Magna Centre today!