One of the most exciting recent advancements in diabetes care is the creation of the Continuous Glucose Monitor, or the CGM. CGMs give blood sugar readings in real time, constantly testing blood sugars, kind of like the basal drip of a pump.
CGM systems are so great because the questions like, “What’s my blood sugar right now?” never has to be asked. By constantly having your blood sugar measured, anyone can see the fluctuations in numbers, and see the way certain actions or emotions affect your blood sugar reading.
By knowing what your blood sugar is, adjustments can be made. These adjustments keep numbers in control, and lower A1c numbers, which is good news because it limits the long-term effects from the disease.
Right now, there are two FDA-approved CGMs on the market, but there is hope for a third on the horizon. The only foreseeable problem with the device is calibration. In order to make sure that the machine is functioning properly, patients will need to poke their fingers once or twice a day to make sure that the numbers match. However, this seems like a small price to pay for constant control. Another issue is its partnering with the pump. In order for the blood sugar to be read, the CGM requires another insertion. For pump wearers, this means two insertions that have to be replaced every few days.
This is just a basic overview of information about this new technology, and much more can be found through sites such as www.jdrf.org, www.minimed.com, www.dexcom.com, or www.diabetes.org.