Continuous Glucose Monitoring CGM
What is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)? Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is wearable expertise that tracks your glucose (sugar) levels over time. It measures the glucose level within the interstitial fluid slightly below your skin 24 hours a day while you’re sporting the gadget. People additionally name it a steady glucose monitor (a CGM). Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. A CGM device is primarily a tool for people with diabetes. Managing diabetes entails managing your blood sugar ranges. A CGM gives you real-time information on how your glucose ranges are changing. This is particularly necessary as a result of a number of factors affect blood sugar ranges - some of which you can’t predict. There are several kinds of CGM gadgets in the marketplace, and the expertise is quickly evolving. Some CGMs connect with insulin pumps to supply automated insulin supply systems. Talk to your healthcare supplier if you’re keen on learning more about CGMs.
What is interstitial fluid? Interstitial fluid is the fluid in the areas around your cells. It comes from substances that leak out of your blood capillaries. One of these substances is glucose (sugar). The sensor in a CGM goes just under your skin the place this fluid is - not in a blood vessel. It measures the glucose in your interstitial fluid. Glucose hits your bloodstream first and then leaks into your interstitial fluid. So, there’s a lag between your blood glucose level and interstitial glucose stage. This means there could also be a couple of minutes delay in your CGM sensor glucose readings in contrast with fingerstick (manual) blood glucose readings. How does a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) work? You can select among a handful of CGM devices obtainable at the moment. Each works just about the identical manner. The main differences are in a device’s features, feel and appear. You’ll insert the sensor under your pores and skin with an applicator.
It uses a needle to pierce your pores and skin. You remove the needle, and it leaves the sensor in place. Sensors sometimes last seven to 15 days, relying on the brand. The implantable CGM system lasts for months. It’s a small pellet (about 18 millimeters lengthy) that a healthcare supplier inserts under the skin of your higher arm. Transmitter: All CGM systems use a transmitter to wirelessly send the glucose data from the sensor to a gadget where you may view it. For some CGM methods, the transmitter is reusable and attaches to each new sensor. For other CGM programs, the transmitter is part of the disposable sensor. Smartphone app, receiver or insulin pump: This technology displays your actual-time glucose stage and exhibits a graph of the historical past of your ranges. It may show whether your glucose stage is trending up or down - and how drastically. Most CGMs provide smartphone apps for BloodVitals viewing knowledge. Some supply handheld devices in case you don’t use a smartphone.
Some CGM devices also can ship the glucose info to a compatible insulin pump. 1. You insert a small sensor slightly below your skin, often on your stomach or arm. An applicator makes this half fast and simple to do. Adhesive tape holds the sensor in place. 2. You’ll either join the CGM transmitter to the sensor or the sensor and transmitter will already be related while you insert it. It's essential to charge some transmitters before connecting them to the sensor. You might also need to place extra adhesive over the transmitter and sensor to maintain it in place on your skin. 3. Depending on the type of CGM, there’ll be a "warm-up" time before the sensor will share data. This typically ranges from half-hour to 2 hours. 4. Most CGMs start sharing glucose knowledge automatically after the warm-up. Some require a fingerstick blood glucose calibration before they begin sharing information. 5. You’ll then see your current glucose stage in your smartphone app, receiver or insulin pump for as lengthy because the sensor lasts.
You may set certain alarms and settings for your app, receiver or pump to warn you to when your glucose is out of range. These ranges differ from individual to person. 6. Once the sensor expires (or fails), you’ll start the method over once more. You can download CGM data (developments and historical past) to a computer at any time. Some CGM methods will ship knowledge constantly. You can too share the information together with your healthcare supplier. CGM gadgets are complicated little machines. They do require some upfront time to grasp their technical features. Insert the sensor correctly. Calibrate the device with fingerstick blood glucose readings (if needed). Transfer knowledge to a computer (for lengthy-time period evaluation) or your cellphone. Respond to and make changes to your care plan based on the collected data. It takes time and endurance to grasp how a CGM system works. But you don’t should do it alone. Once you’ve decided to get a CGM - and BloodVitals have a prescription for it - a certified professional will enable you learn how to use it safely.