The Role Of Continuous Glucose Monitoring In Preventing Diabetes Complications

Living a healthy life is essential in the modern era. Over the last few years, we have faced numerous viruses and diseases that can lead to other health problems.

For example, the COVID-19 virus can have various complications, such as digestive and kidney diseases, heart attack risks, and many other health issues. Although we must stay healthy, we may need help keeping track of our physical state.

One of the things we can use to keep an eye on our health is a continuous glucose monitor. This device is essential for patients with blood glucose or life-threatening conditions. To grasp the concept of these high-quality devices, we need to know how they function and who can use them.

What is a CGM device?

You can use a CGM method to track your blood sugar level over a period of time depending on the model . Unlike traditional blood sugar tests, CGM devices provide instant blood glucose levels without finger prick. Standard tests with a fingerprick method may sometimes be troublesome since they only give one point reading

If you have experienced diabetes complications or prediabetic, you can consult your education specialist and use a CGM system to monitor your state.

CGM uses a device inserted under the skin to collect and test interstitial fluid, giving precise CGM results. The device consists of a tiny sensor inserted under the skin, keeping track of your glucose levels.

The blood glucose readings will be transfer via bluetooth from the device’s transmitter to be display on your phone’s apps. It can notify you when you have either high or low blood sugar. You can also share your real time readings with someone either your healthcare professionals or your loved ones by just downloading the same apps on your smartphone.

In most cases, people insert their sensor on the back of upper arms or their abdomen. You can choose whatever option fits your lifestyle best.

These small yet powerful devices can be a solution to disease control due to their innovative technology. They are genuinely game-changers in healthcare since they can help patients with diabetes improving their quality of life everyday and prevent complications.

Who should use CGM devices?

Specialists recommend continuous glucose monitoring devices like AiDex for everyone with an insulin treatment plan or other medications regulating blood sugar levels or even if you are a prediabetic or even simply just want to be more healthy and chosing the right type of diet. Below are a couple of examples of who should use a CGM device.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease where the immune system recognizes insulin as the enemy, attacking and destroying it.

As a result, patients experience high blood sugar levels, which can lead to numerous consequences, such as diabetes-related ketoacidosis and heart disease, stroke, etc., if left untreated. Due to this state, patients may need insulin shots to keep their blood sugar levels in the healthy range.

CGM devices can help patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus by providing diabetes management solutions. A patient can keep track of their insulin and use this device to help finding the correct insulin dose and preventing hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia events.

Thus, CGM devices may be one of the best prevention and treatment decisions since patients can manage their blood sugar and keep their bodies healthy.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The national institute of diabetes sees type 2 diabetes as one of the riskiest diseases. This condition can significantly impact a person’s quality of life due to its numerous complications.

It can have multiple effects on the body and mental health, such as high blood pressure, risk of heart attack, nerve damage, etc. Patients should try CGM devices to have an active role in glucose level management.

Diabetes care complications for patients with type 2 diabetes may require Equil Patch insulin pump to regulate blood glucose levels. Knowing when to use an insulin pump and how much insulin a patient may need can be crucial in diabetes care.

CGM devices can send alerts when blood glucose levels are high and advise you to take medications or shots according to one’s treatment plan.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes (also known as pregnancy diabetes) occurs during pregnancy. Patients with this diabetes type didn’t have diabetes symptoms before conception.

Due to the increase in hormone production, a pregnant person may be unable to produce enough insulin hormones, leading to high blood sugar. During the 40-week timeline, a pregnant person must consider diabetes care to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Thus, it is essential to monitor blood glucose to ensure there aren’t any risks. A CGM device is an excellent solution for managing glucose and having a healthy pregnancy. However, not all devices are suitable for gestational diabetes.

Before trying a glucose meter, consult an education specialist who will recommend the best diabetes care and devices for your case.

Children

Some children may be born with hyperglycemia, putting them at risk of heart disease and various other health issues. Since early childhood, children with such symptoms must consider what they eat and monitor their blood sugar multiple times daily. A younger patient can use CGM systems to solve some of these issues.

Once inserted near blood vessels, this device will continuously measure glucose levels and prevent complications. However, when looking for a machine, you should make informed decisions – consult specialists to determine which device will be best for a child for the highest-quality diabetes care.

What conditions can CGM prevent?

Since there are numerous risks diabetes can carry, we need a device to minimize these risks. CGM is a great tool for recognizing and preventing diabetes-related conditions. We will list some conditions below.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Diabetes can affect blood pressure and other heart-related conditions. For example, diabetes may cause a blood vessel to shrink, which increases the risk of heart disease. Moreover, diabetes can create blood clots, the main problem behind strokes and heart attacks. To prevent such conditions, diabetes patients should include CGM in their diabetes care.

By using CGM, you can track your glucose levels and manage your condition. You will see when you need an insulin pump and the best time for physical activity. You can also manage what you eat and see how it affects your glucose meter. With a CGM system, you can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by monitoring your blood sugar.

Digestive and Kidney Diseases

High blood sugar can affect the kidneys and the digestive system. For example, diabetes can cause gastroparesis, which leads to nerve damage to the digestive tract muscles.

This may lead to poorer food movement and cause other health concerns like bulimia. Moreover, diabetes can affect the kidneys by damaging the nerves that filter toxins, leading to kidney failure.

You can use a CGM to prevent these conditions and monitor your blood sugar. Diabetes can be responsible for numerous conditions, but monitoring and regulating sugar levels may save you from such risks. Kidneys and your digestive tract may be most vulnerable, so using CGM to prevent diabetes-related diseases is essential.

Retinopathy

Diabetes doesn’t only affect organs on the inside – it can also represent a problem for our eyes. Since diabetes can cause nerve damage, it can affect the retina of our eyes and lead to vision problems.

Numerous people with diabetes have reported vision problems – some even completely lost sight. In most cases, retinopathy occurs in elderly patients due to a more extended period of nerve damage.

To prevent retinopathy and save your vision, you can use CGM to control your blood sugar and prevent it from damaging your nerves. You can see when you need an insulin pump to regulate the glucose in your bloodstream. Diabetes won’t be able to attack your nerves and cause health issues if you control it.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition caused by diabetes that affects the nerves in the extremities. A person affected by this condition may feel tingling in the fingers, legs, or arms or feel complete numbness of particular body parts.

That is also due to nerve damage – a nerve may die out, numbing our body parts. Sometimes, solving this issue may require medical procedures.

Avoiding this condition can be effortless, thanks to CGM systems. They can track your blood sugar and alert you when you have dangerously high or low blood sugar. Using these alerts, you can prevent the abovementioned condition and live a healthy life, despite your current situation.

Conclusion

Diabetes can be a dangerous disease that affects your organs, leading to numerous health issues. Although this is the case, you can keep track of your sugar and take safety measures to prevent diabetes-caused conditions. We have presented a robust device, continuous glucose monitoring, to help you track your sugar levels throughout the day.

Moreover, we have mentioned who should use this device for medical purposes. We have also mentioned some of the conditions CGM can prevent. Despite diabetes, you can live a healthy life if you take security measures and regulate your blood sugar – CGM will help you with this step.