Continuous Glucose Monitors
CGM Systems
AZ Diabetics guide to CGMs
What is a CGM?
A CGM, Continuous Glucose Monitor, is a device used for monitoring blood glucose on a continual basis by people with either type I or type II diabetes. A continuous glucose monitor takes a reading on set intervals with a small electrode placed under the skin and held in place by an adhesive.
Eliminates Finger Sticks
While not all real-time CGMs offer this benefit, some allow you to make treatment decisions—how much insulin to dose, for instance—without the need for finger-stick confirmation. Plus, some are factory calibrated, eliminating the hassle and pain of calibrating with finger sticks.
Offers Alerts
The most significant benefit of all real-time CGM systems is having audible alarms that can warn you if your blood sugar (blood glucose) is getting too high. This allows time for adjustments that could lessen the impact of high or low blood sugar or avoid it altogether.
Transmits Data Continuously
With real-time CGM devices, data is constantly pushed to a receiver or smartphone without the need for additional action, such as a finger prick.
Shares Data
The ability to share data with family members and friends is another important feature. It acts as a safety net, especially when traveling. For example, if you don’t wake up to a low glucose alarm during the night, someone else will be alerted and can get in touch with you.
Benefits of using a CGM
Using a CGM device can make it easier to manage Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Facts
More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it.
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (and may be underreported).
