continuous Glucose Monitors Offer Real-Time Insights for Diabetes Management
Changwon, South Korea – A new generation of continuous blood glucose monitors (CGMs) is empowering patients to proactively manage their diabetes and pre-diabetes with unprecedented detail, according to Dr. Seonghwan Seo, Professor of Endocrinology at Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University.
These devices measure glucose levels up to 288 times a day – approximately every five minutes – and transmit data directly to a smartphone or receiver. Recent advancements have resulted in thinner,lighter sensors that minimize discomfort and are less visible. Sensors can be worn for 6 to 15 days and are waterproof, allowing for continued use during showering and light exercise.
Unlike conventional blood glucose monitoring,cgms track teh entire glucose profile,revealing patterns in rises and falls related to diet,exercise,and sleep.This detailed information allows individuals to self-regulate behaviors and food choices that impact blood sugar.
“The biggest advantage of a continuous blood sugar meter is that it can determine the entire flow of blood sugar,” explains Dr.Seo.
The data provided by CGMs also benefits healthcare professionals,offering objective evidence for adjusting insulin dosages or medication regimens. This is especially valuable for individuals with type 1 diabetes who use multiple daily injections or insulin pumps, as well as those with type 2 diabetes who frequently inject insulin.
CGMs enable patients to identify “blood sugar spikes” in real-time, understanding how individual factors like insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and digestion speed influence glucose response to the same foods. This personalized insight facilitates informed lifestyle adjustments.
“If you know when and for what reason yoru blood sugar rises, you can prevent and manage diabetes more effectively,” Dr. Seo stated.
As the importance of effective diabetes management grows,continuous glucose monitors are gaining recognition as a tool for reducing patient burden and improving health outcomes.
