We first recognized diabetes mellitus as a condition characterized by sweet-tasting urine in 1500 B.C. The word derives from a Greek meaning “to pass through or siphon.” During this time, civilizations relied on taste tests to determine glucose levels due to the lack of available tools for measurement.
The development of urine glucose tests started in the twentieth century. However, not long after this discovery, Dr. Banting found insulin which acted as an effective treatment for those with diabetes. In 1965, advancements took place in further testing, and blood glucose strips emerged – followed by glucometers in the 1970s/80s that enabled people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to monitor their health levels directly.
Fast-forward to the present day, advancements in technology have largely contributed to improved management of diabetes. These days, people with diabetes can access continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices that give them near real-time information on their glucose levels. CGM devices provide users with an invaluable resource to better understand their health. Using sensors attached to a transmitter patch gives individuals with diabetes access to more precise data and deeper insights into what can affect blood sugar levels and give them greater control over their condition.
Furthermore, CGM has revolutionized the way people with diabetes manage their condition due to its noteworthy benefits:
- Utilizing Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) empowers people with diabetes to achieve optimal control of their condition, allowing them to make well-informed decisions regarding when and how much insulin they should use.
- A CGM can be your saving grace, allowing you to identify and handle any potential danger of low blood sugar before it reaches its critical point. Plus, there are alarms on the device that alerts you when your glucose levels drop.
- Incorporating a CGM into your lifestyle can help you maintain close tabs on your blood sugar levels and ensure they remain within the coveted target range. In turn, this will reduce your hbA1C readings dramatically, minimizing any potential health problems.
- With the assistance of a CGM, you can gain insight into how various foods affect your blood sugar. Carbohydrates do not behave in identical ways for everybody; their response is exclusive to everyone. Acquiring information regarding what different meals may bring about will enable you to prepare better when consuming them again soon.
- With a CGM, you can slip into sweet dreams knowing that your blood sugar is under control. Instead of waking to search around for test strips in the dark, set high and low alarms and rest easy if they sound – without leaving your bed.
- To ensure a perfect match between the peak absorption of carbohydrates and the peak performance of insulin, your doctor may recommend pre-bolusing. Luckily, with the help of a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor), you can determine when you should fuel up and enjoy your meal.
It’s no surprise that CGM devices have transformed how people with diabetes take charge of their health. Not only do they enable users to monitor their glucose levels accurately, but they also make necessary adjustments for greater control over the condition. Undeniably, these devices have changed the way diabetes is managed – making it simpler and more effective than ever before.
source: https://skingrip.com/blogs/tech/how-cgm-devices-change-the-game-for-diabetics
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