Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is an advanced method for tracking glucose (blood sugar) levels throughout the day and night. Unlike traditional finger-prick tests that provide a single blood sugar reading at a specific moment, CGM continuously measures glucose levels in real-time, offering a more complete picture of how glucose levels fluctuate. This is especially important for people with diabetes, as maintaining stable blood sugar is crucial for preventing complications like kidney damage, heart disease, and nerve problems.

How Does CGM Work?
A CGM system typically consists of three main components:

• Sensor: A small, thin sensor is placed under the skin, usually on the abdomen or upper arm. It continuously measures glucose levels in the fluid between your cells (interstitial fluid).
• Transmitter: The sensor is connected to a transmitter, which sends glucose data to a display device.
• Receiver or Smartphone: The data can be viewed on a handheld device or smartphone, allowing you to see your glucose levels in real time.

The system takes readings every few minutes and provides trends, alerts for high or low glucose levels, and insights that can help you and your healthcare provider adjust your diabetes treatment plan.

Benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitoring
CGM offers numerous benefits for people managing diabetes:

• Real-Time Monitoring: With continuous tracking, you can see how food, exercise, stress, and medications affect your blood sugar levels, helping you make informed decisions.
• Alerts for Highs and Lows: CGM devices can alert you when your glucose levels are too high or too low, allowing you to take action before serious complications occur.
• Better Glucose Control: By understanding your glucose trends, you can improve your blood sugar control, which reduces the risk of long-term complications like diabetic kidney disease and nerve damage.
• Fewer Finger Pricks: While occasional finger-prick tests are still necessary to calibrate the device, CGM significantly reduces the need for frequent fingersticks.

Who Can Benefit from CGM?
CGM is especially beneficial for:

• People with Type 1 Diabetes: For those who rely on insulin therapy, CGM helps monitor blood sugar fluctuations and prevent dangerous highs and lows.
• People with Type 2 Diabetes: CGM can assist in understanding how diet, medications, and lifestyle changes impact glucose levels, allowing for better management of the condition.
• Anyone at Risk of Hypoglycemia: CGM is crucial for individuals who experience frequent low blood sugar episodes, as it provides immediate alerts, reducing the risk of severe hypoglycemia.

How Does CGM Help in Kidney Disease Management?
For people with diabetes, especially those at risk of Diabetic Kidney Disease, CGM can play a critical role. By maintaining tight control over blood sugar levels, the risk of kidney damage is significantly reduced. Sri Vaishnavi Hospital offers comprehensive diabetes care with CGM technology, helping you monitor and manage your blood sugar levels to protect your kidney health and overall well-being.