Continuous glucose monitoring: Is it a good alternative to Glucometers? Continuous monitoring systems of glucose or CGM provide a practical alternative to the more typical of glucose monitoring devices that require patients with diabetes to prick their skin a couple of times each day. These devices utilize a circuit which is connected to a sensor inserted under the skin at all times to collect records glucose values. CGM files essentially fluctuating blood glucose levels on an ongoing basis to determine whether changes in diet, medication, treatment, or physical activity are needed.
CMM has three components: a sensor, a transmitter and a monitor-like wireless pager. The sensor is inserted under the skin, usually in the upper arm, near the thigh, and under the abdomen to measure glucose levels in the tissue fluids. People who use insulin injections, insulin pens, insulin pumps, and no problem finding these sites because they are basically the same. It should be noted that the sensors should be placed two inches from the navel and should not be placed on bruised, swollen and tender skin. Place the sensor is usually quick and relatively painless.
A transmitter is connected to the sensor sends information and every ten seconds or so over the airwaves to a monitor pager companies, which then displays the glucose values. The issuer of a CMM is rechargeable and must be recharged every day. This is water resistant and does not need to be removed during bathing, exercise and swimming.
CMM comes with an alarm system. This alerts the patient when blood glucose levels fall below or above the threshold.
CGM is replaced every three to seven days, depending on the brand and the manufacturer. Thereafter, all data stored in its onboard memory are downloaded to a computer. This information will be analyzed and the tables and graphs will be produced to represent the trends in blood glucose fluctuations.
Although the results recorded by the CMM are accurate, they must still be checked with a blood glucose or blood glucose from time to time for calibration.
Advantages of using CGM
Although the CMM does not guarantee very accurate readings and is quite expensive, many people choose to use this device because it allows continuous monitoring of glucose levels in the blood without having to prick the skin to collect blood samples. Once the monitor is set for the patient, continuous readings can be obtained.
Another advantage of using a system of continuous glucose monitoring is that fluctuations and trends in glucose levels are identified with more consistency. In addition, this system may record variations in blood glucose that are easy to be overlooked when using blood glucose meters and other tests. For example, the CGM can detect dangerous changes in blood glucose during the night, between meals, morning, during and after exercise, after each meal and during a time of 7:00. Information gathered around these hours can give health care providers important information that will help them decide if there is a need for a change in treatment, medication and lifestyle.
Disadvantages
The CGM system is not yet ready. Thus, inconsistencies with the files are very common. To resolve this problem, users often calibrate their CGMS with glucometers.
CGM is not a replacement for glucose meters. Even if it can display values of continuous glucose monitors, glucose monitors yet.
Posted on February 7, 2010.
