If you have diabetes, you know how important it is to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. But fingersticks can be painful, inconvenient and inaccurate.
That’s why many people with diabetes are turning to wearable glucose monitors, which can provide continuous and real-time feedback on your glucose levels without the need for blood samples.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what wearable glucose monitors are, how they work and what benefits they offer for people with diabetes.
What are wearable glucose monitors?
Wearable glucose monitors are devices that attach to your skin and measure your glucose levels using a small sensor that inserts under your skin. The sensor sends your glucose data to a transmitter, which then sends it to a receiver device such as a smartwatch, smartphone or dedicated device.
Some wearable glucose monitors can also alert you when your glucose levels are too high or too low, and some can even communicate with insulin pumps to adjust your insulin delivery automatically.
There are different types of wearable glucose monitors available on the market today, such as:
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems: These devices measure your glucose levels every few minutes throughout the day and night. They require calibration with fingerstick readings at least once or twice a day. Some examples of CGM systems are Dexcom G6, FreeStyle Libre and Medtronic Guardian Connect.
- Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) systems: These devices measure your glucose levels when you scan them with a reader device. They do not require calibration with fingerstick readings but they do not provide continuous data or alerts unless scanned regularly. An example of an FGM system is FreeStyle Libre.
- Non-invasive Glucose Monitoring (NGM) systems: These devices measure your glucose levels without piercing the skin using methods such as optical sensors or microwaves. They are still in development and not widely available yet.
How can wearable glucose monitors help you manage your diabetes?
Wearable glucose monitors can offer many benefits for people with diabetes, such as:
- Improving your glucose control and reducing the risk of complications. Studies have shown that using wearable glucose monitors can lower your A1C levels (a measure of average blood sugar over three months), reduce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) episodes and increase time in range (the optimal range of blood sugar levels).
- Saving you time and money. Wearable glucose monitors can reduce the number of fingersticks you need to do per day, which can save you money on test strips and lancets. They can also save you time by eliminating the need to stop what you’re doing and prick your finger every few hours.
- Enhancing your quality of life and well-being. Wearable glucose monitors can make managing diabetes easier and less stressful by giving you more freedom, flexibility and confidence. You can see how different foods, activities and medications affect your glucose levels in real time, which can help you make better decisions for your health. You can also share your data with your healthcare team or loved ones for support and guidance.
How to get started with wearable glucose monitors?
If you are interested in trying a wearable glucose monitor for yourself, talk to your doctor about whether it is suitable for you and how to get one prescribed or covered by insurance.
Wearable glucose monitors can be a game-changer for people with diabetes who want to take control of their health and live better lives.
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Sources:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/wearable-tech-for-diabetes-4846257
https://crgsoft.com/the-top-5-wearable-continuous-glucose-blood-sugar-monitor-devices-best-cgm-2022/
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2022/apr/wearable-technology-which-monitors-blood-sugar-levels-to-be-rolled-out-to-everyone-with-type-1-diabetes.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/best-glucose-monitors
https://www.freestylelibre.us/
https://www.dexcom.com/en-CA
https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/guardian-connect-cgm-system
