All You Ever Wanted To Know About CGMs – REVEALED!

Health + Tech is the buzzword for 2022! 

At Upside Health, we want to present the best of health tech to our community and help you in making the best choices both tech-wise and health-wise for your future. 

In this blog, we are going to deep dive into one of the most talked about wearables at the current time – CGM. 

Let’s get started… 

What Is CGM? 

First things first, CGM is an abbreviated form of Continous Glucose Monitoring. It is a modern piece of health tech that falls in the category of wearable biosensors. 

A CGM monitors and tracks the blood sugar or blood glucose levels 24/7 once it is attached to the user’s body. It gives real-time information about blood sugar levels through either a specific handheld device or through an app on the smartphone. 

This technology is particularly useful for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetics are most affected by sudden spikes or crashes in their blood glucose levels. Hence, CGM is a powerful essential piece of health tech for them. 

Why Is CGM Essential For Your Health? 

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas is the key element that regulates blood sugar or blood glucose in the body. If the body displays signs of insulin resistance then there is excess glucose flowing through the bloodstream. This causes serious health problems. 

The imbalance of blood sugar levels in the body (excess and abnormally low) is a metabolic impairment referred to as diabetes. The CGM is a wearable device that constantly tracks the blood sugar levels of the body. 

CGM is far better equipped to monitor blood glucose levels than traditional medical devices. The biosensor alerts the wearer if there are sudden spikes in blood sugar levels or crashes. It helps in analyzing what food or activity is causing monumental changes in blood sugar levels. It also ensures that there are fewer blood glucose-related emergencies, since the CGM will catch the issue early on. 

Another reason why CGM is the way to go is fewer finger pricks and lesser reliance on traditional blood glucose monitors and blood tests. You don’t even need to “fast” to check your blood sugar level when using a CGM. 

With CGM the wearer can focus on improving his/her health through scientific, personalized insights while making conscious beneficial choices in their habits, nutrition, and routine. 

How Does CGM Work? 

Most of our readers are aware of how blood tests such as HBA1C or routine blood sugar tests reveal the blood glucose levels of the body. They are also aware of how portable blood glucose monitors work. But CGM is a new technology that is yet to become a well-known entity amongst the masses. 

CGM is a tiny plastic chip that can be stuck to the body, generally, people prefer attaching it to the upper arm or the stomach. Once the chip is attached it begins transmitting data about blood glucose to either a specifically made handheld device or an app on your smartphone. According to current technological standards, a CGM patch once attached lasts 7-14 days. The user does not need to remove it for anything. It is waterproof and can be worn even during a shower. 

Some CGMs also have an additional feature. They can be linked to implantable insulin pumps. Thus, when the CGM analyses that the body has irregulated blood sugar, it can prescribe the insulin pump to release insulin into the system automatically. 

CGM is absolutely safe and easy to use. It is hassle-free and almost weightless. 

Is CGM Only Useful To Diabetics?

This is actually a very commonly asked question. Essentially, CGM was developed to help patients with Diabetes. The sole purpose was to monitor Blood Glucose levels and improve the health parameters of Diabetics. 

However, the use of CGMs is no longer limited to patients with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. We’ll go a little deeper into this in an upcoming section below. 

How CGM Can Help You Find Optimum Diet & Lower Blood Glucose

CGM has revealed far-reaching effects on people who have tried it and use it regularly. It has led to a deeper understanding of the human body, how it functions and how to optimize one’s dietary habits to lower blood glucose. 

All dietary research to date has been “generic” in its approach, but in reality, every human being is unique. The biosensor of CGM has taken this concept and expanded on it. CGM automatically factors in an individual’s dietary habits and physical activities through its consistent monitoring of blood sugar levels. 

Another set of intangible factors that was not previously given a large chunk of significance is how sleep and stress affect blood glucose levels. CGM can now methodically prove how stress and lack of sleep can negatively affect insulin resistance in the human body.

By giving the user and their primary physician insights and analytics on how every item of food is affecting blood glucose levels, and how physical activities, stress levels and quality of sleep are shaping metabolic health, it has prompted a revolution in lifestyle modification. 

CGM’s constant updates on the smartphone, encourage the user to make smart choices. Users are prompted to take more walks, be more active physically, and be alerted with spikes when they eat the wrong type of food or take too much stress.  A conscious user can also notice patterns of how a good REM cycle helps in lowering blood sugar levels. 

This completely personal database is a treasure trove to enhance health by taking concrete measures that are tailor-made for each user’s physique. 

Over time, CGM definitely helps in lowering blood glucose levels and getting on a sustainable diet that increases their quality of living. 

Who Are The Ideal Candidates For CGM? 

This question actually has a multi-fold answer – 

1. Anyone who is a patient of Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes should definitely use CGM 
2. Anyone who wishes to transform their lifestyle in a scientific manner 

CGM is perfect not only for Diabetics but also for everybody else, who wishes to harness the power of body analytics and improve their health. 

What To Expect When You Are Using CGM? 

CGM is a microchip that sticks to the body. Users do not feel any discomfort while attaching it or after it is attached. 

The Role of CGM in Preventive Healthcare

Post-pandemic, people have now taken a proactive approach to a healthy lifestyle. They want to build better habits, eat better, and live more in harmony with nature. 

The CGM is an ideal way to make this dream a reality. It is biosensor technology paired up with AI that gives the user a much deeper look into the functioning of his/her own body. 

It promotes a more active and fitness-conscious lifestyle. Research has revealed that CGM has led to behavioral modification in users. It is also seen as a tool that can assist sportspersons and athletes in increasing their sports performance levels. 

The logic of preventive healthcare and CGM is to use tech intelligence to boost longevity and quality of life! 

Food for Thought 

“You cannot change your future. But you can change your habits. And surely your habits will change your future.”

– Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

One of the wisest Indian visionaries, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s thought easily sums up how CGM can empower you to transform your life for the better!