Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a wearable device with a subcutaneous sensor that measures interstitial glucose at frequent intervals and transmits readings to a receiver or phone. It supports tighter diabetes management than intermittent fingerstick testing by revealing glucose trends.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a wearable device that tracks glucose levels around the clock using a small sensor inserted just under the skin. The sensor measures glucose in the interstitial fluid at frequent intervals and transmits the readings to a receiver, smartphone, or insulin-delivery device.
Unlike traditional fingerstick testing, which captures a single value at one moment, a CGM produces a continuous stream of data. This reveals the direction and rate of glucose changes, not just an isolated number.
Why does a CGM matter in diabetes care?
By showing trends and patterns throughout the day and night, a Continuous Glucose Monitor enables tighter and more responsive diabetes management than intermittent testing allows. Patients and clinicians can see how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and can catch highs and lows that a single check might miss.
For patients with diabetes who undergo procedures, awareness of their glucose trends supports safer peri-operative management. More broadly, the device exemplifies the shift toward continuous, patient-generated data informing day-to-day clinical decisions.
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