Over the past decade, diabetes technology has evolved into adopting glucose monitoring sensors as a way to innovate diabetes management practices.
Unlike the traditional blood glucose monitoring (BGM) systems where Filipinos living with diabetes need to prick their fingers to monitor their sugar levels, continuous glucose monitoring technologies (CGM) emerged as an option for painless monitoring while allowing the patient to also see the whole picture of one’s glucose levels at varying points in time.
CGM technology allows Filipinos living with diabetes to scan a sensor on the back of their upper arm with a handheld reader to check their glucose levels anytime and anywhere.
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CGMs, such as the Abbott FreeStyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, are now available in the market locally. Through this technology, people who are living with diabetes can check their glucose levels with a painless scan, anytime and anywhere.
Abbott shares five useful features of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Technology.
- No more routine finger pricks
The traditional method of measuring sugar levels involves pricking a patient’s fingers multiple times a day to provide a snapshot of their glucose levels. This can be tedious for some patients.
A 2020 commissioned study by Abbott in the Philippines suggested that 63% of its respondents want a device that eliminates finger pricking in their glucose monitoring device.
By utilizing sensor technology, CGM can eliminate the pain from finger sticks in a quick and painless scan to measure their glucose levels.
- It offers an accurate and real-time picture of glucose levels
CGM allows patients living with diabetes to quickly scan their sensors anytime anywhere. With frequent scanning, patients can see a detailed picture of their glucose profile in real-time allowing them to make more informed decisions.
CGM measures the interstitial glucose level — or the glucose found in the fluid between the cells — through a microfilament that is inserted just under the skin and held in place with a small adhesive pad.
- It ensures smart and data-driven diabetes management solutions
Having glucose data easily available can make diabetes management easy, personal, and responsive based on the patient’s real-time glucose levels. Patients with diabetes do not need to second-guess their food and lifestyle choices based on their glucose levels. Patients are recommended to consult their healthcare professional in managing their diabetes.
Doctors also benefit from this technology through cloud-based applications like the LibreView, in monitoring their patients’ glucose levels. This helps both doctors and patients to collaborate remotely in creating personalized and scientific diabetes solutions based on real-time data.
- The sensor is water-resistant and lasts for up to 14 days
CGM technologies have sensors that can be worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days. The sensor is also water resistant and can be submerged in water for up to 1 meter. This means patients living with diabetes can wear the sensor confidently without having to worry about sweating, taking a bath, or swimming.
- CGM is a two-in-one device
The Abbott FreeStyle Libre Reader also has a built-in blood test strip port making it a two-in-one diabetes monitoring device. Only the FreeStyle Libre Optium test strips can be used for this port.
Smartphones are expected to be the next frontier in diabetes management as health and tech companies work together to create accurate bio wearables for more personalized and data-driven healthcare.
Continuous glucose monitoring technologies are now available in leading drugstores and e-commerce platforms nationwide. Through CGM, all Filipinos living impacted by diabetes can be at ease that a new partner for a smarter and personalized diabetes management practice is now available.