From meals to metrics: continuous glucose monitors empower diabetics with real‑time blood sugar data

National Nutrition Month offers us an opportunity to reflect on our nutrition habits that contribute to our whole health. Balancing the occasional sweet treat or indulgent meal with well-rounded, healthy choices contributes to lifelong, sustainable health. But, for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, nutrition decisions made daily, or even hourly, determine their day-to-day well-being and long-term health.

“The food and beverage choices we make daily directly impact our blood sugar, or glucose – the primary source of energy for your body’s cells,” says Stacey Faryna, manager ancillary clinical services, CGM. “Added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and timing of meals can have the biggest influence on blood sugar levels. When someone has diabetes, their body cannot properly produce or use insulin, a hormone that converts food into energy.”

It’s important for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day to avoid hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar episodes. Fortunately, diabetics have a device that offers them constant, real-time data about their blood sugar levels – the continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

“A CGM is the most powerful and empowering tool that patients can use in managing their diabetes,” says Eric Orth, DO, endocrinology diabetes and metabolism. “Diabetics and providers get live data from the device that influences day-to-day actions and long-term health goals of a diabetic.”

A CGM uses a small sensor placed under the skin to track glucose levels around the clock, which eliminates the need for manual checks via alternatives that require finger pricks. Patients receive immediate alerts when rapid fluctuations in blood sugar are detected, and over time, patients and their healthcare team can watch their glucose level trends for changes and patterns – data that influences decisions and actions that lead to overall health. From resupply orders from the Home Care CGM team, blood sugar management and device tips from certified diabetes educators and healthcare guidance from providers, our CGM patients can trust they’re receiving the care they need through every step of their CGM journey.

“The device allows patients to learn about their diabetes, think about how their actions like diet and exercise influence their numbers, and adapt their actions,” says Orth. “CGM devices can serve as a tool to empower diabetics to take control of their health, like diet and exercise.”

Learn more about continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and the care excellence IU Health’s Home Care team provides for patients using a CGM.