A Smarter Way to Manage Diabetes
How Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)are changing lives
For years, people with diabetes have relied on a blood test called HbA1c to track their blood sugar. While helpful, this test only shows an average — it doesn’t reveal the daily ups and downs that can affect health and well-being.
Now, a new tool is making a big difference: continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). These small devices track blood sugar levels all day and night, giving patients and doctors a clearer picture of what’s really going on.
“For years, the medical and patient community relied on single-point glucose checks, whether via a blood test or finger stick capillary blood testing,” says Rodolfo Galindo, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Diabetes Center for the University of Miami Health System. “This approach provided a limited assessment of glucose regulation and changes in humans. Notably, we were not able to acknowledge that until the recent expansion of CGM use in research and clinical practice. With expanded CGM use, we soon realized we knew very little about glucose regulation, patterns, trends and tendencies in humans.”
What makes CGMs different?
Unlike finger sticks that give just one reading, CGMs record hundreds of measurements every day. They can show patterns, like blood sugar dropping overnight or spiking after meals, that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“The use of CGM has helped in early detection of both high and low glucose in patients with diabetes, especially with chronic kidney disorders,” says Ron Varghese, M.D., an endocrinologist with the University of Miami Health System. “Earlier detection of changes in glucose in real time helps patients to prevent low glucose by taking corrective measures at the appropriate time.”
CGMs also avoid some of the problems that can affect HbA1c results, such as anemia, pregnancy, or kidney issues. They offer real-time updates and help catch dangerous highs and lows that traditional tests might miss.
Real benefits for real people
In studies, people with diabetes who used CGMs saw big improvements:
- Better A1c levels
- More time in the healthy glucose range
- Fewer episodes of low blood sugar
Some of these benefits even lasted after they stopped using the device.
CGMs have also helped patients with kidney disease, sleep apnea, gastroparesis, and even rare conditions like insulinoma. They’ve made it easier to adjust insulin doses, spot hidden blood sugar drops, and predict who might improve after weight-loss surgery.
“Without a doubt, CGM devices have revolutionized diabetes care and served as a pivotal step into the development of an artificial pancreas,” says Dr. Galindo.
A clearer path forward
CGMs give patients and doctors a minute-by-minute view of blood sugar. That means fewer surprises and more confidence in managing diabetes. People can see how food, exercise, and sleep affect their glucose levels—and make smarter choices.
“The use of CGM and over-the-counter availability of CGM has the potential to detect and transform the care of conditions like prediabetes and sleep disorders and helps to tailor and modify diet in people who can notice changes in glucose in real time with the use of these devices,” says Dr. Varghese.
As technology continues to improve, CGMs are opening the door to more personalized care — and a better quality of life for people living with diabetes.
Assisted by AI. Edited by Audra Hodges, digital content director. Medically approved by Dr.s Galindo and Varghese.
References
[1] How Continuous Glucose Monitors Are Changing Diabetes Care
