Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires ongoing attention and care. While this can be burdensome at times, effective diabetes management is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Without it, you increase the risk of several complications that can decrease your quality of life and lifespan. Luckily, managing diabetes has become more advanced and convenient with the advent of continuous glucose monitoring technology and glucose monitor watches. These devices offer a comprehensive understanding of how blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day. To help you better understand this technology, we'll go over everything you need to know about CGM watches, wearables, and more.
How Does Continuous Glucose Monitoring Work?
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a type of technology that provides real-time and continuous information about an individual's blood glucose levels. This can be particularly beneficial for certain individuals living with diabetes, as it provides more of a comprehensive understanding of how your glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day.
CGM devices have three main components: a small sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver or a smartphone app. The sensor is usually inserted below the skin's surface to measure blood sugar within the interstitial fluid. This offers ongoing insight and allows you to view your glucose readings throughout the day, as opposed to singularly during traditional fingerstick measurements. The sensor records glucose readings at regular intervals, typically every few minutes.
The transmitter is attached to the sensor and wirelessly communicates with a receiver or a smartphone app. It sends the glucose data in real-time, which allows you to monitor your blood sugar levels without the need for constant manual testing. Some CGM systems even offer customizable notifications and alarms to alert users when their glucose levels are too high or low, providing an early warning system for potential issues.
This is a noninvasive glucose monitoring system that allows you to view trends, patterns, and historical data through the receiver or smartphone app. With this information, you can make better lifestyle choices and decisions about diabetes management, which may help reduce the need for insulin or diabetes medications. Additionally, healthcare providers can use CGM data during clinic visits to adjust treatment plans and make more personalized recommendations, which can improve diabetes management and overall well-being. As technology continues to evolve, CGM systems will likely become even more sophisticated.
Important Information About a Wearable CGM Device
CGMs will come with a receiver, which is what allows you to view glucose data. This biosensor needs to be applied to the back of the upper arm. Currently, this is the only FDA-approved location for CGMs. Ideally, you should try to avoid placing it directly over the muscle and instead opt for a fattier part of the arm, between the tricep and deltoid. Then, you can connect it to smart devices like glucose monitor watches and keep an eye on glucose levels in real time through the app's interface.
Benefits of Blood Glucose Monitoring on a Wearable Device
Individuals with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes need to measure blood sugar levels to stay healthy, but a CGM paired with a wearable device can provide even more insights into your health.
- Receive real-time glucose updates
- Track your glucose at regular intervals throughout the day
- Analyze historical data on glucose readings
- Connect health and wellness with diabetes management
- Get glucose alerts when levels are too high or low
- Reduces the need to draw blood with finger pricks throughout the day
It's also important to note that a wearable with a sensor meant to measure your heart rate on the wrist won't replace the diabetes technology of a CGM. The sensor underneath the watch is not always accurate and cannot provide you with information regarding your current glucose levels. While they can provide other health metrics like activity levels and sleep quality, individuals with diabetes need more accurate measurements to stay safe and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
How Can CGMs Pair with Smartwatches
Pairing CGMs with smartwatches has become an innovative way to enhance the accessibility and convenience of glucose data to make managing diabetes easy and stress-free. Many CGM manufacturers have developed compatible apps that can be installed on popular smartwatches, transforming them into glucose monitor watches. This integration allows users to receive real-time glucose readings directly on their smartwatch screens, eliminating the need to carry a separate receiver or constantly check a smartphone.
However, you can always check your data on your smartphone as well. The following apps are compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones:
- Abbott Libre 2 & 3 Mobile App
- Abbott Libre 2+ Mobile App (coming January 2024)
- Dexcom G6 & G7 Mobile App
- Medtronic Guardian Connect CGM System
- ByramConnectTM
- Glucose Buddy
- Nutrisense
- Glooko
You can also connect several other lifestyle apps to your smartwatch and smartphone, allowing for a more comprehensive overview of diabetes care. In doing so, diabetes treatments can be more efficient and customized to your needs based on your lifestyle habits.
Connecting a Compatible Smartwatch to the App
Below is a list of compatible smartwatches that provide the connectivity you need from a CGM to see blood sugar levels.
- Garmin Watch — Garmin offers compatibility with certain CGM apps, allowing users to receive glucose data directly on their Garmin smartwatches. This integration provides a convenient way for individuals to monitor their blood sugar levels during various activities, such as workouts or daily routines.
- Fitbit — Fitbit can also be paired with select CGM systems, enabling users to view their blood sugar data on their Fitbit devices. This integration allows for continuous monitoring of glucose levels alongside other health and fitness metrics that Fitbit tracks.
- K'Watch Glucose Device — K'Watch is a dedicated glucose monitoring device that resembles a traditional watch. It directly measures glucose levels and displays the data on its screen, eliminating the need for a separate app. While not a smartwatch in the traditional sense, it provides a wearable and convenient solution for glucose monitoring.
- Apple Watch — The Apple Watch is compatible with certain CGM apps, enabling users to receive glucose data on their wrists. With the Apple Watch's user-friendly interface, individuals can easily check their blood sugar levels and trends, set alerts, and integrate this health data with other fitness and health metrics tracked by the watch.
- Android Smartwatch — These offer compatibility with various CGM apps available on the Android platform. Users can pair their CGM system with an Android smartwatch to receive continuous updates on their blood sugar levels, helping them stay informed and make timely health decisions.
- Samsung Watch — Samsung Watches also supports certain CGM apps.
- Oura Ring — While not a smartwatch, the Oura Ring is a wearable that tracks several metrics, including sleep patterns and activity levels. While it doesn't directly display blood sugar data, integrating it with a compatible CGM app on a smartphone provides a comprehensive health overview.
To start using a CGM and a glucose monitor watch, you'll need to first speak with your doctor. These devices do require a prescription, but some models can be used on individuals as young as 2 years old. CGMs may also be covered by your insurance, so it's worth looking at your options. Talk to your doctor about obtaining a prescription, and contact your insurance provider to learn more. For additional diabetes support and management, Byram Healthcare has a range of continuous blood glucose monitors. We also offer diabetes support and educational materials to give you everything you need for comprehensive care.
