Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitoring device, it attaches to a selected site on a type I diabetes patient’s skin and keeps track of the blood glucose levels continuously via a small sensor inserted underneath the patient’s skin.
Traditional practices to maintain blood glucose levels in patients with type I diabetes vary. Like a fingerstick, which is pricking your finger with a medical-grade needle and using a glucose meter to analyze the blood glucose. According to the results, if necessary, insulin can be administered. Usually, this is done using injections of insulin hormone.
Continuous monitoring of glucose and administering insulin manually as necessary can be a tedious task. It’s inconvenient, time-consuming and can be anxiety-inducing in certain patients who are afraid of needles. Having a Dexcom G6 can help reduce the work the patient has to personally do. Not only can the Dexcom G6 monitor glucose, but it can work in conjunction with an insulin pump to administer insulin bolus to the patient when necessary. The machine is equipped to secrete insulin into the body if a high blood glucose level is detected. It is not necessary for the pump to do anything when blood glucose drops, as the patient can just consume a glucose-rich food source.
A remarkable selling point of the Dexcom G6 is its alert system. Dexcom Inc. has provided a mobile application that works on both android and iOS devices. These applications can be connected to your Dexcom G6 and the blood glucose levels can be monitored through your phone or smartwatch. The Dexcom sends alerts if the blood glucose is reaching a dangerously high level or dangerously low level. These alerts can be life-saving. Prolonged high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, can cause serious organ damage and even blindness. Prolonged low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, can cause loss of consciousness, stroke or death. These alerts, evidently, are life-saving.
By using a continuous blood glucose monitor like the Dexcom G6 you can notice patterns in your blood glucose throughout the day. This can help a patient get ready for different daily activities. These includes meal-time or exercising in advance. For example, pumping the necessary amount of insulin into their system before lunch can help maintain blood glucose in a favourable range. This will help avoid high or low blood glucose conditions. When exercising one can use the Dexcom G6 to check when their blood glucose goes low and take glucose supplements during the workout as necessary. The Dexcom G6 can be used to monitor how different foods affect a patient’s blood glucose levels. This can be used as a tool to adjust one’s diet to improve the quality of life with Diabetes.
The Dexcom G6 can be used to measure a patient’s progress over time. This aids in checking how well they respond to medication and if any medication impacts blood glucose levels. This is crucial to a diabetes patient and obviously can save lives.
Dexcom Inc. is continuing to improve their product to better peoples’ lives. Many are excited for newer better versions of their products to come.
