What Is Dexcom - Diabetes Management Devices

April 15, 2024 Diabetic Exchange USA

If you have diabetes, chances are you’re looking into the best diabetes management devices on the market. A short online search will pull up continuous glucose monitoring devices, such as Dexcom G6 CGM and Dexcom G7 sensors. But what is Dexcom, and why do many Americans rely on these gadgets?

Diabetes On The Rise Worldwide

Diabetes is on the rise globally. Around the world, 422 million people are currently living with diabetes. ¹ In the United States alone, it’s estimated that a staggering 38.4 million people live with the condition. ² With over 1.2 million new diagnoses in the United States every year, these figures will likely continue rising. ³

Diabetes is a chronic, lifelong condition that can’t be cured. However, effective diabetes management allows diabetics to live fulfilled and healthy lives, free from some of the debilitating consequences associated with diabetes.

Diabetes management has been transformed in recent years, not only by advances in medicine but also by advances in technology. Dexcom's continuous glucose monitoring devices empower people to take control of their diabetes rather than letting it control them.

What Is Dexcom & How Does It Help With Diabetes Management?

Since 1999, Dexcom has been harnessing the power of technology to change the way people manage diabetes. Diabetes is a lifelong condition - Dexcom is committed to making diabetes management more straightforward with continuous glucose monitoring devices.

To understand how Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring devices help with diabetes management, we must first understand diabetes.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes affects how the body converts food into energy. In someone without diabetes, the body breaks down food into sugar (glucose), which is then released into the bloodstream. Increased blood sugar causes the pancreas to release insulin, which then lets the blood sugar into the body’s cells to use as energy. ⁴

In someone with diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t make any at all. This means too much blood sugar stays in the bloodstream, which can lead to serious health complications like kidney disease, loss of vision, heart disease, and limb amputation. ⁵

Improper diabetes management can even be deadly. Indeed, in 2021, diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, based on over 103,000 death certificates where diabetes was named as the underlying cause of death. ⁶

How Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Work

Effective diabetes management means that those with the condition need to replace the insulin that their bodies can’t produce to stay well. They must monitor their blood sugar levels regularly to determine the appropriate insulin dose.

Traditionally, this involves pricking a finger and testing a drop of blood with a glucose meter. The downside of fingerstick checks is that they only measure blood glucose at that moment in time, so people with diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels several times a day. ⁷

Advances in technology have enabled the creation of continuous glucose monitoring devices. As the name suggests, these devices automatically estimate blood glucose levels 24 hours a day through a sensor inserted under the skin. A transmitter sends the information to a software program that’s stored on a smartphone, insulin pump, or a separate device known as a receiver. ⁸

With continuous glucose monitoring devices, not only can diabetics check their blood glucose levels at any time without pricking their fingers, but they can also see how the level changes over some time, allowing them to spot patterns. ⁹

Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices

Dexcom has developed a range of innovative continuous glucose monitoring devices to help those with diabetes take control of their health with efficient diabetes management. Let’s explore the products in more detail now.

Dexcom G6 CGM

The Dexcom G6 CGM sends glucose numbers to a smart device every five minutes without the need for fingerstick checks. This helps the user identify trends in their numbers, empowering them to make better diabetes management decisions.

The Dexcom G6 CGM app, where glucose numbers are stored, allows the user to customize alert sounds that fit their lifestyle. The app will send alerts when their blood glucose levels are too high or too low, making diabetes management a breeze. The Dexcom G6 CGM is small and discreet, allowing the wearer to go about their day without the constant worry of monitoring their blood sugar levels manually.

Dexcom G7 Sensor

Dexcom’s cutting-edge continuous glucose monitoring device, the Dexcom G7 Sensor, is the most accurate device on the market. It delivers all the benefits of the Dexcom G6 CGM, but it’s 60% smaller than other devices, allowing optimum discretion and comfort for the wearer.

The Dexcom G7 Sensor app features customizable alerts that can be tailored to suit the requirements of the individual patient. The user can also track their progress using the Dexcom Clarity card, which provides insights into your glucose patterns directly in the app.

Investing In Diabetes Management Devices

Dexcom's continuous glucose monitoring devices are transforming the way people manage diabetes, enabling them to take control of a lifelong condition so they can lead the lives they want.

Continuous glucose monitoring devices are more convenient than fingerstick tests. Once the sensor is fitted under the skin, the device does all the work. For those who struggle to reach and maintain their target blood glucose levels, continuous glucose monitoring devices are a great solution. ¹⁰

Diabetes management devices monitor blood glucose levels around the clock and deliver real-time results. This allows people with diabetes to check their numbers at any time and make informed decisions about aspects of their lives, such as what they eat and how they exercise - both of which can improve symptoms associated with diabetes.

What Is Dexcom - Find Out More

There may not be a cure for diabetes, but Dexcom diabetes management devices allow those with the condition to take back control. Continuous glucose monitoring devices like the G6 and G7 help people get to grips with complex conditions, reducing the risk of health complications caused by poor diabetes management.

Diabetes affects people, and Dexcom puts people at the center of diabetes management devices. A diagnosis of diabetes can often make people feel isolated and alone. That’s why the Dexcom Warrior program was set up - to give Dexcom users a space to connect, promote diabetes awareness, and share their stories.

If you’d like to learn more about Dexcom's continuous glucose monitoring devices, visit the website now.

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