Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are small wearable medical devices that continuously measure glucose in the fluid under the skin and send real-time readings to a display or smartphone. They replace or supplement fingerstick checks, giving people with diabetes immediate insight into trends, alarms for dangerous highs and lows, and data that informs treatment decisions.
The technology emerged from decades of efforts to make glucose monitoring less invasive and more actionable. Early CGMs were larger, required frequent calibration and had limited accuracy. Advances in sensor chemistry, microelectronics and wireless communication have now transformed them into compact, factory-calibrated devices that can run for days or weeks and integrate with apps and insulin delivery systems.
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Today, CGMs are central to diabetes care. They lower hypoglycaemia risk, improve glycaemic control and reduce the burden of constant fingerpricking. Integrated systems combine CGMs with insulin pumps to create automated insulin delivery loops that adjust dosing based on glucose trends. Clinicians also use CGM data to tailor therapy, and data-sharing enables caregivers to remotely monitor vulnerable patients, such as children and older adults.
Looking ahead, we should expect more accurate, longer-lasting sensors, lower costs and wider adoption beyond those with type 1 diabetes. Noninvasive approaches and multi-analyte sensors (glucose plus ketones or lactate) are under development, as are AI tools that predict glucose excursions and offer personalised recommendations. Broader access and smarter integrations could make CGMs a staple in preventive metabolic health, not just in diabetes management. CGMs have shifted glucose care from snapshots to continuous stories — reducing surprises, improving outcomes and giving users smoother control. As sensors, software and affordability improve, continuous monitoring will play an ever larger role in making metabolic health easier to manage.
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By GlobalData
