Continuous Glucose Monitor
Continuous Glucose Monitor
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a device that provides real-time glucose readings, typically every few minutes, throughout the day and night. The device can alert the user if glucose levels are too high or too low.
Pronunciation
Continuous Glucose Monitor is pronounced as /kənˈtɪn.ju.əs ˈɡluː.koʊs ˈmɑː.nɪ.tər/.
Etymology
The term "Continuous Glucose Monitor" is derived from its function. "Continuous" refers to the ongoing process, "Glucose" is a type of sugar that the device measures, and "Monitor" refers to the device's ability to track and display the glucose levels.
Function
A Continuous Glucose Monitor measures glucose levels in the Interstitial fluid (fluid between the cells) rather than in the blood directly. The device consists of a tiny sensor inserted under the skin to check glucose levels in tissue fluid. This sensor is connected to a transmitter that sends the information to a monitor or smart device.
Related Terms
- Glucose: A type of sugar; the main source of energy for the body.
- Interstitial fluid: Fluid that surrounds the body's cells; it contains dissolved nutrients, hormones, waste products, and other substances.
- Insulin: A hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the body.
- Diabetes: A disease in which the body's ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
- Hypoglycemia: A condition characterized by an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.
- Hyperglycemia: A condition characterized by an excessively high level of glucose in the blood.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.