Diabetes: real-time measuring devices from the cash register

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Diabetics have to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels in order to keep their organs as healthy as possible. Life-threatening hypoglycaemia is particularly feared. So-called real-time measuring devices offer decisive advantages: They sound the alarm if the blood sugar threatens to derail. Most recently, the costs for the small measuring computers have been taken over by the statutory health insurance companies.

In some diabetics, the blood sugar level fluctuates greatly. In this case, regular self-monitoring is often not enough to avoid dangerous hypoglycaemia. A real-time measuring device, also called CGMS (Continuous Glucose Monitoring System), records blood sugar not only selectively, but continuously. This makes it easier to keep the sugar levels in balance.

24/7 alert

To do this, a small sensor in the skin, for example on the stomach, measures the sugar in the water between the cells in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The device constantly sends these values ​​to a receiver that the patient always carries with him. If the sugar level approaches a critical value, the device alerts the patient with a vibrating alarm or beeping. In this way, he can take countermeasures in good time by taking food or injecting insulin.

Previously, diabetes patients had to pay for the real-time measuring device out of their own pocket. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has now decided that in future this service will be covered by the statutory health insurance companies for diabetics who have to inject insulin. Internists as well as general practitioners and paediatricians with the additional qualification diabetology may prescribe the measuring device.

Stable blood sugar for health

A blood sugar level that is as stable as possible is important for diabetics. Chronically elevated values ​​cause damage to nerves, blood vessels and organs. In the case of acute hypoglycaemia, on the other hand, the brain does not receive enough food and the patient can fall into a life-threatening coma. (away)

Source:Press release of the Federal Joint Committee: Continuous glucose measurement with real-time measuring devices in future statutory health insurance benefits for diabetics requiring insulin, June 16, 2016.

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