What is a CGM?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a small sensor worn on the body that measures glucose levels in real-time, typically every 5 minutes. Unlike finger-prick tests that give you a single snapshot, a CGM shows you the full picture — the rises, falls, and patterns throughout your day.
Why does it matter?
For patients managing diabetes or pre-diabetes, understanding glucose patterns is transformative. You begin to see how specific foods, meal timing, stress, and exercise affect your blood sugar — not in theory, but in your own body.
The key numbers to watch
• Fasting glucose: Ideally 70–100 mg/dL when you wake up
• Post-meal spike: Should stay below 140 mg/dL, ideally returning to baseline within 2 hours
• Time in range: The percentage of time your glucose stays between 70–180 mg/dL — aim for 70% or above
What your doctor isn't telling you
Most patients focus on single readings. What matters more is the shape of your curve. A sharp spike followed by a crash is worse than a gentle, sustained elevation — even if the peak number is similar.
Practical tips
1. Don't eat carbs alone. Always pair with protein, fat, or fibre to flatten the curve.
2. Walk after meals. Even 10 minutes significantly reduces post-meal spikes.
3. Test your staples. Rice, roti, bread — see how YOUR body responds to YOUR usual portions.
4. Sleep matters. Poor sleep reliably raises next-day glucose. Track and see.
The bottom line
A CGM is a learning tool, not a judgement machine. Use it for 2–4 weeks to understand your patterns, then make sustainable changes. That's the Sehat+ approach — data-driven, compassionate, and always focused on long-term results.