CGM, insulin and diet counselling
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) uses a small sensor on the upper arm to record your sugar every few minutes, day and night, for up to two weeks. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das fits CGM sensors, reads the results with you, and combines them with practical insulin training and diet counselling, so you understand what moves your sugar and what to do about it.
At a glance
- What CGM is: a coin-sized sensor with a fine flexible filament under the skin, worn for about 14 days
- What it shows: sugar patterns after meals, at night, with exercise and with medicines
- Who it helps: people on insulin, people with frequent lows or unexplained highs, diabetes in pregnancy, and anyone whose HbA1c does not match their home readings
- Key number: "time in range", the share of the day your sugar stays between 70 and 180 mg/dL; for many adults the goal is more than 70%
- At Medcare: sensor fitting, report reading, insulin technique training, diet counselling
What CGM shows that a finger-prick cannot
A finger-prick tells you your sugar at one moment. CGM shows the whole day:
- Sugar rises after particular foods, like a large rice meal or sweet tea
- Low sugar at night that you may sleep through
- The effect of a 15-minute walk after dinner
- Early morning highs
- How your medicines act through the day
This helps Dr. Das adjust treatment with real information, and it helps you see the effect of your own choices.
How it works at Medcare
- Fitting. The sensor is applied to the back of the upper arm in a few minutes. Most people feel little or nothing.
- Daily life. You can bathe, sleep and work normally. Keep a simple note of meals, activity and medicine times.
- Reading the results. After the wear period, Dr. Das goes through the graph with you and points out patterns.
- Plan change. Medicines, meal timing and portion sizes are adjusted based on what the sensor showed.
Insulin counselling
Many people worry about starting insulin. Good training makes it simple and safe. We cover:
- How insulin works and why your type and timing were chosen
- Using a pen or syringe, choosing and rotating injection sites, and needle disposal
- Storing insulin, including during travel and hot weather
- Recognising and treating low sugar: if sugar is below 70 mg/dL, take 15 g of fast sugar (such as 3 teaspoons of sugar in water), recheck after 15 minutes, then eat a snack
- Adjusting for illness, fasting days and festivals
- When to call the clinic
Diet counselling
Food advice at Medcare is built on what you already eat. Dr. Das holds certification in diabetic diet counselling . Advice usually covers:
- The plate method: half vegetables, a quarter protein (dal, fish, egg, paneer, chicken), a quarter rice or roti
- Rice portions that still feel satisfying
- Better choices at tea time and for snacks
- Fruit: which, how much and when
- Festival meals, weddings and pitha season
- Eating out and late dinners
- Using CGM results to see your own food responses
How to prepare
- Bring your current medicines, insulin pens and meter
- For CGM, avoid heavy body lotion on the upper arm on the day of fitting
- Bring a few photos of your usual meals; it makes diet advice more practical
FAQs
Does the CGM sensor hurt?
Most people feel only a light press when the sensor is applied. A thin flexible filament sits just under the skin, not a needle. Many patients forget it is there within a day. Mild itching or redness under the patch can happen and usually settles.
Can I bathe or swim with the sensor?
You can bathe and shower normally. Most sensors are water-resistant for short swims at shallow depth. Pat the area dry and avoid rubbing it with a towel. Dr. Das will explain the care for the type of sensor you are given.
Is CGM accurate?
Modern CGM sensors are accurate enough to guide most daily decisions. They read sugar in the fluid under the skin, so they lag a few minutes behind a finger-prick. If you feel low but the sensor reads normal, check with a finger-prick and treat based on that.
Is CGM only for people on insulin?
No. People on tablets also learn a lot from two weeks of CGM, especially about how food and activity affect them. It is also helpful in pregnancy and when HbA1c and home readings do not match.
What should I do if my sugar goes low?
If your sugar is below 70 mg/dL or you feel shaky, sweaty or confused, take 15 g of fast-acting sugar, such as 3 teaspoons of sugar in water or half a glass of fruit juice. Check again after 15 minutes and repeat if still low. Then eat a small snack. If someone is unconscious, call 108.
Do I have to give up rice?
No. Most people in Assam eat rice daily, and a good plan can include it. The amount, what you eat with it, and what you do after the meal matter more. CGM can show you how much rice your body handles well.
Sources
- International Consensus on Time in Range (Diabetes Care, 2019)
- American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care: Diabetes Technology
Related care
From the Health Library
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.