Technology allows us to do amazing things, makes our lives more convenient, and can keep us healthier and happier. But as wonderful as all these devices and platforms can be, they also can become overwhelming and exhausting after a while. Think of the “Zoom fatigue” that many of us felt during this past year of coronavirus and quarantine. For people with diabetes, that same fatigue can develop with the very devices – such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pumps – that have transformed and improved the way they manage their condition.
“Alarm Fatigue”
It’s not that CGM or pumps become less useful, convenient, or essential; almost every eligible person who tries CGM will tell you that they can’t imagine going back to finger-pricking multiple times a day. But certain features of these devices, specifically, too many safety alarms and beeps, can start to grate on some users after a while.
“Alarm fatigue” is a genuine phenomenon for many people with diabetes who have switched to CGM or use insulin pumps. These alerts and alarms are designed to safeguard users from blood sugar highs and lows, as well as let them know of potential problems with their device. But some users feel that the frequent alarms often tell them what they already know, or sound off so often that the beeps become background noise rather than important signals they should be. Constant alarms can become “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” such that users start to ignore the alert after too many false alarms.
Personalize Your Notifications
Anyone with a smartphone understands the annoyance of too many unwanted or unneeded notifications. But most folks know that they can adjust the settings on their phone to gain control over the issue and limit their notifications to the ones that matter to them. The same goes for many diabetes devices.
On most CGM devices, you can change your settings and adjust your high and low alarms to a range that you are most comfortable with. In addition to changing thresholds for alarms, users can also put their device on silent for periods of time.
Take a Break
Whether it is a computer, tablet, smartphone, or diabetes device, taking a break from electronic devices from time to time can be beneficial to our mental health. People with diabetes can take an occasional “safe vacation” from their device as long as it doesn’t last too long and is planned such that diabetes control isn’t compromised.
As CGM and other diabetes device technology continues to improve, these advances will no doubt include more ways to customize and personalize them. This will reduce the risk of device fatigue and maximize the benefit of CGM and other devices that make life better for so many people with diabetes.
Learn More About How CGM Can Change The Way You Manage Diabetes
CGM is a tested, customizable, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes stay in control of their condition and their life. As smart insulin pen technology continues to develop, the use of CGM to keep blood levels in check will become even more beneficial.
Whether you’ve been living with diabetes for years or if you’ve recently received a diagnosis, CGM may be an excellent glucose monitoring solution. Contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.