Diabetes Information
3 Ways Dexcom Can Support Your Self-Learning Journey
When you’re living with diabetes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to understand as much as you can about your condition. Education with an emphasis on self-management plays an important role in achieving better health outcomes when managing and controlling diabetes.1
Depending on your unique needs, this might involve learning about different types of diabetes or healthy lifestyle habits such as nutrition and exercise. You may also explore available tools and technology that can better serve you, like the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems.
Wherever you focus on self-management education, this process can give you more autonomy and confidence when managing diabetes.
Improve your diabetes self-management with Dexcom support
The Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System simplifies how people with diabetes monitor their glucose by automatically providing real-time glucose readings without regular finger prick tests.* Understanding how CGM systems work can be beneficial if you want to explore how this technology might fit into your self-care.
Dexcom has a library of diabetes education and product training tools to help you get started or tailor the system to your needs. These resources provide long-term learning opportunities for whatever stage you’re at in your journey.
They also serve as companions to formal training or assistance from your diabetes doctor.* Diabetes self-management education can empower you to get the most out of Dexcom features, such as setting alerts and understanding key trends in your glucose readings. Here are three useful resources from Dexcom to keep in mind for your diabetes education.
1. Dexcom Learning Journey
The Dexcom learning journey is a step-by-step online guide that tells you everything you need to know to use Dexcom G7, Dexcom G6 or Dexcom ONE effectively. It is designed to support you as you set up and use your Dexcom CGM System. The learning journey contains resources suited to different learning styles, including detailed video tutorials, FAQs, written instructions and information about Dexcom CGM Systems and apps. It is self-guided, so you can explore different topics at your own pace and focus on what you want to learn. The learning journey guides you through the following steps:
- Learn the basics covers how each Dexcom CGM System works and general information about diabetes and insulin.
- Ready to Get Started provides step-by-step instructions on using the system. There’s also information on interpreting your glucose readings and trends.
- Your First 10 Days With Dexcom guides you through replacing the sensor and making treatment decisions with your Dexcom CGM System readings.† There’s also usage guidance for everyday situations, such as when at school, as well as information for using the Dexcom Follow app.‡
- Beyond the Basics describes how to replace your transmitter§ and gives practical tips such as managing sensor adhesion and travelling with your Dexcom CGM System.
- Understanding Your Diabetes Trends offers resources for using the Dexcom Clarity app and how to interpret your in-app reports. There’s also information about understanding your time in range (TIR), which can give you a more complete picture of changes in your glucose levels.2
2. User-friendly Instructions and Guides
The Dexcom app makes setting up and learning about your Dexcom CGM System easier by providing in-app instructions. Once you receive your Dexcom CGM System, the first step is to download the Dexcom G7, Dexcom G6, or Dexcom ONE app to your compatible smart device.||
When you’ve created an account and logged in, the Dexcom app walks you through the set-up process. These instructions will show you how your Dexcom CGM System works, how to connect the device to your phone, || and how to insert and pair the sensor.
Your Dexcom CGM System comes with a set of paper instructions. You can refer to these alongside the apps when setting up and using your Dexcom CGM System. There’s also a more extensive catalogue of detailed user guides that you can download for different Dexcom products.
Additionally, you might be interested in learning more about two supporting apps: Dexcom Clarity and Dexcom Follow. Dexcom Clarity shows you your glucose patterns and trends over time, and allows you to share the information with your diabetes care team.¶ Your caregivers and loved ones can use Dexcom Follow to view your glucose readings and be your support network.# Refer to the user guides for instructions on Dexcom Clarity and Dexcom Follow.
3. Dexcom Help Centre
The Dexcom Help Centre is an online information hub for Dexcom support and diabetes education. This page can be valuable if you want to access learning resources but aren’t sure where to start. It’s also useful when you have a specific question and want to find the answer quickly.
The Dexcom Help Centre is where you’ll find FAQs. These are organised by each Dexcom product and give easy-to-follow explanations for using and troubleshooting your Dexcom CGM System and apps. If you like to learn visually, the Help Centre houses a collection of informational videos. There are also resources on Dexcom Clarity, Dexcom Follow app, NHS funding eligibility and more.
The answers to most of your questions are available and easy to find in the Dexcom Help Centre. You will also find downloadable user guides here. Should you need technical support, simply submit a support request, and our team will be pleased to assist you.
Take control of your diabetes education
Investing time in your self-management education can support your approach to self-care and inform treatment decisions when consulting with your diabetes care team. Dexcom resources can help you learn more about living with diabetes and using an CGM system wherever you are on your journey. Consider bookmarking key pages like the Help Centre in your browser to easily consult Dexcom support as your learning needs evolve.
* If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom system do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
† All diabetes management decisions should be discussed with your healthcare professional (HCP).
‡ The Dexcom Follow app is available with Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7.
§ Dexcom G7 does not require replacing the transmitter.
|| Smart devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility.
¶ An internet connection is required to send glucose data to Dexcom CLARITY via a compatible smart device.
# The Dexcom Share feature must be activated in your Dexcom App to share data with Dexcom Follow users.
1 Shrivastava S, Shrivastava P, Ramasamy J. Role of self-care in management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Disorders. 2013;12(14). doi: 10.1186/2251-6581-12-14.
2 Vigersky RA, et al. The Relationship of Hemoglobin A1C to Time-in-Range in Patients with Diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 2019;21(2):81-85. doi: 10.1089/dia.2018.0310.
† All diabetes management decisions should be discussed with your healthcare professional (HCP).
‡ The Dexcom Follow app is available with Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7.
§ Dexcom G7 does not require replacing the transmitter.
|| Smart devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility.
¶ An internet connection is required to send glucose data to Dexcom CLARITY via a compatible smart device.
# The Dexcom Share feature must be activated in your Dexcom App to share data with Dexcom Follow users.
1 Shrivastava S, Shrivastava P, Ramasamy J. Role of self-care in management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Disorders. 2013;12(14). doi: 10.1186/2251-6581-12-14.
2 Vigersky RA, et al. The Relationship of Hemoglobin A1C to Time-in-Range in Patients with Diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 2019;21(2):81-85. doi: 10.1089/dia.2018.0310.