The Glucose Sensor for Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

During the sensor phase of the Ebby migraine app, you have the chance to wear a glucose sensor that determines your individual blood sugar response to different foods. But how does such a sensor work, and what should you keep in mind while using it?

Reading time: 8 minutes

Last updated: February 6, 2024

Studies show that blood sugar plays a significant role in migraines. A low-glycemic diet, which helps keep your blood sugar low and stable, has been shown in recent research to be an effective method of migraine prevention—conveniently, without side effects or risks.

With the Ebby Migraine Prevention App, you have a unique opportunity to take a look inside your body and monitor your blood sugar levels using a glucose sensor. This helps you identify which foods and meals help maintain low and stable blood sugar levels.

Following the two-week period where you wear the sensor and observe your blood sugar responses, the app provides personalized dietary recommendations tailored to you. These recommendations can help effectively reduce migraine attacks.

Participants in the Ebby study reported:

44% fewer migraine days: Migraine days decreased by an average of 2.4 days per month.
Shorter attacks: The duration of migraines decreased by approximately 15 hours per month on average.
Improved quality of life: 80% of participants experienced a noticeable improvement in their migraines.

Maintaining stable blood sugar not only helps prevent migraines but also promotes overall health.

The Starter Kit, Including the Glucose Sensor

Once you’ve purchased Ebby in our online shop, you’ll receive a stylish starter kit. Inside, along with other essential tools to reduce migraine attacks, you’ll find the glucose sensor and an applicator to attach it to your upper arm.

Don’t worry! Applying the sensor is painless and incredibly fascinating. Below, you’ll find a detailed explanation of how the sensor works, how to apply it, and how to remove it.

The glucose sensor and our personalized analysis give you a unique glimpse into your body. For the first time, you can gain such insights into your metabolism!

How Does a Glucose Sensor Work?

In the past, measuring blood sugar required pricking your fingertip with a needle and placing a drop of blood on a test strip. Thankfully, those days are behind us, as fingertips are highly sensitive. Modern sensors now allow continuous monitoring of tissue glucose once applied, providing a comprehensive view of your glucose trends.

This continuous monitoring happens seamlessly in the background, without interrupting your daily activities.

Migraine Relief through Personalized Nutrition

Medication Free
Side Effect Free
Based on Science

Blood Sugar vs. Tissue Glucose Measurement

For accurate blood sugar measurement, the sensor’s electrode would need to be inside a blood vessel, making application far more complicated. Instead, glucose sensors use a fine filament placed in the subcutaneous fat layer to measure tissue glucose.

Blood sugar and tissue glucose levels correlate well when blood sugar is stable. However, when blood sugar fluctuates rapidly, the tissue glucose values may show changes with a delay of about 5 to 25 minutes. This delay is accounted for during data analysis.

A Practical Example

The first glucose sensors were relatively large and bulky, but modern sensors are small, thin, and unobtrusive. These sensors provide real-time updates on your glucose levels, viewable on your smartphone. To access minute-by-minute updates, you’ll need the manufacturer’s app, which reads and displays the data for you.

Manufacturer’s App Features:

Current glucose levels
Trends: Will your glucose levels likely rise or fall?
Detailed glucose curves showing how your meals affect your blood sugar and which foods keep it stable

You can also enable push notifications for high or low glucose levels. For the Ebby app, however, it’s not necessary to monitor your values in the manufacturer’s app—the data is automatically transferred to the Ebby app.

Applying the Glucose Sensor

The sensor is applied to the skin of your upper arm using an applicator. A small filament is inserted into the subcutaneous fat layer, where tissue glucose is measured. The process is entirely painless. The filament is less than 0.4 mm wide and is inserted only 5 mm beneath the skin.

Steps for Application:

Choose the best location: The back of your upper arm is ideal since the skin there remains smooth during daily activities, and the sensor won’t get in the way.
Prepare the area: Clean the skin with soap, dry it thoroughly, then use the included alcohol wipe to disinfect the area. Let it dry completely. For hairy skin, shave the area for better adhesion.
Open the sensor package: Carefully unpack the sensor applicator and remove the cap.
Apply the sensor: Place the applicator over the prepared skin and press firmly. The flexible filament is painlessly inserted under the skin.
Secure the sensor: Gently remove the applicator, leaving the sensor securely attached.

Pro Tips for Wearing the Sensor:

Be cautious when showering, dressing, or moving through doorways to avoid dislodging it.
Dry the sensor gently by patting, not rubbing, with a towel.
For extra security, use the included adhesive patch to keep the sensor in place, ensuring the central hole remains uncovered.

Removing the Glucose Sensor

The sensor can be worn for up to 14 days. When it’s time to remove it, the app will notify you in advance. To remove, gently lift the adhesive edge and peel it off like a bandage. This process is also painless.

Disposal:

Glucose sensors are considered electronic waste and should be recycled accordingly.
The applicator can be disposed of at medical waste drop-off points.

Conclusion

Research underscores the significant role blood sugar plays in migraines. The Ebby app offers a unique opportunity to use a glucose sensor for continuous monitoring of tissue glucose over a two-week period.

The sensor acts as a window into your body, helping you identify how different foods and meals impact your blood sugar. After the trial phase, you’ll receive personalized dietary recommendations to maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduce migraine attacks.

Modern glucose sensors are compact, easy to use, and integrate seamlessly into daily life. They are painlessly applied and removed and come as part of the Ebby starter kit.

Sources

Bongiovanni, D. et al. Effectiveness of ketogenic diet in treatment of patients with refractory chronic migraine. Neurol Sci 42, 3865–3870 (2021).
Evcili, G., Utku, U., Öğün, M. N. & Özdemir, G. Early and long period follow-up results of low glycemic index diet for migraine prophylaxis. Agri 30, 8–11 (2018).
Razeghi Jahromi, S. et al. Association of diet and headache. J Headache Pain20, 106 (2019).
Lelleck, V. V. et al. A Digital Therapeutic Allowing a Personalized Low-Glycemic Nutrition for the Prophylaxis of Migraine: Real World Data from Two Prospective Studies. Nutrients 14, 2927 (2022).
Petersen, M. C. & Shulman, G. I. Mechanisms of Insulin Action and Insulin Resistance. Physiological Reviews 98, 2133–2223 (2018).
Heinemann, L. & Freckmann, G. CGM Versus FGM; or, Continuous Glucose Monitoring Is Not Flash Glucose Monitoring. J Diabetes Sci Technol 9, 947–950 (2015).
Alva, S. et al. Accuracy of a 14-day factory-calibrated continuous glucose monitoring system with advanced algorithm in pediatric and adult population with diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 16, 70–77 (2022).

About the Author

Miriam Jansen

Miriam had to give up her job due to chronic migraines - and became a migraine expert during this time. The migraine helped her to make a radical change in her life: She now lives as a digital nomad in her bus and works as a copywriter & as a shepherdess on an alp.