August 24, 2025 • 29 mins
Dr. Sandeep Rao brings the borderland the latest information in healthcare, medicine and technology. He considers himself a hacker in the positive sense, using his intimate knowledge of the medical system to break down some of the barriers to accessing new medical technologies and information.
For more information call Dr. Rao's office at 915-500-4370 or email Rao@medicalhackers.com
Be the first to hear the show in News Radio KTSM-AM Saturdays at noon, an iHeart station.
For more information call Dr. Rao's office at 915-500-4370 or email Rao@medicalhackers.com
Be the first to hear the show in News Radio KTSM-AM Saturdays at noon, an iHeart station.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Good afternoon. It's another weekend here in the heart of
the dusty schwall in desert in West Texas. You're listening
to the Medical Hackers. However you may be tuned in
this week and I'm your host, doctor san deep Row.
I'm here to bring the board land the latest information
in healthcare, medicine and technology on the show. I consider
myself a hacker, a hacker of the politicians, so a
(00:25):
hacker using my intimate knowledge of the medical system to
breaking down some of the barriers to accessing new medical
technologies and current healthcare information. So I have doctor ukber
Khn here.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Yeah, great to have you. I've had you in a
few times because I think you bring a lot of
cool new ideas, new topics to the show. You are
by training a nephrologist who deals with the kidneys. That's
a kidney doctor, but part of his trainings off he
is also includes high blood pressure. So it's renal diseases
and hypertension. But one of the topics that you raised
(01:05):
and I thought it was an amazing topic once you
told me about it, I was like, wow, that we
should absolutely do a show about this is continuous glucose monitoring.
I think it's really important because Elpaso, really, this borderland
region is really one of the epicenters of folks who
have pre diabetes. So I think this fits in perfectly. Well.
(01:26):
I'm sure there's a ton of folks out there who
have continuous glucose monitoring or CGM if we go back
and forth between that's what we're talking about CGM, and
I think it's something that I know folks who need it,
who have it, but I also know folks who probably
have no need for it, who are also considering. And
(01:47):
we're going to get into that because I know there
are some folks out there who are considered so called biohackers.
You know, there's an entire community out and I've heard
it discussed out in Silicon Valley, folks who are considered biohackers,
folks who are trying to look for the next great
thing anti aging exactly. And so I think that's where
it could also potentially fit in because there's a lot
(02:07):
of healthy people. Even our producer here, Amber, who's a
very healthy person who does a lot of very fit,
very fit She's she's training for lots of amazing events,
and she is also interested in CGM continuous glucose monitoring,
So real quick, just tell us, you know, real quick,
(02:27):
what that is. What does that entail?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Sure, shout out to my endo chronology colleagues. A CGM
continuous glucose monitors kind of like a fitbit for your
blood sugar, tracking it every few minutes, sending the results
straight to your phone. How it works is you place
a little implantable device underneath your skin. Oh excuse me, no,
(02:50):
that's something we're going to tease a little bit later.
A CGM monitor is a subcutaneous device that you attach,
usually on the back of your arm, and put a
little sticky uh a sticker on it, and you plug
this little one by one inch device that tracks your
glucose continuously.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
And it's proven to be.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
A miracle for diabet but for diabetics, especially type one diabetics,
but also now type two diabetics, and it's just a
game changer. It's it's it allows physicians and patients to
track their sugars prevent death. It's it's some new age
technology which is incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Sure, So basically, as you said, it's you know, it's
maybe the size of maybe two tact quarters, is what
I've heard people describe it as it can be on
the upper arm, maybe in the stomach. But what's interesting
is that in the olden days or traditionally, when you're
measuring your glucose, they still do. Yes, we do, We did.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
We still make many that millions of patients still do.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Exactly we measure your glucose when you're getting your blood
tests and you get it from the bloodstream. But what
made this interesting is that it's a tiny little filament,
tiny little needle, sort of micro needle, micro needle that
measures glucose, not from directly from your bloodstream, but in
that what we call the interstitial space, the fluid right
(04:17):
underneath your skin. So it's not as is it as precise?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Oh good question. So what you're referring to. People do
do fingersticks three to four times a day, and usually
when people who take insulin or after meals, they'd have
to prick their fingertips. You know, it's actually nasty, it hurts.
You know, people become numb to it. But it's actually
very painful because you have to prick your finger, put
(04:44):
it on this little these little glucose strips, and it
tells you your sugar levels.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The what was the question? I'm sorry, wow, I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
I forgot the question is there's traditional ways to measure
your glucose the bloodstream.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Sure, but I.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Personally feel and I don't know what the oh, how
accurate it was?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Excuse me? I got it? Yees.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
So just in that subcontangees that that's interstitial space.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Just yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
So there is a variation in the how accurate it is.
So once these numbers are sent to your phone through
the device, there is a up to twenty perc like
up to eighteen units difference. That can be very that's variable, right,
(05:31):
which can kind of be scary because if you, let's
say you have a very low blood sugar less than
seventy if it's plus or minus eighteen, that could throw
you into a dangerously low hypoglycemic state low blood sugar
where you could potentially you know, pass out and you know,
have these shakes and shivers and you're sweating, you know,
(05:53):
go to the hospital type situation. So this is the
variation that it shows. But what we and our medical
have are going to speak about shortly, the new device
is up to seven units of variation only, so it's
even more precise.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
That's great to know because in the bottom line is
as you eat, as you take ingest carbohydrates or sugars,
that rises or falls in your bloodstream. That's something very
important for folks to know. That's what we're trying to do.
We're trying to measure your body's response to what you're eating.
And so when you think about it, you know your
(06:29):
normal healthy fasting blood glucose without diabies. So someone like myself,
it should be anywhere between seventy to ninety nine milligrams
per desolator. Okay, Now, if you're pre diabetic, that number
can jump up to about one hundred to one hundred
and twenty six milligrams per desolator. Now if you're above
(06:50):
one twenty six again, if you're fasting. So right now,
I am in a fasting state. I just came in
this morning. I have not eaten at all, coffee, nothing, okay,
taking nothing, I am I'm just going off what I
ate last night. So this is a fasting blood glucose level.
So I should be between seventy nine nine hopefully, But
(07:12):
if if you had measured me and I was above
one twenty six, then that would indicate that I am
a diabetic or at least time you have to get
multiple measurements, not just one single measurement, but.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
We would say it's high, right you.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Uh, one twenty six is this threshold number that we
go to. You know, fasting usually is around eight hours.
What we tell patients in the clinic, you know, don't
eat after twelve or don't you eat before twelve, and
then usually go first thing in the morning to get
your fasting blood glucose. Obviously there's some variation, but one
twenty six is that shiny number that we have in
the guidelines.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Sure, so within an hour of a meal or within
an hour of eating anything, your blood crickkers can actually spike,
which which happens all the time. Last week you brought.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Us some donuts, pistachio donuts.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Exactly, and it's not on you usual for your blood sugar,
even in someone who has normal who's not diabetic, for
to climb above one twenty six, So it can climb
to almost you know, one forty milligrams or more potentially,
but it should eventually fall back down to baseline levels
within two to three hours. So it's important to know
(08:19):
that you know, these these sugar monitors just as I
was kind of going through this, it's actually been available
since actually since the late nineteen nineties. It's not some
it is a there are some newer applications of it,
but really the entire concept has been out there since
since the nineties. But really, what's really caused it to
(08:41):
the interest to spike, so to speak, since we were
talking about sugar spiking. What's caused it to spike is
the fact that the United States FDA, the Food Drug Administration,
approved the first over the counter monitors really within the
last year or so. And so that's what makes it
interesting because now it's not just people who are diabetic
(09:02):
who might want it, but there's also folks who are
in this entire new.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Realm metabolic health, as we say.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Who are interested in just doing health monitoring. Everybody's out
there is trying to get ways to kind of see
how your body's functioning. We have these fitbits, we have
sleeping right obviously, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
There's so many.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
So we're going to take a break here on the
hackers because I want to kind of get into that
a little bit, because actually it's very important to know
the vast majority of people who are using continuous glucose
monitoring who are using CGM don't have a diagnosis of diabetes.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
That's weird and I want to kind.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Of get into that. Why would you want to do
it if you are not a diabetic.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
You're listening to the Medical Hackers with doctor Sande brow
Board certified vascular interventionalist, bringing you insights on treatments for
common medical problems on news radio six ninety KTSM. For
more information on the issues discussed, or to contact doctor Raw,
call nine one five five hundred four three seven zero
(10:06):
or by emailing Rao at medical hackers dot com.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Back your own the Hackers. I'm doctor Rout here. I'm
here with doctor Khan with the Ivascular Center and he's
a nephrologist and he's when we're discussing continues glucose monitoring,
and really the indications are ideally for prediabetics or diabetics.
(10:33):
It's a very minimally invasive technology. You just kind of
slap on your skin, possibly like a nicotine patch or
something like that.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
And it's like SubQ there's a little micro needles I
got to go in.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
So I mean exactly, so it's problem, but it shouldn't
as you're going through a day, it shouldn't really bother
you with continuous pain or anything.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
No, no, no, not at all.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
I think the real issue or you know, problem with
is taking showers, taking off the little stick, the adhesive,
these sort of things is what bothers people, or at
least what i've what I've heard.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
So what's interesting is that for folks who listen to
a lot of healthcare podcasts or shows or YouTube channels,
there's a lot of interest being gained in the area
of using continuous glucose monitoring for healthy folks, that is,
folks who are not diabetic, not even in the range
of being a pre diabetic, but they're thinking about trying
(11:28):
to really optimize their meals. And so I'll first want
to get into that a little bit because it's always
nice to have more information in general. But some people
say that it might be a little bit of a waste,
and I kind of want to get into this. There
are three little studies I found here. So one study
(11:48):
was they looked at about one hundred and fifty three
people who didn't have diabetes, and they found they were
doing diabetic monitoring. They found ninety six percent of the
time their blood sugar levels were pretty much normal. So
if you're doing continuous glucose monitoring and you are not
a diabetic, the idea that it would just somehow be
abnormal and you'd find diabetes is very very rare, So
(12:13):
if you're doing it for that reason may not be worthwhile.
There's another small study. They looked at sedentary individuals as
folks are just basically couch potatoes that's a fancy word
for couch potatoes without diabetes, who are who were overwheat, overweight,
or obese. And they looked at those folks and they
found that they used a CGM device and a tracker
(12:35):
for ten days, and they found that, interestingly, these folks
actually felt more motivated to do exercise. So it's kind
of interesting that what it does, though, I think these
little devices is at least it gives you a little
bit more attention to your health. Because you have this
device on, you have this new information. It may not
(12:58):
necessarily change you're underlying sugars, but by having this monitor
looking at you, maybe you are going to change your activity.
Now here's where I want to get into it a
little bit more. Some folks like to see what is
the impact of the odd donut or cupcake on their diet.
(13:21):
And I think that's another area in which I think
I could potentially benefit. So me personally, sometimes I can
get tempted all of a sudden, I might want to
you just indulge in a sweet treat here and there.
And I think if I were to wear a CGM,
a continuous glucose monitor, all of a sudden, it's almost
like shining a light on that little bad habit.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Right, Okay, I see that, and I think it's a
cool hack, But I think it does more harm than good,
Doctor Row, And I'll tell you why. There are a
lot of false alarms that people are going to be
very scared. And if you're not in the medical field
and you are seeing your sugars go up and down,
it's a natural body thing.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
We go up and down.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
It's part of what we do, how we've evolutionized over
you know, thousands of years. So I think, you know,
we should hack response medically, hack responsibly. The idea is great,
we should know how we react to different foods and
drinks and fluids. But you know, I think it does
more harm than good for people who are not needing
(14:26):
to really track it like these diabetic patients.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Sure, it's my opinion, no, for sure. Now, one thing
I do want I do not want to necessarily delve
into because I think it's probably out of my depth,
is I do know there are a lot of folks
who are in the athletes who are in the area
of trying to get peak performance with peak mental performance,
peak physical performance. Sure, and I've heard folks talk about
(14:50):
being able to really monitor your sugars over the course
of if you're an athlete training for an event or
just in general training, they eat certain food, they try
to see how that food has an impact on their sugars,
and they're trying to really optimize their diets. So that's
really outside my I'm not in the that space.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Yeah, but yeah, reminds me of like Tour de France cycling.
These guys really do optimize their health with training. And
you know, but I agree, I think it's there's a
there's a need for it in that world. But these
are super athletes that are you know, high octane you
know athletes training, so that that's a different world.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
I wouldn't know much about that.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Sure, So let's let's kind of just go back to
the basic level of the vast majority folks who actually
would benefit from tracking glucose. Sure not those of us
who are biohackers biohacker types are trying to get to
that level. But let's just think about it. So there's
multiple factors that can actually affect your glucose level, right,
(15:58):
So sort of things lack of sleep. If you're not
getting good sleep, your body can actually use insulin less effectively,
So that's just something good to know. Coffee coffee drinkers
may not know that their blood sugars are sometimes sensitive
to caffeine, so that's something just to be aware of,
and that's something that maybe having continuous glucose monitoring might
(16:21):
actually be helpful for. Another thing is dehydration, So if
you are not drinking enough water, that can actually affect
your glucose level as well. Exercise exercise is something that
can actually there are certain forms of cardiovascular exercise that
can actually lower your glucose level. And there's some high
(16:45):
intensity activities and weightlifting exerras that can actually raise your
sugars as well, which is interesting from that other person, like.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Hit their high intensity interval training exactly folks.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Actually that's something I actually try to do because I
don't have much time. I usually try to do all
my exercises within a thirty forty minute window, and I
try not to take money breaks, but that can actually
sometimes increase your sugars.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Interestingly enough, Yeah, sidebar, I think there's a lot of
fitness places here in West El Paso where I'm recently moved.
There's almost four gyms in the same plaza offering high
intensity interval training, cycling boxing. So it's definitely a bio
hack that America knows and you can see it and
(17:32):
all the different gyms that are opening around here in
West Texas.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Absolutely. Now here's another thing. You mentioned this when we
were talking about this show. If you regularly skip breakfast,
which is something that I sometimes am frequently guilty of,
that can you know, then your glucose levels can raise
rise a lot more after lunch or dinner. So you
(17:57):
might falsely think, you know what, you have a very
low sugar, but they can all a sudden jump after
another meal. So another thing is stress. You know, sometimes
just a rough day at the office can actually contentious
argument something like that can increase your blood sugar levels also,
So there's lots of different things that can have a
(18:18):
major influence on your sugar level besides just eating. So
I think that's something that's very important to know. So
we're going to take a another break. You're on the Hackers,
think I want to really delve into this new thing
that you are offering at your center which goes into
a little bit which is not out over the counter.
(18:39):
So I'm going to take a break your own, Hackers.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
You're listening to the Medical Hackers with doctor Sande Brow,
board certified vascular interventionalist bringing you insights on treatments for
common medical problems on news radio six ninety KTSM. For
more information on the issues being discussed, or to contact
doctor Ow call nine one five five hundred four to
three seven zero or by emailing Rao at medical hackers
(19:05):
dot com.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Back here on the Hackers, I'm here with doctor upbra Khon.
He is a neprologist who we've been discussing continuous glucose monitoring. Yes,
now your office is on.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
The east side, Yes IVC working with doctor gergis what
a wonderful what a wonderful physician.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Right on Pelicano and there's this very new technology that
you're going to be unveiling, which I hadn't wasn't even
aware of it, because all of those folks who talk
about continues glucose monitoring are doing it the vast majority.
And the normal cost of continued glucose mondering.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
So expensive, Oh my goodness.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Counter it can cost you know, thousands zero, right, it's
about on the cheap end up seeing probably one hundred
bucks a month if you break it down, I.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Think it's more doctor raw because so this is one
of the negative aspects of the current technology is you
have to switch out a CGM every two weeks. Insurance
does cover this if you're lucky to have insurance, while
I'm sad saying that, but when it's covered by insurance,
it's still pricey. It's around three to four hundred bucks
(20:17):
every two weeks, and obviously there's varying prices depending on
your insurance and all that. But every two weeks you
have to switch out this subcutaneous CGM monitor and it's
a hass while patients don't like it.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
So tell me what is the new solution that you
hope to bring.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
I'm fortunate enough to work at ivascular Clinic with doctor
Gergis and We have teamed up with a company called
ever Since, which is bringing a new technology for the
CGM world, which is an implantable CGM monitor that is
last that will last an entire year. Can you believe
(20:56):
that a whole year for an implantable CGM monitor. You
still need to wear this one by one inch device
on top of your arm, but it's easily taken off
when you take a shower, you can put it right
back on. It's still transmitted, so you still need the
device over your arm.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
But what the hack.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Is is that we take this in office procedure that
we go in between and your arn't the side of
your arm, your biceps and triceps, and we go we
plant this little pill like device, literally a pill size
under your skin, which then you would place the sticky
one by one device right on after. And this is
(21:37):
the hack. No need for changing it out every two weeks.
You have it on for the whole year. It's revolutionary.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
How big an incision are we talking about here?
Speaker 3 (21:49):
We're talking about giving you some local light, a cane
like a dentist.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
You're going to go get a shot.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Still kind of painful, but a little local numbing medicine
and it goes right under in the office. You leave
after five ten minutes. It's a simple procedure. And you know,
thanks to ever since for you know, linking up with
us and offering us, you know, the opportunity to give
to the community. And you know, this is something that
(22:19):
is so exciting and I'm so happy we're talking about it.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
So real quick. So I decide to get this device.
Does it work just like every other device? So so
every other device, you put the little patch on and
then it sends that information to your smartphone.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Yeah, it can't take showers with this device. It's it's
a big pain in the butt for patients, you know,
getting it wet or you know, can't go to the pool.
Here in Texas, we love the pool. I've been to
Elmont Swim Club. Wow, that place is amazing. Yeah, and
it's a problem because you have to keep switching it out.
So what this offers this new device is that you
(23:00):
don't have to worry about that. And the actual adhesive
itself is different from what the previous generation and that
that's just the convenience of it. We I'm about to
tell you is the accuracy is almost is way better.
So the other device is the current generation you have
of the counter device. The over the counter device has
(23:23):
around a fifteen to twenty you know vari units variation
which let's say you have a seventy glucose. You know,
it reads seventy miligrams per deesco leader it can go
down you know rough you know pluster minus down to
fifty five, which is something called like hypoglycemia, unawareness. There's
a lot of terms here, my endochronology. You know, diabetic
(23:44):
doctors know about. But this it's dangerous. So what this
new device by ever since the year long CGM will
offer is accuracy up to seven units, which is unheard of.
It's it's so the technology is different in that the
the actual pill like device under the skin uses a
different kind of ion and it senses the glucose differently
(24:08):
than the other monitors.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
So it's it's a new tech.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
So it sounds like also you might have to get
it changed, right every every year.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Every year you do change it.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
But you do have a little you you plug it
in with the USB to charge it.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
To charge, you have to charge the device.
Speaker 3 (24:25):
It takes around ten minutes to charge, but it's super fast,
so by the time you take a shower and when
you come out, it'll lasts you know, for however long days.
So it does you do have to charge it. It's
still you know, has a little thing.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
So how do you how do you charge this device?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
I know? So it's a you do you plug in?
Speaker 1 (24:41):
So? So are you plugged into the hall?
Speaker 3 (24:43):
I'm like you when I when they came to me
and talked about this this device, I was like my
jaw was on the floor. It's it's like plugging in
your iPhone.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
You literally just plug it in while you take a shower,
and this adhesive device that the monitor goes on your arm.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
So you're so you yourself are not plugged. It's not
like no, but I so you take this little adhesive.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Component that has the little device.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
It's like it's like smart.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
It's like basically like the little fabrize DIVI the car
fresheners in the car fabrieze.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
It's like literally that size or less.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Part and so then that part then you can attach that.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Yeah, then you stick it onto your arm with this
adhesive that they give you, which is which this is.
Patients say the adhesive part is like the most annoying
part about the CGM. Taking it off, taking it on,
it looks weird.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
It leaves a mark. You know.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Some people even have allergies to like adhesives, but this
one is it's like a new type of adhesive. You
put it on the arm and you plug it in
when you take a shower, because you can't get it
wet obviously, so you would take it off when you're
in the shower, plug it in by the sink. It
takes ten minutes max. Ten to twelve minutes to charge,
and then you would just put it right back on
and it would continue doing what it does.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Do you have to charge this daily or is this
something you have to charge?
Speaker 2 (25:56):
I believe it's every.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Like few like every few days, because yeah, the whole
the device sends it to your app and your phone,
so I guess this. Yes, yeah, it's a few days
from what I remember.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
And compared to other technologies. Is this something because it's
so new? Is this covered by it is?
Speaker 3 (26:19):
Yes, it is covered by most insurances, which is also
another plus. And if it's not covered, they have a
patient assistance program. I'm not sure the exact costs, but
it is covered. They are really taking care of people
and thinking about the convenience, and you know they have
all these assistant programs and I'm sure of it that
(26:41):
you most people will likely be able to obtain.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
This, all right, So I guess one question to have
in general, if you are a diabetic and you are
monitoring your shoulders, is the main goal here? Once you
notice a significant drop, let's say that you go to hypoglessima,
then you should start art drinking some OJ drinking, right,
(27:04):
Oh yeah, that's the main goal. Yeah, but most diabetics
know this, right, Like you're gonna feel So if you
are diabetic, I'm sure you've seen this picture of all
these smiley faces, and the smiley faces have you know,
like if you're sweating or upset or moody, so like
if you have low blood sugar, you're gonna know, like
this is not something you have to like look up.
So you know, hopefully you know, all you diabetics out
(27:27):
there know to have your your cup of OJ just
you know, sitting around if you get that way. But
hopefully it doesn't go like that. All right. So we're
gonna kind of conclude this show because we are running
up here to the end. So I want to kind
of do a new a new idea that that doctor
Connycy brought up for me, which is kind of summarize
the show with three little hacks. So the first hack is,
(27:49):
I think monitoring your blood sugar in general, I think
it's worthwhile. Even if you don't do continuous glucose monitoring,
it's good to get your blood sugar tested. It's I
get it pretty much every year, but really you should.
It's recommended at least every three years or so.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
Sure.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
The second hack is that you need to get good
sleep and be well hydrated because those two things can
really affect your sugars.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
Yeah, I also sometimes tell patients, hey, sometimes you should
your pea should look kind of clear, right, you should
drink enough to where you're not your pea looks clear,
sounds kind of you know, like that, but you know.
And then I would say the final hack, shout out
to Amber, our producer here, is don't drink your calories, okay,
(28:38):
try and save that for food and meals. Sodas. You know,
Coca Cola has like forty grams of sugar. That's ridiculous,
So stay away from sodas. It's very easy for us
to tell you this on the radio waves. Don't do this,
don't do that, but just know drinking sodas are so bad.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
That was great, unfortunate time. The Saturday is up. If
you're interested in any more information on any of the
you mentioned vendimally invasive treatments, you can always call to
get more information at nine one five five hundred forty
three seventy that's five zero zero four three seven zero.
You can also reach me by email at rawat medicalhackers
dot com. I like to thank doctor con for joining
us today.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
I hope these healthcare hacks have helped you navigate our
complex medical system. If you've been tuned into us this
whole time, bless your heart and your health. I'm doctor
Sandy Brow, and you've been listening to the Medical Hackers
HABA good Saturday
Good afternoon. It's another weekend here in the heart of
the dusty schwall in desert in West Texas. You're listening
to the Medical Hackers. However you may be tuned in
this week and I'm your host, doctor san deep Row.
I'm here to bring the board land the latest information
in healthcare, medicine and technology on the show. I consider
myself a hacker, a hacker of the politicians, so a
(00:25):
hacker using my intimate knowledge of the medical system to
breaking down some of the barriers to accessing new medical
technologies and current healthcare information. So I have doctor ukber
Khn here.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Yeah, great to have you. I've had you in a
few times because I think you bring a lot of
cool new ideas, new topics to the show. You are
by training a nephrologist who deals with the kidneys. That's
a kidney doctor, but part of his trainings off he
is also includes high blood pressure. So it's renal diseases
and hypertension. But one of the topics that you raised
(01:05):
and I thought it was an amazing topic once you
told me about it, I was like, wow, that we
should absolutely do a show about this is continuous glucose monitoring.
I think it's really important because Elpaso, really, this borderland
region is really one of the epicenters of folks who
have pre diabetes. So I think this fits in perfectly. Well.
(01:26):
I'm sure there's a ton of folks out there who
have continuous glucose monitoring or CGM if we go back
and forth between that's what we're talking about CGM, and
I think it's something that I know folks who need it,
who have it, but I also know folks who probably
have no need for it, who are also considering. And
(01:47):
we're going to get into that because I know there
are some folks out there who are considered so called biohackers.
You know, there's an entire community out and I've heard
it discussed out in Silicon Valley, folks who are considered biohackers,
folks who are trying to look for the next great
thing anti aging exactly. And so I think that's where
it could also potentially fit in because there's a lot
(02:07):
of healthy people. Even our producer here, Amber, who's a
very healthy person who does a lot of very fit,
very fit She's she's training for lots of amazing events,
and she is also interested in CGM continuous glucose monitoring,
So real quick, just tell us, you know, real quick,
(02:27):
what that is. What does that entail?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Sure, shout out to my endo chronology colleagues. A CGM
continuous glucose monitors kind of like a fitbit for your
blood sugar, tracking it every few minutes, sending the results
straight to your phone. How it works is you place
a little implantable device underneath your skin. Oh excuse me, no,
(02:50):
that's something we're going to tease a little bit later.
A CGM monitor is a subcutaneous device that you attach,
usually on the back of your arm, and put a
little sticky uh a sticker on it, and you plug
this little one by one inch device that tracks your
glucose continuously.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
And it's proven to be.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
A miracle for diabet but for diabetics, especially type one diabetics,
but also now type two diabetics, and it's just a
game changer. It's it's it allows physicians and patients to
track their sugars prevent death. It's it's some new age
technology which is incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Sure, So basically, as you said, it's you know, it's
maybe the size of maybe two tact quarters, is what
I've heard people describe it as it can be on
the upper arm, maybe in the stomach. But what's interesting
is that in the olden days or traditionally, when you're
measuring your glucose, they still do. Yes, we do, We did.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
We still make many that millions of patients still do.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Exactly we measure your glucose when you're getting your blood
tests and you get it from the bloodstream. But what
made this interesting is that it's a tiny little filament,
tiny little needle, sort of micro needle, micro needle that
measures glucose, not from directly from your bloodstream, but in
that what we call the interstitial space, the fluid right
(04:17):
underneath your skin. So it's not as is it as precise?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Oh good question. So what you're referring to. People do
do fingersticks three to four times a day, and usually
when people who take insulin or after meals, they'd have
to prick their fingertips. You know, it's actually nasty, it hurts.
You know, people become numb to it. But it's actually
very painful because you have to prick your finger, put
(04:44):
it on this little these little glucose strips, and it
tells you your sugar levels.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The what was the question? I'm sorry, wow, I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
I forgot the question is there's traditional ways to measure
your glucose the bloodstream.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Sure, but I.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Personally feel and I don't know what the oh, how
accurate it was?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Excuse me? I got it? Yees.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
So just in that subcontangees that that's interstitial space.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Just yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
So there is a variation in the how accurate it is.
So once these numbers are sent to your phone through
the device, there is a up to twenty perc like
up to eighteen units difference. That can be very that's variable, right,
(05:31):
which can kind of be scary because if you, let's
say you have a very low blood sugar less than
seventy if it's plus or minus eighteen, that could throw
you into a dangerously low hypoglycemic state low blood sugar
where you could potentially you know, pass out and you know,
have these shakes and shivers and you're sweating, you know,
(05:53):
go to the hospital type situation. So this is the
variation that it shows. But what we and our medical
have are going to speak about shortly, the new device
is up to seven units of variation only, so it's
even more precise.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
That's great to know because in the bottom line is
as you eat, as you take ingest carbohydrates or sugars,
that rises or falls in your bloodstream. That's something very
important for folks to know. That's what we're trying to do.
We're trying to measure your body's response to what you're eating.
And so when you think about it, you know your
(06:29):
normal healthy fasting blood glucose without diabies. So someone like myself,
it should be anywhere between seventy to ninety nine milligrams
per desolator. Okay, Now, if you're pre diabetic, that number
can jump up to about one hundred to one hundred
and twenty six milligrams per desolator. Now if you're above
(06:50):
one twenty six again, if you're fasting. So right now,
I am in a fasting state. I just came in
this morning. I have not eaten at all, coffee, nothing, okay,
taking nothing, I am I'm just going off what I
ate last night. So this is a fasting blood glucose level.
So I should be between seventy nine nine hopefully, But
(07:12):
if if you had measured me and I was above
one twenty six, then that would indicate that I am
a diabetic or at least time you have to get
multiple measurements, not just one single measurement, but.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
We would say it's high, right you.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Uh, one twenty six is this threshold number that we
go to. You know, fasting usually is around eight hours.
What we tell patients in the clinic, you know, don't
eat after twelve or don't you eat before twelve, and
then usually go first thing in the morning to get
your fasting blood glucose. Obviously there's some variation, but one
twenty six is that shiny number that we have in
the guidelines.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Sure, so within an hour of a meal or within
an hour of eating anything, your blood crickkers can actually spike,
which which happens all the time. Last week you brought.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Us some donuts, pistachio donuts.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Exactly, and it's not on you usual for your blood sugar,
even in someone who has normal who's not diabetic, for
to climb above one twenty six, So it can climb
to almost you know, one forty milligrams or more potentially,
but it should eventually fall back down to baseline levels
within two to three hours. So it's important to know
(08:19):
that you know, these these sugar monitors just as I
was kind of going through this, it's actually been available
since actually since the late nineteen nineties. It's not some
it is a there are some newer applications of it,
but really the entire concept has been out there since
since the nineties. But really, what's really caused it to
(08:41):
the interest to spike, so to speak, since we were
talking about sugar spiking. What's caused it to spike is
the fact that the United States FDA, the Food Drug Administration,
approved the first over the counter monitors really within the
last year or so. And so that's what makes it
interesting because now it's not just people who are diabetic
(09:02):
who might want it, but there's also folks who are
in this entire new.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Realm metabolic health, as we say.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Who are interested in just doing health monitoring. Everybody's out
there is trying to get ways to kind of see
how your body's functioning. We have these fitbits, we have
sleeping right obviously, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
There's so many.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
So we're going to take a break here on the
hackers because I want to kind of get into that
a little bit, because actually it's very important to know
the vast majority of people who are using continuous glucose
monitoring who are using CGM don't have a diagnosis of diabetes.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
That's weird and I want to kind.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Of get into that. Why would you want to do
it if you are not a diabetic.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
You're listening to the Medical Hackers with doctor Sande brow
Board certified vascular interventionalist, bringing you insights on treatments for
common medical problems on news radio six ninety KTSM. For
more information on the issues discussed, or to contact doctor Raw,
call nine one five five hundred four three seven zero
(10:06):
or by emailing Rao at medical hackers dot com.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Back your own the Hackers. I'm doctor Rout here. I'm
here with doctor Khan with the Ivascular Center and he's
a nephrologist and he's when we're discussing continues glucose monitoring,
and really the indications are ideally for prediabetics or diabetics.
(10:33):
It's a very minimally invasive technology. You just kind of
slap on your skin, possibly like a nicotine patch or
something like that.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
And it's like SubQ there's a little micro needles I
got to go in.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
So I mean exactly, so it's problem, but it shouldn't
as you're going through a day, it shouldn't really bother
you with continuous pain or anything.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
No, no, no, not at all.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
I think the real issue or you know, problem with
is taking showers, taking off the little stick, the adhesive,
these sort of things is what bothers people, or at
least what i've what I've heard.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
So what's interesting is that for folks who listen to
a lot of healthcare podcasts or shows or YouTube channels,
there's a lot of interest being gained in the area
of using continuous glucose monitoring for healthy folks, that is,
folks who are not diabetic, not even in the range
of being a pre diabetic, but they're thinking about trying
(11:28):
to really optimize their meals. And so I'll first want
to get into that a little bit because it's always
nice to have more information in general. But some people
say that it might be a little bit of a waste,
and I kind of want to get into this. There
are three little studies I found here. So one study
(11:48):
was they looked at about one hundred and fifty three
people who didn't have diabetes, and they found they were
doing diabetic monitoring. They found ninety six percent of the
time their blood sugar levels were pretty much normal. So
if you're doing continuous glucose monitoring and you are not
a diabetic, the idea that it would just somehow be
abnormal and you'd find diabetes is very very rare, So
(12:13):
if you're doing it for that reason may not be worthwhile.
There's another small study. They looked at sedentary individuals as
folks are just basically couch potatoes that's a fancy word
for couch potatoes without diabetes, who are who were overwheat, overweight,
or obese. And they looked at those folks and they
found that they used a CGM device and a tracker
(12:35):
for ten days, and they found that, interestingly, these folks
actually felt more motivated to do exercise. So it's kind
of interesting that what it does, though, I think these
little devices is at least it gives you a little
bit more attention to your health. Because you have this
device on, you have this new information. It may not
(12:58):
necessarily change you're underlying sugars, but by having this monitor
looking at you, maybe you are going to change your activity.
Now here's where I want to get into it a
little bit more. Some folks like to see what is
the impact of the odd donut or cupcake on their diet.
(13:21):
And I think that's another area in which I think
I could potentially benefit. So me personally, sometimes I can
get tempted all of a sudden, I might want to
you just indulge in a sweet treat here and there.
And I think if I were to wear a CGM,
a continuous glucose monitor, all of a sudden, it's almost
like shining a light on that little bad habit.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Right, Okay, I see that, and I think it's a
cool hack, But I think it does more harm than good,
Doctor Row, And I'll tell you why. There are a
lot of false alarms that people are going to be
very scared. And if you're not in the medical field
and you are seeing your sugars go up and down,
it's a natural body thing.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
We go up and down.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
It's part of what we do, how we've evolutionized over
you know, thousands of years. So I think, you know,
we should hack response medically, hack responsibly. The idea is great,
we should know how we react to different foods and
drinks and fluids. But you know, I think it does
more harm than good for people who are not needing
(14:26):
to really track it like these diabetic patients.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Sure, it's my opinion, no, for sure. Now, one thing
I do want I do not want to necessarily delve
into because I think it's probably out of my depth,
is I do know there are a lot of folks
who are in the athletes who are in the area
of trying to get peak performance with peak mental performance,
peak physical performance. Sure, and I've heard folks talk about
(14:50):
being able to really monitor your sugars over the course
of if you're an athlete training for an event or
just in general training, they eat certain food, they try
to see how that food has an impact on their sugars,
and they're trying to really optimize their diets. So that's
really outside my I'm not in the that space.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Yeah, but yeah, reminds me of like Tour de France cycling.
These guys really do optimize their health with training. And
you know, but I agree, I think it's there's a
there's a need for it in that world. But these
are super athletes that are you know, high octane you
know athletes training, so that that's a different world.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
I wouldn't know much about that.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Sure, So let's let's kind of just go back to
the basic level of the vast majority folks who actually
would benefit from tracking glucose. Sure not those of us
who are biohackers biohacker types are trying to get to
that level. But let's just think about it. So there's
multiple factors that can actually affect your glucose level, right,
(15:58):
So sort of things lack of sleep. If you're not
getting good sleep, your body can actually use insulin less effectively,
So that's just something good to know. Coffee coffee drinkers
may not know that their blood sugars are sometimes sensitive
to caffeine, so that's something just to be aware of,
and that's something that maybe having continuous glucose monitoring might
(16:21):
actually be helpful for. Another thing is dehydration, So if
you are not drinking enough water, that can actually affect
your glucose level as well. Exercise exercise is something that
can actually there are certain forms of cardiovascular exercise that
can actually lower your glucose level. And there's some high
(16:45):
intensity activities and weightlifting exerras that can actually raise your
sugars as well, which is interesting from that other person, like.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Hit their high intensity interval training exactly folks.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Actually that's something I actually try to do because I
don't have much time. I usually try to do all
my exercises within a thirty forty minute window, and I
try not to take money breaks, but that can actually
sometimes increase your sugars.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Interestingly enough, Yeah, sidebar, I think there's a lot of
fitness places here in West El Paso where I'm recently moved.
There's almost four gyms in the same plaza offering high
intensity interval training, cycling boxing. So it's definitely a bio
hack that America knows and you can see it and
(17:32):
all the different gyms that are opening around here in
West Texas.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Absolutely. Now here's another thing. You mentioned this when we
were talking about this show. If you regularly skip breakfast,
which is something that I sometimes am frequently guilty of,
that can you know, then your glucose levels can raise
rise a lot more after lunch or dinner. So you
(17:57):
might falsely think, you know what, you have a very
low sugar, but they can all a sudden jump after
another meal. So another thing is stress. You know, sometimes
just a rough day at the office can actually contentious
argument something like that can increase your blood sugar levels also,
So there's lots of different things that can have a
(18:18):
major influence on your sugar level besides just eating. So
I think that's something that's very important to know. So
we're going to take a another break. You're on the Hackers,
think I want to really delve into this new thing
that you are offering at your center which goes into
a little bit which is not out over the counter.
(18:39):
So I'm going to take a break your own, Hackers.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
You're listening to the Medical Hackers with doctor Sande Brow,
board certified vascular interventionalist bringing you insights on treatments for
common medical problems on news radio six ninety KTSM. For
more information on the issues being discussed, or to contact
doctor Ow call nine one five five hundred four to
three seven zero or by emailing Rao at medical hackers
(19:05):
dot com.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Back here on the Hackers, I'm here with doctor upbra Khon.
He is a neprologist who we've been discussing continuous glucose monitoring. Yes,
now your office is on.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
The east side, Yes IVC working with doctor gergis what
a wonderful what a wonderful physician.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Right on Pelicano and there's this very new technology that
you're going to be unveiling, which I hadn't wasn't even
aware of it, because all of those folks who talk
about continues glucose monitoring are doing it the vast majority.
And the normal cost of continued glucose mondering.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
So expensive, Oh my goodness.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Counter it can cost you know, thousands zero, right, it's
about on the cheap end up seeing probably one hundred
bucks a month if you break it down, I.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Think it's more doctor raw because so this is one
of the negative aspects of the current technology is you
have to switch out a CGM every two weeks. Insurance
does cover this if you're lucky to have insurance, while
I'm sad saying that, but when it's covered by insurance,
it's still pricey. It's around three to four hundred bucks
(20:17):
every two weeks, and obviously there's varying prices depending on
your insurance and all that. But every two weeks you
have to switch out this subcutaneous CGM monitor and it's
a hass while patients don't like it.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
So tell me what is the new solution that you
hope to bring.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
I'm fortunate enough to work at ivascular Clinic with doctor
Gergis and We have teamed up with a company called
ever Since, which is bringing a new technology for the
CGM world, which is an implantable CGM monitor that is
last that will last an entire year. Can you believe
(20:56):
that a whole year for an implantable CGM monitor. You
still need to wear this one by one inch device
on top of your arm, but it's easily taken off
when you take a shower, you can put it right
back on. It's still transmitted, so you still need the
device over your arm.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
But what the hack.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Is is that we take this in office procedure that
we go in between and your arn't the side of
your arm, your biceps and triceps, and we go we
plant this little pill like device, literally a pill size
under your skin, which then you would place the sticky
one by one device right on after. And this is
(21:37):
the hack. No need for changing it out every two weeks.
You have it on for the whole year. It's revolutionary.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
How big an incision are we talking about here?
Speaker 3 (21:49):
We're talking about giving you some local light, a cane
like a dentist.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
You're going to go get a shot.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Still kind of painful, but a little local numbing medicine
and it goes right under in the office. You leave
after five ten minutes. It's a simple procedure. And you know,
thanks to ever since for you know, linking up with
us and offering us, you know, the opportunity to give
to the community. And you know, this is something that
(22:19):
is so exciting and I'm so happy we're talking about it.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
So real quick. So I decide to get this device.
Does it work just like every other device? So so
every other device, you put the little patch on and
then it sends that information to your smartphone.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Yeah, it can't take showers with this device. It's it's
a big pain in the butt for patients, you know,
getting it wet or you know, can't go to the pool.
Here in Texas, we love the pool. I've been to
Elmont Swim Club. Wow, that place is amazing. Yeah, and
it's a problem because you have to keep switching it out.
So what this offers this new device is that you
(23:00):
don't have to worry about that. And the actual adhesive
itself is different from what the previous generation and that
that's just the convenience of it. We I'm about to
tell you is the accuracy is almost is way better.
So the other device is the current generation you have
of the counter device. The over the counter device has
(23:23):
around a fifteen to twenty you know vari units variation
which let's say you have a seventy glucose. You know,
it reads seventy miligrams per deesco leader it can go
down you know rough you know pluster minus down to
fifty five, which is something called like hypoglycemia, unawareness. There's
a lot of terms here, my endochronology. You know, diabetic
(23:44):
doctors know about. But this it's dangerous. So what this
new device by ever since the year long CGM will
offer is accuracy up to seven units, which is unheard of.
It's it's so the technology is different in that the
the actual pill like device under the skin uses a
different kind of ion and it senses the glucose differently
(24:08):
than the other monitors.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
So it's it's a new tech.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
So it sounds like also you might have to get
it changed, right every every year.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Every year you do change it.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
But you do have a little you you plug it
in with the USB to charge it.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
To charge, you have to charge the device.
Speaker 3 (24:25):
It takes around ten minutes to charge, but it's super fast,
so by the time you take a shower and when
you come out, it'll lasts you know, for however long days.
So it does you do have to charge it. It's
still you know, has a little thing.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
So how do you how do you charge this device?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
I know? So it's a you do you plug in?
Speaker 1 (24:41):
So? So are you plugged into the hall?
Speaker 3 (24:43):
I'm like you when I when they came to me
and talked about this this device, I was like my
jaw was on the floor. It's it's like plugging in
your iPhone.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
You literally just plug it in while you take a shower,
and this adhesive device that the monitor goes on your arm.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
So you're so you yourself are not plugged. It's not
like no, but I so you take this little adhesive.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Component that has the little device.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
It's like it's like smart.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
It's like basically like the little fabrize DIVI the car
fresheners in the car fabrieze.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
It's like literally that size or less.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Part and so then that part then you can attach that.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Yeah, then you stick it onto your arm with this
adhesive that they give you, which is which this is.
Patients say the adhesive part is like the most annoying
part about the CGM. Taking it off, taking it on,
it looks weird.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
It leaves a mark. You know.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Some people even have allergies to like adhesives, but this
one is it's like a new type of adhesive. You
put it on the arm and you plug it in
when you take a shower, because you can't get it
wet obviously, so you would take it off when you're
in the shower, plug it in by the sink. It
takes ten minutes max. Ten to twelve minutes to charge,
and then you would just put it right back on
and it would continue doing what it does.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Do you have to charge this daily or is this
something you have to charge?
Speaker 2 (25:56):
I believe it's every.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Like few like every few days, because yeah, the whole
the device sends it to your app and your phone,
so I guess this. Yes, yeah, it's a few days
from what I remember.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
And compared to other technologies. Is this something because it's
so new? Is this covered by it is?
Speaker 3 (26:19):
Yes, it is covered by most insurances, which is also
another plus. And if it's not covered, they have a
patient assistance program. I'm not sure the exact costs, but
it is covered. They are really taking care of people
and thinking about the convenience, and you know they have
all these assistant programs and I'm sure of it that
(26:41):
you most people will likely be able to obtain.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
This, all right, So I guess one question to have
in general, if you are a diabetic and you are
monitoring your shoulders, is the main goal here? Once you
notice a significant drop, let's say that you go to hypoglessima,
then you should start art drinking some OJ drinking, right,
(27:04):
Oh yeah, that's the main goal. Yeah, but most diabetics
know this, right, Like you're gonna feel So if you
are diabetic, I'm sure you've seen this picture of all
these smiley faces, and the smiley faces have you know,
like if you're sweating or upset or moody, so like
if you have low blood sugar, you're gonna know, like
this is not something you have to like look up.
So you know, hopefully you know, all you diabetics out
(27:27):
there know to have your your cup of OJ just
you know, sitting around if you get that way. But
hopefully it doesn't go like that. All right. So we're
gonna kind of conclude this show because we are running
up here to the end. So I want to kind
of do a new a new idea that that doctor
Connycy brought up for me, which is kind of summarize
the show with three little hacks. So the first hack is,
(27:49):
I think monitoring your blood sugar in general, I think
it's worthwhile. Even if you don't do continuous glucose monitoring,
it's good to get your blood sugar tested. It's I
get it pretty much every year, but really you should.
It's recommended at least every three years or so.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
Sure.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
The second hack is that you need to get good
sleep and be well hydrated because those two things can
really affect your sugars.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
Yeah, I also sometimes tell patients, hey, sometimes you should
your pea should look kind of clear, right, you should
drink enough to where you're not your pea looks clear,
sounds kind of you know, like that, but you know.
And then I would say the final hack, shout out
to Amber, our producer here, is don't drink your calories, okay,
(28:38):
try and save that for food and meals. Sodas. You know,
Coca Cola has like forty grams of sugar. That's ridiculous,
So stay away from sodas. It's very easy for us
to tell you this on the radio waves. Don't do this,
don't do that, but just know drinking sodas are so bad.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
That was great, unfortunate time. The Saturday is up. If
you're interested in any more information on any of the
you mentioned vendimally invasive treatments, you can always call to
get more information at nine one five five hundred forty
three seventy that's five zero zero four three seven zero.
You can also reach me by email at rawat medicalhackers
dot com. I like to thank doctor con for joining
us today.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
I hope these healthcare hacks have helped you navigate our
complex medical system. If you've been tuned into us this
whole time, bless your heart and your health. I'm doctor
Sandy Brow, and you've been listening to the Medical Hackers
HABA good Saturday
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