Diabetes: Using a Blood Glucose Monitor
Author: tiger Published Under: Health
Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body uses and processes sugar. This sugar, which is called glucose, in healthy bodies is broken down by insulin and turned into energy. Insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas, is either not produced in adequate supply or is not used properly, depending on the type of diabetes the individual has. As a result, the blood sugar level of a diabetic individual can become very high or very low, which results in a number of complications and health problems.
For both those with Type I Diabetes and Type II diabetes, careful monitoring of the blood sugar level is required. If the blood sugar level is too low or too high, action is required.
To monitor blood sugar level, a digital meter is used. There are a number of different types available, but most check a drop of blood to determine the blood sugar level. Many preform a quick prick of the finger and allow the blood to drip onto a small test strip. The meter itself is reusable, but many test strips will be required.
In most cases, a persons blood sugar will need to be monitored at least once a day, but this can vary.
Using a Blood Glucose Monitor
There are Three Basic Steps To use a standard blood glucose monitor:
- First, wash and dry your hands. After your hands are clean, use the spring loaded pricking device to get a drop of blood.
- Place a drop of blood on the diabetic test strip.
- Insert the test strip into your digital meter, which will provide you with an instant reading of your blood glucose level.
Some diabetic blood sugar monitors are completely self contained, in that the pricking, applying of the blood to the test strip, and analyzing of the blood sugar level, can be done in a single step. Others include a separate pricking device. There are also blood sugar monitors that allow you to obtain blood from other sites on the body, as opposed to only on the finger.