Diabetes Insulin PumpDiabetes Insulin Pump
I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. Today I shall write on how you can look after your diabetes and continue to lead a healthy, normal and fruitful life.
Looking after your diabetes
The secret to continued good health and fruitful life despite diabetes lies in regular testing of your blood glucose, not missing any prescribed glucose tablets or insulin dosage and a healthy lifestyle. Today I will concentrate on how you can monitor your blood glucose.
Monitoring your blood glucose levels (Glucose testing strips)
The key to keeping your blood glucose levels or (sugar levels as it is commonly known), under control is to keep your sugar level within the recommended range of 4 to 7 millimoles per liter. Only regular monitoring with diabetic strips can help you achieve this.
Measuring your own blood glucose levels is quite easy if you have a good quality branded digital blood glucose monitors. If you don't have one the neighborhood chemist or any online website specializing in diabetes monitoring tools can help you.
When it comes to glucose monitors, accuracy is the key, so do not buy cheap Chinese glucose monitors. Our own branded blood glucose test meter (glucometers) is highly accurate and usually cost between $50 and $75. In addition to the glucometer, you will also need a box of test strips ($40~$60) and a pack of Lancets ($15~$25). The diabetic test strip and lancets are to be replenished as and when required. Replace the battery in the Glucometer as and when required. If the blood sugar meters does not have a battery level indicator you should replace the battery in the glucometer every six months or so. A weak battery can induce faulty results.
Tip: Buy a blood glucose test strips that has a large digital readout, adequate memory and battery indicator.
When and how often you use the blood sugar monitors depends on your treatment, the food you consume and level of physical activity. Apart from regular testing at home, you should also do an HbA1c test every six months. This test is done at your local diabetes clinic and the result gives you an overall picture of your blood glucose levels. HbA1c test results should be as close to 7% (or below). Even a tiny fraction above 7% should be brought to the attention of your doctor.
You can keep your blood glucose under control by:
1) Eating regular small healthy diabetic diet meals so as to avoid major fluctuations in your blood glucose levels.
2) Including adequate levels of physical activity so the insulin in your body works more effectively.
3) Reducing any excess body fat by regular checkup with body fat monitor. (Include half yearly body fat analysis in your health plan/ schedule).
4) Take your diabetes (and any other prescribed) tablets and diabetes supplements according to the schedule given to you.
5) Monitor your blood glucose levels and learn to adjust your treatment according to the results.
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including incontinence diapers; supplements for diabetes, portion control plates, glucose tablets, blood glucose monitors, durable diabetes medical equipment, blood glucose test meter and automatic blood pressure monitor and many other home health care products and supplies. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Diagnostic tests to confirm (or deny) presence of diabetes
Wrist blood pressure monitorWrist blood pressure monitor
I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. Today I will write on diagnostic tests you can take to confirm (or deny) presence of diabetes.
Diagnostic tests to confirm (or deny) presence of diabetes
The most common tests are the urine and finger prick test. However, to be doubly sure, you need to conduct at least two or three lab tests including random or fasting blood glucose test meter and oral glucose tolerance tests. If test results are positive, it is a good idea to redo the tests on another randomly selected day.
Finger prick test. A finger is pricked with a sterilized device and a tiny drop of blood is collected and placed on a accu-chek active test strips. The strip is inserted into a digital diabetic test strip and an instant readout is obtained. This test takes less than a minute.
Urine test A chemical coated dipstick is dipped into a ‘sample bottle' that contains a sample of your urine. The dipstick instantly changes color in proportion to the level of glucose in the urine. This test too takes less than a minute.
Random blood glucose test A diabetic syringes is used to collect a small sample of your blood which is then analyzed in a lab. The results are often delivered the following day.
Oral glucose tolerance test You are requested not to eat or drink anything in the morning. A small blood sample is taken and sent for analysis to a laboratory. You are again requested to visit the clinic one hour after having lunch and fresh sample of blood is collected for analysis. The two pre and post results indicate your glucose tolerance level. A low tolerance level could indicate that you either have Type 2 diabetes or are on the verge of developing it.
Fasting Blood Sugar Testing Your last drink and meal should be at least 8 hours prior to taking this test. An insulin syringes is used to collect a tiny blood sample which is sent to the lab for analysis. The test results are usually received the same evening or following morning.
If all the above test results are returned positive for presence of excessive glucose, I recommend you redo the test the following week preferably at a different clinic. If the second test set too returns similar results than you can be sure you do have diabetes. Typically, glucose above 6 millimoles / liter of blood is not normal and you should consult your doctor immediately.
If diabetes is confirmed, it would be a good idea to also run a checkup on your body fat percentage through body fat monitor, blood pressure by automatic blood pressure monitor, kidneys, liver and thyroid. Additionally you should undergo a foot examination (for circulation and nerve supply) and eye examination (check for any damage due to glucose buildup).
This article concludes information I had to impart on the pre-diabetic stage. My next article shall deal with post-confirmation stage i.e. monitoring your blood glucose levels by blood glucose monitors at home and how to take care of your diabetes.
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including adult incontinence product; supplements for diabetes, wrist blood pressure monitor, glucose tablets, blood glucose monitors, durable diabetes medical equipment, Lancing devices and many other home health care products and supplies. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
I'm Deborah Susan, a dietician and personal trainer specializing in nutrition and physical fitness for diabetics. Today I will write on diagnostic tests you can take to confirm (or deny) presence of diabetes.
Diagnostic tests to confirm (or deny) presence of diabetes
The most common tests are the urine and finger prick test. However, to be doubly sure, you need to conduct at least two or three lab tests including random or fasting blood glucose test meter and oral glucose tolerance tests. If test results are positive, it is a good idea to redo the tests on another randomly selected day.
Finger prick test. A finger is pricked with a sterilized device and a tiny drop of blood is collected and placed on a accu-chek active test strips. The strip is inserted into a digital diabetic test strip and an instant readout is obtained. This test takes less than a minute.
Urine test A chemical coated dipstick is dipped into a ‘sample bottle' that contains a sample of your urine. The dipstick instantly changes color in proportion to the level of glucose in the urine. This test too takes less than a minute.
Random blood glucose test A diabetic syringes is used to collect a small sample of your blood which is then analyzed in a lab. The results are often delivered the following day.
Oral glucose tolerance test You are requested not to eat or drink anything in the morning. A small blood sample is taken and sent for analysis to a laboratory. You are again requested to visit the clinic one hour after having lunch and fresh sample of blood is collected for analysis. The two pre and post results indicate your glucose tolerance level. A low tolerance level could indicate that you either have Type 2 diabetes or are on the verge of developing it.
Fasting Blood Sugar Testing Your last drink and meal should be at least 8 hours prior to taking this test. An insulin syringes is used to collect a tiny blood sample which is sent to the lab for analysis. The test results are usually received the same evening or following morning.
If all the above test results are returned positive for presence of excessive glucose, I recommend you redo the test the following week preferably at a different clinic. If the second test set too returns similar results than you can be sure you do have diabetes. Typically, glucose above 6 millimoles / liter of blood is not normal and you should consult your doctor immediately.
If diabetes is confirmed, it would be a good idea to also run a checkup on your body fat percentage through body fat monitor, blood pressure by automatic blood pressure monitor, kidneys, liver and thyroid. Additionally you should undergo a foot examination (for circulation and nerve supply) and eye examination (check for any damage due to glucose buildup).
This article concludes information I had to impart on the pre-diabetic stage. My next article shall deal with post-confirmation stage i.e. monitoring your blood glucose levels by blood glucose monitors at home and how to take care of your diabetes.
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including adult incontinence product; supplements for diabetes, wrist blood pressure monitor, glucose tablets, blood glucose monitors, durable diabetes medical equipment, Lancing devices and many other home health care products and supplies. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
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