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Archive for the ‘Blood Glucose Monitors’ Category

What is
The blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose (most important type of sugar in the body) in a blood sample.

Glucose is the main source of energy in the body. Our bodies break down food into glucose and other nutrients, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. The blood glucose levels rise after eating foods trigger the production of a hormone called “insulin” in the pancreas, which is released into the bloodstream.

Insulin acts like a key that opens the doors to cells and allows the entry of glucose. Without insulin, glucose can not enter cells and remains in the bloodstream. As a result, blood sugar levels are higher than normal.

A high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is a concern because, if untreated, can cause health problems in the short term (thirst, frequent urination and tiredness) and long term (damage to internal organs and nervous). A blood sugar level low is also worrying because it usually causes symptoms such as sweating, tremors and dizziness.

Diabetes is the most common cause of abnormal increase in blood sugar. People with diabetes can not produce or respond to insulin properly. This means they must closely monitor glucose levels and follow the plan that tells the doctor to monitor your condition, which includes diet, medications (such as insulin injections) and physical exercise to keep blood sugar within a normal level.

Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1C and personal monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG in English)
There are two blood tests that can help you manage your diabetes. One such test called glycosylated hemoglobin A1c test, which shows how to control your blood sugar (or glucose) in the last two (2) to three (3) months. Determine your level of A1C every three (3) months is the best way for you and your doctor understand how well controlled are your blood sugar levels. His ideal A1C will be determined by your doctor, but is generally less than 7.0%.

The other test is called personal monitoring of blood glucose or SMBG (in English). Using a blood glucose monitor to do SMBG test can help you to better control their blood sugar levels. The results you get SMBG test can help you make the appropriate adjustments to your medication, diet and physical activity level. Any person who has diabetes should have a blood glucose monitor and know how to use it if you do not have a monitor can go to the lab for a calculation of glucose.

How often should I test my blood sugar?
Your family doctor will recommend how often you should have a blood sugar test. The time of the tests are performed based on the type of medicine you take and how well controlled are your blood sugar levels. At the beginning will probably have to check your blood sugar more often. So check it more often when you feel sick or stressed, when making changes in your medication or are pregnant.

What time of day should I test?
The recommendations about the best time of year to check your blood sugar depends on the drug you take, the timing of meals and blood sugar control. In the table below, your doctor will check on what time you should check your blood sugar. Your doctor may also suggest different goals, depending on your situation.

Should be informed about the level of blood sugar
The test blood sugar with a meter tells you what your blood sugar at that time. When you combine the results of several tests, you can see a pattern of how you are controlling your blood sugar. Health professionals can show you how to do the test. They should help you determine the optimum sugar level and show you how to record the results in his diary. (See “How to keep the daily log” on pages 93-100 of this guide.) If you need a diary, you should ask health professionals. It is important to note the results each time you test the sugar level in blood.

The test blood sugar can help you understand how food and exercise affect blood sugar. The test can help make daily decisions about what to eat, how much exercise to do and how much diabetes medicine may need. You can also indicate when the sugar level is too high or low, to anticipate and prevent these problems. The normal level of blood sugar is between 70 and 140 mg / dl (milligrams per deciliter).

The test for measuring blood sugar control long-term
There is a special blood test should be done at least twice a year. If your treatment for diabetes or if it fails to change levels of glucose acceptable should have this test four times a year. It’s called the glycosylated hemoglobin test or hemoglobin test A1C (HbA1C). This test is to measure the amount of sugar that has stuck to the red blood cells. Health professionals should have this test, but if you do not come together for the next A1C blood test, remind them to make an appointment. When you have this test, get results, so write them down in the record on pages 81-84.

If you are aware of how to eat, drink and your dog’s urine, as well as measure their urine glucose once a day is not necessary that you measure your level of blood sugar using a glucose meter.

The blood glucose monitors are used by people with diabetes, because human beings need to have more control than a pet.

The blood glucose monitoring involves biting the ear or the mouth of the dog with a small needle called a lancet, then apply a drop of blood to a test strip is inserted into the meter. Seconds later, the meter shows a reading of blood glucose.

Some veterinarians believe that these glucose readings at home are very useful, while others believe it is necessary to make such measurements.

If you want to know the values ​​of blood glucose and track, platícalo with your veterinarian. You’ll have to learn new skills, including puncture technique and how to interpret the readings shown on the meter. It will also require the cooperation of the dog.

If you suspect your dog has a low level of glucose, a glucose meter even if you do not waste valuable time doing the measurement, the treatment of hypoglycemia is a priority. After the dog is stabilized, you can measure your blood sugar if desired.

A continuous glucose monitor is a device that measures glucose levels continuously, taking readings every 5 minutes (288 per day) for 24 hours a day. The glucose monitor can help you understand how food, exercise and medication affect blood sugar levels, allowing you to better manage their diabetes. Continuous glucose monitors also include alarms to indicate if glucose levels exceed preset levels or fall below them, as well as trend and predictive alarms.

Monitoring components are: a monitor (a small device the size of a mobile), a sensor that measures glucose in interstitial fluid and inserted into the abdominal area, and a transmitter connected to the sensor sends the this information wirelessly to the monitor. The size of the sensor and transmitter together is similar to a two-euro coin.

The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) will provide regular information on their levels of glucose, thus having a complete picture of blood glucose throughout the day. Read the rest of this entry »

All people with diabetes should watch their blood sugar levels or glucose and take a diabetes test. Knowing your blood sugar levels allow you to modify your strategy to control diabetes if levels are not close to their optimal sugar level.

In addition, diabetes test can help reduce your risk of long-term complications from diabetes. Based on studies of people with type 1 diabetes (Diabetes Control and Complications [DCCT]) and type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Prevention in the United Kingdom [UKPDS]), maintaining normal blood sugar levels and HbA1c reduced substantial risk of complications from diabetes.

Ways to measure your blood sugar with diabetes test
* Monitor blood sugar . It is the traditional method of testing blood sugar involves pricking your finger with a lancet (a small needle, sharp), putting a drop of blood on a test strip and then place the strip into a meter that shows the level blood sugar. Meters vary in features, ease of reading (with larger screens or voice instructions for the visually impaired), portability, speed, size and cost. Current devices provide results in less than 15 seconds and can store this information for future use. These meters can also calculate a blood sugar average over a period of time. Some meters also feature software teams to retrieve information from the meter and the graphs and charts display the results of previous tests. The blood glucose meters and strips are available at your local pharmacy. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the world’s most dreaded diseases is diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the patient’s body no longer produces enough insulin or when the person can not properly use the hormone that the breakdown of glucose. Thus, glucose accumulates in the blood, therefore, that the damage caused by the pancreas and other serious health problems. Not only the disease requires medical attention and care, also requires the patient to assign a lot of money to buy the appropriate drugs to combat various complications.

This is the main reason why it is a good measure to control glucose levels. Your doctor will really know what drugs to prescribe to alleviate the complications of the disease. If you have not yet contracted the disease, monitoring glucose levels in the blood serves as an effective preventive measure.

Here are some tips on the use of a monitor of blood glucose. Read the rest of this entry »

Diabetics still waiting for a reliable, noninvasive blood glucose control: one that does not require breaking the skin or confirmation with a traditional method of surveillance. The latest technology of continuous glucose monitoring involves tiny sensors implanted in the skin that must be calibrated several times a day and replaced every few days to a week to prevent infection. Testers because blood sugar are implanted in the skin, the body considers foreign objects and sensors often scar tissue forms around them.

The FDA approved a non-invasive monitor in 2002, the GlucoWatch biographer. Used on the wrist like a watch, the device uses a small electrical current to extract fluid through the skin and a sensor for analyzing liquid glucose levels. But at least half of diabetics who use the product complained of skin irritation and ulcers, and the product was discontinued in 2007.

Despite the disappointment of GlucoWatch, diabetics should not give hope to avoid multiple daily finger pricks to monitor their blood sugar. Many blood glucose monitors non invasive using different technologies are currently under development, including: Read the rest of this entry »

As a diabetic should know the importance of monitoring blood sugar levels in the blood. The most efficient and user-level monitoring of blood sugar is with the help of the glucose monitor. Glucose monitors are not that expensive, but the test strips are expensive. The diabetic needs a new strip in each test and if he has to try several times in one day requires a lot of bands.

Diabetics who have health insurance can enjoy free diabetic supplies including test strips. General, Medicare covers 80% of diabetic supplies including test strips, glucose meters, blood, batteries, and lancets.

There are some companies that offer these meters for free and some diabetic supplies to holders of insurance and other Medicare beneficiaries. If some diabetics do not have health insurance, but have limited income can apply for Financial Assistance Program to get free glucose meter.

There are basically three ways to get a free glucometer;

First is to visit the online companies that offer free blood glucose meter. In this case, simply complete an online form. The company will send a free glucose meter and other diabetes supplies at no cost. Simply enter some personal data. Some companies even require a prescription for blood glucose control.

Second is to visit a local pharmacy that offers free blood glucose meters. Some reputable pharmacies offer free glucose meter in the purchase of test strips. However, this requires health insurance.

Third idea to get one is free to ask the manufacturer directly. Again, this requires health insurance.

The glucose meter is a device used to measure blood glucose levels. This device also known as a meter is used primarily by people who have been diagnosed with diabetes and the need to control their blood glucose in the blood. Blood was obtained from the patient through a small puncture in the finger with a lancet. The blood is put onto a test strip and inserted into the meter blood glucose. The meter shows the level in mg / dl or any other reading that is calibrated to display. The glucose meter revolutionized home care for patients with diabetes, and they were able to determine their level of blood glucose in seconds. This has led to better management of the disease, which has reduced the risks for diabetes long-term and short risks associated with high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. However, blood glucose meters are a new device being introduced over the past 40 years. Read the rest of this entry »

High cholesterol levels lead to heart disease risk. To detect if there are high levels of cholesterol must be a blood test that measures total cholesterol and lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or bad) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL or good) and triglycerides. This test should be conducted approximately every 5 years. If the sample result is greater than 200 mg / dl total cholesterol, or more than 130 mg / dl of LDL cholesterol, and have not yet felt discomfort, you should watch your diet, reduce fat consumption, especially of animal origin such as sausages, meats, eggs, seafood, cheese and milk.

Cholesterol can be lowered with medication and changes in attitude in daily life such as avoiding snuff, physical inactivity and overweight decrease. The desirable level varies depending on age, sex and health conditions, so it is best to consult a doctor to know about what your appropriate levels.