SMBG is self-monitoring of blood glucose. Using a blood glucose monitor to do SMBG testing can help you improve control of your sugar levels. The results you get from an SMBG test can help you make appropriate adjustments to your medicine, diet and/or level of physical activity. Every person with diabetes should have a blood glucose monitor and know how to use it.
How often should I do SMBG testing?
Your family doctor will recommend how often you should test. Testing times are based on the kind of medicine you take and on how well your sugar levels are controlled.
What time of day should I test?
Recommendations for the best time of day to test your blood sugar depend on your medicine, mealtimes and sugar control. On the chart below, your doctor will check the times when you should test your sugar. Your doctor may also suggest different goals, depending on your situation.
Check your blood sugar if:
* You have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),which include dizziness, shaking, sweating, chills and confusion
* You have symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),which include sleepiness, blurred vision, frequent urination and excessive thirst
* You need to learn how meals, physical activity and medicine affect your blood sugar level
* You have a job in which poor blood sugar control could cause safety problems
* You need help deciding if it is safe to drive or perform other tasks that require concentration if you are taking insulin or have had hypoglycemia in the past
Reasons to check your blood sugar more frequently:
* If your diabetes medicine changes
* If you begin taking other kinds of medicines
* If you change your diet
* If your exercise routine or activity level changes
* If your level of stress increases
* If you are sick. When you are sick, even without eating, your sugar levels may run high, so testing is important.
Follow your doctor's testing recommendations during this time. Continue testing more often until you have maintained your SMBG goal values for at least 1 week, or until your doctor advises you that more frequent testing is no longer necessary.
SOURCE: www.familydoctor.org
Showing posts with label DIABETES TESTING TIPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIABETES TESTING TIPS. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Choosing Your DIABETES TESTING Meter
Good day! If you have anything you wish to add on this list, based on your own experience with DIA
BETES TESTING Meters, please feel free to share it with us by posting a comment. Thank you.
If you carry your meter with you, consider a smaller meter and carrying case.
Size and location of buttons
Larger buttons may be easier for you if you have trouble using your hands or fingers.
Size and packaging of test strips
You must be able to open the foil wrapped or vial of strips. You also need to be able to pick up the strip to place it into the meter.
Blood sample size
If you test your blood sugar frequently, have trouble getting enough blood, or like to use sites other than fingers, consider a meter with strips that require 1 micro-liter of blood or less.
Meter memory
Memory features differ from meter to meter. Some meters store the result of one blood sugar test; others store up to 3000 tests.
Some meters can give you averages of blood sugar tests done in the past 7, 14, 30, or more days. Many meters have computer download capabilities and can display charts or graphs of your blood sugar results. Some meters even have the ability to keep track of food eaten, exercise, and medication, if you are willing to enter the information.
Batteries
Some meters use batteries that are easy to find (AA, AAA) at local stores. Other meters use batteries that need to be purchased at electronic stores such as Radio Shack. One simple solution is to carry a spare battery with you at all times. The battery life of most meters is about 2000 blood sugar tests.
Comparing meter features
Refer to the “Blood Glucose Monitors Reference Guide” from Diabetes Health.
SOURCE: www.diabeteshealth.com
BETES TESTING Meters, please feel free to share it with us by posting a comment. Thank you.
Features to Consider When Choosing Your Meter
Size of meterIf you carry your meter with you, consider a smaller meter and carrying case.
Size and location of buttons
Larger buttons may be easier for you if you have trouble using your hands or fingers.
Size and packaging of test strips
You must be able to open the foil wrapped or vial of strips. You also need to be able to pick up the strip to place it into the meter.
Blood sample size
If you test your blood sugar frequently, have trouble getting enough blood, or like to use sites other than fingers, consider a meter with strips that require 1 micro-liter of blood or less.
Meter memory
Memory features differ from meter to meter. Some meters store the result of one blood sugar test; others store up to 3000 tests.
Some meters can give you averages of blood sugar tests done in the past 7, 14, 30, or more days. Many meters have computer download capabilities and can display charts or graphs of your blood sugar results. Some meters even have the ability to keep track of food eaten, exercise, and medication, if you are willing to enter the information.
Batteries
Some meters use batteries that are easy to find (AA, AAA) at local stores. Other meters use batteries that need to be purchased at electronic stores such as Radio Shack. One simple solution is to carry a spare battery with you at all times. The battery life of most meters is about 2000 blood sugar tests.
Comparing meter features
Refer to the “Blood Glucose Monitors Reference Guide” from Diabetes Health.
SOURCE: www.diabeteshealth.com
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
DIABETES TESTING Tips
Diabetes test tips and tricks
By taking the blood glucose diabetes test, you can make smart choices about managing your diabetes. For example, you can decide when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks. And you’ll ensure good results when you follow these tips:
Strip tips
1) Always use a fresh test strip. Diabetes test strips are only good for three months after opening the vial.
2) Code your meter. When opening a new container of diabetes test strips, be sure to code your meter using control solution and a new strip.
Sample tips
1) Wash and dry your hands. Before performing your diabetes test, use an alcohol
pad to clean the area that you're going to prick. (Washing your hands in hot water gets the blood flowing).
2) Use a fresh lancet. Prick yourself with a fresh, sterile lancet to get a drop of blood.
Reusing lancets can lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
3) Try the side. It may be easier and less painful to prick your fingertip on one side, not
on the pad — especially if you perform this diabetes test several times a day.
4) Dangle and squeeze. If you have trouble getting a sample, try dangling your hand below your heart for a minute then slowly squeeze from the base to the tip.
Bad results?
1) If the entire color spot area of the diabetes test strip does not show full color development (not enough blood) or appears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the diabetes test with a new test strip.
2) If your diabetes test results in an abnormally high or low test reading (a number you feel does not match your symptoms), use control solution to check that your meter is coded properly. Then, retest.
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association
By taking the blood glucose diabetes test, you can make smart choices about managing your diabetes. For example, you can decide when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks. And you’ll ensure good results when you follow these tips:
Strip tips
1) Always use a fresh test strip. Diabetes test strips are only good for three months after opening the vial.
2) Code your meter. When opening a new container of diabetes test strips, be sure to code your meter using control solution and a new strip.
Sample tips
1) Wash and dry your hands. Before performing your diabetes test, use an alcohol
pad to clean the area that you're going to prick. (Washing your hands in hot water gets the blood flowing).
2) Use a fresh lancet. Prick yourself with a fresh, sterile lancet to get a drop of blood.
Reusing lancets can lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
3) Try the side. It may be easier and less painful to prick your fingertip on one side, not
on the pad — especially if you perform this diabetes test several times a day.
4) Dangle and squeeze. If you have trouble getting a sample, try dangling your hand below your heart for a minute then slowly squeeze from the base to the tip.
Bad results?
1) If the entire color spot area of the diabetes test strip does not show full color development (not enough blood) or appears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the diabetes test with a new test strip.
2) If your diabetes test results in an abnormally high or low test reading (a number you feel does not match your symptoms), use control solution to check that your meter is coded properly. Then, retest.
SOURCE: American Diabetes Association
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Tips on DIABETIC TESTING
Getting a Blood Sample from your Fingers:
All glucose meters vary in technique. Refer to your owner's manual for more information specific to your glucose meter and diabetic testing strips. However, here are some simple diabetic testing tips for getting a blood sample from your fingers.- Wash hands with warm soapy water
- Avoid using alcohol, since it can cause drying and cracking of the skin
- Shake hand down at the side of your body to increase blood flow
- Grasp finger near the area to be lanced and squeeze gently until redness appears
- Prick the side, rather that the center of the finger, because there are fewer nerve endings
- Squeeze gently until you obtain a large drop of blood; do not apply force
- If necessary, gently rub hand from the base of the palm to the finger tip to increase flow
- When you have a large hanging drop of blood, apply it to pad on the test strip. Or, if your strips are "sip-in" style, touch the strip to the blood droplet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
