Monitoring Your Blood Glucose Level When You Are Diabetic

In order to self-monitor your blood glucose level you will need a glucose meter, alcohol pads, sterile finger lancets and test strips. Check with your insurance plan to see if these supplies are covered.

 
Your doctor will tell you how to monitor your blood glucose level and how often to do this. Monitoring your glucose level is an important tool in managing your diabetes. Food, activity levels, stress, medications can all affect your glucose level in your blood. You can stay healthy if you monitor your blood glucose level when instructed.

In order to self-monitor your blood glucose level you will need a glucose meter, alcohol pads, sterile finger lancets and test strips. Check with your insurance plan to see if these supplies are covered.

Today there are advances being made in glucose meter systems that are less painful and quicker. What follows is the basic information for a typical meter.

It is important to wash your hands and to dry them well before testing your blood.

Use an alcohol pad to clean the area that you will be pricking to draw the blood.

Most glucose meters require that you draw the blood from your fingertips.

Some meters will allow you to use your forearm, thigh or the fleshy part of your hand.

Prick your finger on the side not the pad (it will be less painful)

Use the sterile lancet to prick your finger.

Place the drop of blood on the test strip.

Follow the instructions for inserting the test strip into the glucose meter.

Diabetes Diets

There are different types of exercising: aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Walking is an excellent exercise for anyone because it improves circulation and your mobility; it promotes weight loss and can even help you to reduce your stress level. Lifestyle: Your lifestyle not only includes your work, home life and what you do for fun but it also includes those health habits you have acquired like if you smoke or drink, use recreational drugs etc. Your lifestyle includes your eating habits and your risks that you take such as if you drive a sports car or bungee jump. A diabetic needs to consider their lifestyle and evaluate if anything about their lifestyle is detrimental to controlling their diabetes? Diabetes Information

The meter will give you a number for your blood glucose level. Record this number.

Warm water may help you to improve your blood flow if you are having trouble getting enough blood from your finger.

Use a small notebook or a record book given to you by your doctor to record your results. Your doctor may also ask you to record the food you have eaten, and when you take your medication or insulin, and also to record your daily physical activity in order to see how these things affect your blood glucose level.

Your glucose level should be monitored on a regular basis. Your doctor will indicate how often you should check your glucose level and under what circumstances it should be checked such as during exercise, after exercise or when you are experiencing symptoms.

If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes your doctor may ask you to check your glucose level twice a day to start out with such as before breakfast and before dinner for the first few weeks. After a while you may only have to check it 2 or 3 times a week.

Diabetes and Your Health

09/02/2010
Diabetes drug metformin exhibits potential against tobacco-induced lung tumors
Metformin, a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, shows potential in the prevention of tobacco-induced lung tumors, according to early research conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Diabetes drug metformin exhibits potential against tobacco-induced lung tumors

09/02/2010
Diabetes drug metformin found to reduce cancer risk
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT) A growing body of evidence suggests that the widely used diabetes drug metformin can reduce the risk of cancer, researchers said Wednesday.

Diabetes drug metformin found to reduce cancer risk

09/01/2010
Diabetes drug may keep lung cancer at bay
The common diabetes drug metformin may hold promise as a way to keep smokers from developing lung cancer, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.

Diabetes drug may keep lung cancer at bay

09/02/2010
Diabetes drug may have cancer uses
HOUSTON, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- An ancient herbal remedy whose active ingredient is the main constituent of a modern diabetes drug may help combat cancer, two U.S. studies show. Cancer - Health - Conditions and Diseases - Herbalism - Diabetes

Diabetes drug may have cancer uses

09/02/2010
Diabetes drug can reduce risk of cancer, researchers find
Metformin reduced the development of lung tumors in mice by more than 70%. Clinical trials on humans for lung, breast and prostate cancer are being organized. A growing body of evidence suggests that the widely used diabetes drug metformin can reduce the risk of cancer, researchers said Wednesday.

Diabetes drug can reduce risk of cancer, researchers find

 

 

Living with Diabetes Successfully
Basic Facts About Diabetes
Keeping Your Eyes and Feet Healthy When You Are Diabetic
Monitoring Your Blood Glucose Level When You Are Diabetic
Preventing Complications When You Are Diabetic
Proper Nutrition For The Diabetic
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes
Understanding What Type 2 Diabetes is All About
What You Can Do To Help A Family Member Who Has Diabetes
You Can Control Your Type 2 Diabetes
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