Tuesday, December 6, 2016

How to Test Your Blood Sugar

While you're recognized with kind 2 diabetes, your well being care supplier could ask you to check your blood sugar ranges, particularly if you happen to want every day insulin injections. "While you're on insulin, there is a danger of low blood sugar, which could be very harmful," says Cara Harris, an authorized diabetes educator for The Ohio State College Diabetes and Metabolism Analysis Middle. Common blood exams help you spot developments or issues, and alert your physician or different supplier to alter your remedy if wanted, she provides.

To test your blood sugar, you will use a glucometer, a tool that pricks your finger, supplying you with a tiny blood pattern to check. "Most glucometers are fairly comparable these days," Harris says, however she notes that some manufacturers supply completely different options, comparable to the flexibility to check on areas of your physique apart from your fingers, or a approach to document details about what you ate. For those who need assistance selecting a meter, ask your diabetes educator, Harris says. Earlier than you select, she recommends checking together with your insurance coverage firm; some insurers solely cowl sure fashions.

Many well being care suppliers say you need to test your blood sugar 2 to four occasions a day. Earlier than you check, clear your pores and skin with cleaning soap and water. "Generally sufferers will peel an orange after which check with out washing their palms first, and it may well alter the outcomes," Harris says. If you do not have cleaning soap and water close by, you should utilize hand sanitizer, however permit it to dry earlier than testing.

Every time you test your blood sugar, document your outcomes. This allows you to assessment your numbers together with your physician or diabetes educator and spot any developments. "It isn't a lot the checking that is essential, however what you do with the outcomes," Harris stresses. "You'll want to speak together with your supplier about what these numbers imply." In case your ranges are too excessive or too low, it could possibly be the results of your meals decisions, train, or drugs, she says. Adjusting your routine could assist you to carry your numbers again into goal vary, often between 80 and 130 mg/dL. (Your goal could differ, relying on issues like your age, Harris notes.)

Continued

Whereas some glucometers document check knowledge, Harris recommends writing the data in a logbook or getting into it in an app, which makes it simpler to assessment and see potential issues. Harris says a few of her sufferers have used apps comparable to Glucose Buddy and mySugr. Each are free on Android and Apple gadgets.

At your subsequent appointment, ask your diabetes educator:

  • What blood sugar goal vary ought to I purpose for?
  • If I cease testing my blood sugar, what is going to occur?
  • Can I ship you my blood sugar logbook to assessment?
  • Are you able to advocate any apps or web sites to document my blood sugar ranges?

Sources

SOURCES:

Cara Harris, nurse practitioner and licensed diabetes educator, Ohio State College Hospital East.

Mayo Clinic: "Blood sugar testing: Why, when and the way."

© 2016 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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