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How To Use Glucometer To Check Blood Sugar

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How Does A Glucometer Help You

Checking Blood Sugar (Glucose) Level | How to Use a Glucometer (Glucose Meter)

With a glucometer or blood glucose meter, you can check your blood sugar level at any time of the day. So you dont have to wait for a lab appointment or fast before you can have your blood glucose checked.

A glucometer is very useful for people with diabetes because it can help them:

  • Manage their blood sugar levels
  • Avoid low blood sugar levels
  • Prevent high blood sugar levels
  • Detect early signs of diabetes
  • Find out if their diabetes treatment is working

S On How To Use A Glucometer & When

There will be a question in your mind about how and when should we test our blood sugar level using Glucometer? The answer to your question lies within how, when and what can be the disadvantages & advantages of self-monitoring. All these well be covering further in this article. Lets take a look at how should we use the Glucometer.

  • Its essential to wash your hands before starting your test, as reading cannot be accurate if you didnt already.
  • Glucometer comes with a variety of small strips, lancets . While self-monitoring, it depends on how you are able to manage a little uncomfortable tingling while pricking your finger from the lancet.
  • Before I allow to introduce you to the steps & all the processes, you need to know certain things which are essential to process the Blood Sugar Test. These are
    • You need a lancet, which is used to prick your finger for taking out the drop of blood as a sample.
    • A swab is vital to aid the puncture portion of your finger. An extra bandage will be helpful, too, just for emergency cases.
    • At last, a blood sugar monitor through which you can observe the readings.
  • Washing your hands with soapy water before testing will protect you from any infections on the pricking side of your finger. Try to use the sides of the fingertip to eliminate discomfort. As soon as you have done with the pricking, quickly apply the alcohol wipes on the site instead of washing it. Dry them well before the next step.
  • What Kind Of People Should Use A Glucometer

    The use of glucometer is a must for people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes. It is an essential part of diabetes treatment, since regular tracking of glucose levels will help:

    • Identify patterns of blood sugar spikes and crash after a particular activity
    • Regulate the effects of therapies or anti-diabetic drugs
    • Observe the blood sugar levels responsiveness after taking a particular medication dose, exercising, or during times of stress
    • Evaluate how a person can meet the treatment goals

    Glucometer makes it easier to get real-time blood glucose readings at home, so make sure you have it if diagnosed with any type of diabetes.

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    Popular Options Available In Tech

    There is wide range of glucometer machine available in the market. Some of the affordable and popular options are:

    • Wireless network model: In this type of glucometer, blood sugar level logs are sent to the tracking platform through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
    • Glucometers with speaking mode: Such glucometers easy for those who have visual impairments. They simply vocalise the process to use diabetes test machine to complete the test without problem. User can hear the final reading of the test result as well.
    • Glucometers with multi-parameters: With the help of such type of glucometers, you can measure other parameters as well in addition to the blood sugar level check. Glucometers integrated with a thermometer, ketosis reader, cholesterol reader, lactometer, or more are also there.

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    What Are The Normal Glucometer Readings For Diabetics

    English Guide Sinocare GA

    If you are taking a blood sugar test before meals, the normal glucometer readings should be in the approximate range of 80 to 130 mg/dL. Post-meal blood sugar readings should be less than 180 mg/dL. If the numbers exceed this range, you should talk to your doctor to determine the future course of action.

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    Types Of Glucose Meters

    Glucometers can be of different types. Each is known to have its own advantage and is made to make the life of a person with diabetes easier. Regular and timely blood sugar testing with a glucometer at home is something that most people with diabetes need to learn. This is what will eventually help them manage to keep their glucose levels optimal. With the advancement and innovation in technology, several types of glucometers are now available in the market.

    Invasive testing If you are learning how to use a glucometer to check blood sugar, you will be taught the most commonly used system a machine with testing strips. This is the most popular and commonly used glucometer in the market. They are simple to use, easy to carry and give accurate results. Also know about glucometer price.

    How To Monitor Blood Sugar

    Your doctor will tell you how often to check your blood sugar at home. Checking blood sugar at home can be done in several ways. You can use a blood glucose monitor to check your blood sugar. This method uses a finger stick device to get a drop of blood. Then, you put a drop of blood on a test strip, which is inserted into the monitor. The monitor will then give you a reading of your blood sugar.

    Another method of checking blood sugar is continuous glucose monitoring or CGM. This method places a sensor on the body, with a tiny attachment that goes under the skin. CGMs monitor interstitial blood sugar, the sugar found in fluid between cells. The data is transmitted to a receiver or an app on the patients mobile phone. Data is updated frequently. Depending on which CGM you use, your glucose data is updated every one to five minutes. This is especially useful in patients who use insulin and need frequent readings to make treatment decisions.

    Your healthcare provider will give you a treatment plan. You will have a target blood sugar range. Depending on your diagnosis, your provider will give you more information on what to do if your blood sugar is too low , or if your blood sugar is too high .

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    Type 2 And Gestational Diabetes

    In type 2 and gestational diabetes , your body still produces insulin, but it doesn’t use it efficiently. This is called insulin resistance and it makes blood sugar levels rise.

    If you have one of these conditions, you may only need to test two to four times per day. You may test much more often, though, especially when your diagnosis is new and your levels aren’t yet stable.

    You may check:

    • First thing in the morning and before bed
    • Before each meal and before bed
    • Before and two hours after each meal and before bed

    In part, this depends on whether you take insulin or use other medications. If you manage your diabetes with non-insulin medication and know your typical patterns, you may not even need to test daily.

    What Are The Uses Of A Glucometer

    How to check blood sugar using glucometer

    If you have diabetes, you must use this sugar testing machine to control your condition better. Some of the top uses of a glucometer include:

    • Checking whether the blood sugar levels are under control, high, or low
    • Assessing how your body is responding to a particular diabetes treatment
    • Observing blood glucose levels during stress or after heavy physical activities like exercise
    • Understanding whether and to what degree lifestyle changes, including exercise and diet, are influencing your diabetes condition
    • Recognizing blood glucose level patterns to determine the best future course of action

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    Simple Steps To Use The Blood Sugar Test Machine

    With the help of a portable and mobile-based glucometer, it is possible to monitor your blood sugar level anywhere anytime. One has to follow the instructions mentioned in the user manual provided with the kit to use the glucometer effectively. All you need to be ready with a glucometer, the test strip, lancing device, lancet, an alcohol pad to get started with the blood test machine.

    Following are the steps that one needs to follow to use the blood sugar test machine:

    Get Your Blood Glucose Meter Ready

  • Hold the test strip with the printed side facing you.
  • Hold your blood glucose meter with the screen and buttons facing you.
  • Put the grey square end of the test strip into your meters test strip port .

    Figure 11. Put the test strip into the port

  • Your meter should beep and turn on after you put the test strip in the port. If it does not:

    • Make sure you pushed the test strip all the way into the port.
    • Make sure the end of the test strip with the grey square is in the port.
    • Make sure the printed side of the test strip is facing you.

    Your blood glucose meter is now ready. It will stay on for 3 minutes after you put in the test strip. If you do not apply a drop of blood to the tip of the test strip in that time, it will beep and turn off. If this happens, pull the test strip out and put it back into the port.

    Do not apply blood to the test strip before you put it into the meter or when the meter is off. If you do, that strip will be ruined. Youll have to start over with a new one.

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    Blood Sugar Charts By Age Risk And Test Type

    Blood sugar level charts | Blood glucose tests | Blood sugar monitoring | FAQs

    Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the main sugar in your blood. Blood sugar comes from foods you eat, and the blood carries glucose to your bodys cells for energy.

    People with diabetes have high blood glucose levels. High blood sugar levels can cause complications like heart disease, stroke, and heart attack over time. It can also cause kidney, eye, and nerve problems.

    If you have diabetes, your healthcare provider will give you more information about keeping your blood sugar numbers in a target range. They will also tell you how often and when to check your blood sugar and what to do if your blood sugar is high or low. You may need to make dietary changes and increase your exercise. You may also need to take medication and/or insulin.

    Common Problems To Avoid While Testing

    Sinocare Smart Blood Glucose Meter &  50 Test Strips Lancets  Peridrome ...

    It is important to maintain your Glucometer regularly to avoid potential problems. Follow these tips to maintain your devices functioning and to keep it in a good condition:

    Ensure that you have extra batteries in stock that fits your glucometer. Do not use expired test strips, as expired test strips can provide an inaccurate result. After pulling a test strip out from the box, make sure that you close the lid tightly. As too much light or moisture can damage the strip. Clean your device at regular intervals and run quality-control checks as indicated. Dispose of the used test strips as soon as you are done testing.

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    Benefits Of Self Monitoring For Blood Sugar Level

    Self-Monitoring for Blood Sugar benefits us with quite some basic things, and these include pretty many habits and different activities which could be manageable and essential daily. Lets see and go through what are all types of Benefits while self-monitoring.

  • The most crucial benefit of self-monitoring for blood sugar is to arrange and assist in making decisions of what type of food consumption is vital& the other activities that can improve your diet & get your glucose level on track.
  • This can be used to determine the High/Low blood sugar levels & can create good health management & which is very important and could let you analyse your body.
  • This allows you to take care of the diseases beforehand, and you can prepare your needs to repent them.
  • To monitor it well, Glucometer is the perfect idea to check and maintain sugar levels. Lets take a look at what and how Glucometer can be helpful.
  • Some Important Precautions When Using Glucometer At Home

    While testing your blood sugar levels, it is important to take some precautions.

    • Read the instructions that come with your blood glucose meter carefully.
    • If you do not understand the instructions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
    • Also, be sure to use only the lancets and test strips recommended for your glucometer.
    • Do not reuse lancets and test strips.
    • Clean the lancing device after each use.
    • Store your glucometer and accessories in a cool, dry place.
    • Look for the expiration date on the test strips and lancets before using them.
    • Do not use expired test strips or lancets.
    • If you have any questions about the proper use of your glucometer properly, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

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    Prepare The Lancing Device

    To prepare the lancing device, proceed as follows:

  • Hold the lancing device with one hand and open its cap.
  • Then insert a new sterile lancet into the lancet carrier.
  • Then turn the protective cover of the sterile lancet and remove it.
  • Finally, put the cap back on.
  • The lancet is now in the lancing device and ready for use.

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    How to test blood sugar at home with a glucometer
    • With some meters, you can also use your forearm, thigh, or fleshy part of your hand.
    • There are spring-loaded lancing devices that make sticking yourself less painful.
    • If you use your fingertip, stick the side of your fingertip by your fingernail to avoid having sore spots on the frequently used part of your finger.

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    Throw Away The Test Strip And Used Lancet

  • Firmly pull the test strip out of your blood glucose meter . Throw it away in the trash can. Its OK to put it with your regular trash.

    Figure 16. Pull the test strip out of your blood glucose meter

  • Twist the white band on your lancing device to the right to unlock the endcap. Pull the endcap straight off.
  • Put the round plastic tab you removed from the top of the lancet earlier on a flat surface. Push the end of the lancet firmly into the plastic tab . The tab will cover the lancet so you will not accidentally prick yourself.

    Figure 17. Push the end of the lancet into the plastic tab

  • Hold the lancet over your plastic sharps container. Slide the lancet ejector forward until the lancet falls into the plastic sharps container .
  • Do not pull the lancet out with your fingers. The plastic tab can easily come off. If it does, you may prick yourself with the needle.
  • Figure 18. Eject the lancet into the sharps container

  • Slide the lancet ejector back into place. Put the endcap back on your lancing device. Twist the white band to the left to lock on the endcap.
  • The Contour Diabetes App

    The Contour Diabetes app works with your Contour Next One blood glucose meter. It lets you make notes, set reminders, see your results in a graph, and share your reports. If you want to use the app, you can download it from the Apple App Store® or Google Play store.

    You do not need to download the Contour Diabetes app if you do not want to. The Contour Next One blood glucose meter works without the app.

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    The Right Time Of Self

    There are three timings at which you test or self monitor your blood sugar:

    • Just for self-precaution to maintain your target range of Blood Sugar.
    • For the ones who are suffering from Diabetes-1
    • Lastly, for the ones who are suffering from Diabetes-2.

    For each of these cases, there are a set of instructions provided by doctors & in general, and they are specific. It means they usually need to follow this set of instructions to check the progress.

    Lets take a brief instruction of each of the cases, except for those just measuring for self-precaution.

    Instructions to when Diabetes-1 will perform tests:-

    • Usually, doctors will recommend you to test for five to ten times every day.
    • This includes testing before meals & snacks.
    • Either before or after the workout.
    • This is important to test before you go to sleep & during the night too.
    • They usually have to perform tests, especially when they are ill.
    • We dont prefer you to change your routine, but it is vital to test if you do.

    Instruction to when Diabetes-2 will perform tests:-

    • In this situation, it is recommended to do tests several times a day, just like for Diabetes-1 patients.
    • But if you have an intake of non-insulin medications in a while, there is no need to test your blood sugar level.

    Keeping Track Of Your Results

    Zen Pharmacy
    • Your healthcare provider will tell you how to keep track of your blood sugar levels and medication doses. Follow their instructions.
    • Bring your blood sugar log to all your appointments. This information will help your healthcare provider decide if they should change your current treatment plan. If you have questions about checking your blood sugar, ask your healthcare provider.

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    Instructions For Checking Your Blood Sugar

    Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar. Theyll also tell you what your blood sugar level should be. This is called your blood sugar target range. Your blood sugar target range is based on your overall health and current treatment plan.

    When youre ready to start, wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them very well. Touching a blood glucose test strip with damp hands can damage it or make your result less accurate.

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