What You Need To Know About Blood Glucose Monitors

If you have diabetes, one of the things you will need to start doing is using a blood glucose monitor to check your blood glucose level.  This should be done on a regular basis, preferably every day.  This is how you will know whether your blood glucose level is high, low or at the right measurement.   

The monitors, also known as glucometers, are supplied with components that can help you read your blood glucose level properly. 

In order to get the best results, you must use the blood glucose monitor properly.  Everything you need to do this must be in immediate reach of you.  This is because your blood sample will need to connect to the monitor as soon as you get a sample.

In addition to the monitor, you will need an alcohol pad, a lancet and/or lancing device, test strip and paper towel.  In order to get a blood sample, you must prick the selected area.  Prior to doing this, you must wipe the area with an alcohol pad.  This is to make sure the area is sterile prior to pricking.  Wait and make sure the area is dry and then you can prick it.  The usual area that gets pricked is the fingertips. 

Next, you will use a lancet to prick the fingertip area.  Lancets are tiny needles use to prick your finger or authorized area.  You get the blood sample by squeezing the pricked area.     

The next stop is with the test strip.  The test strip is where the blood sample is placed and the strip is inserted into a slot of the blood glucose monitor.  After the blood is placed on the strip and inserted into the blood glucose monitor, there is a chemical component that helps to calculate a blood glucose reading from the monitor.  It only takes a few seconds for the monitor to display your blood glucose level. 

You will see a number on the display that represents your current blood glucose level.  If the number registers between 70 and 120, your blood glucose level is stable.  If it is under 70, your blood glucose level is low and you’re in danger of getting hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).  If it is over 120, your blood glucose level is high and you’re in danger of getting hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). 

With hyperglycemia, you should get something to eat (or drink) immediately.  It should be something that can quickly boost your sugar.  Things like carbonated soda or glucose gel can help boost your blood glucose level quickly.  With hypoglycemia, you may have to take insulin in order to lower your blood glucose level.   

In order to avoid infection and/or injury, it’s best that you use different fingers or other sites when you use the blood glucose monitor.   

Using a blood glucose monitor on a daily basis is important.  This way you’ll know on a regular basis what your blood glucose level is and if it’s abnormal, you’ll know what to do. 

You will also be able to determine how what you eat affect your levels.  However, using the blood glucose monitor has to be done properly or you won’t receive accurate results.