Wellness Diabetes

Patient measuring blood sugar

The Facts About Diabetics and Blood Testing

One thing all diabetics must do is test their blood regularly. This is also the one thing many hate doing for all kinds of reasons. Yet, testing your blood sugar when you are a Type 2 diabetic can prevent serious
complications that could land you in the hospital.

How often should you test blood sugar?

Medical experts say those with Type 2 diabetes should test their blood sugar at least twice a day. Those who have kept it under control for a long time can lessen the time of checking it to two or three times a week.

The key times to check your blood sugar levels are when you wake up, before or after meals, and before
bedtime. Many people have higher blood sugar levels in the morning because of eight hours of laying down.

Testing after meals can provide beneficial information like how certain foods cause blood sugar to rise or lower. Some doctors would also suggest testing your blood before and after exercise to get a good read on how that affects levels.

Once you understand what affects your blood sugar levels, you won’t need to test so much as long as you keep your sugars under control.

Picking a blood sugar monitor

Those with diabetes should put some thought into the type of monitor they use to test their blood sugar. After all, a monitor that you hate isn’t going to encourage you to do it regularly. There are three factors in choosing a monitor:

  • Accuracy
  • Pain or trouble using it
  • Price

Look to see how accurate the monitor brand is. Most should be close to 100 percent, although none will be perfect. Also, look at whether the testing machine requires pricks. Some offer continuous testing while others advertise “no prick.”

One of the problems with using a blood glucose monitor is in function. Some are overly complicated while others have small test strips that are hard to handle. Look at all that and, if possible, handle one to see if you can use it well.

Price is always a concern but you shouldn’t just look at the price of the machine. Look at the price of the
needles and the test strips. You will buy the machine once but will buy those regularly.

Conclusion

Those with diabetes should put some thought into how and when they test for blood sugar changes.
That includes picking out the right monitor for them, setting their routine times for testing, and understanding how to use the information the monitor gives them. That will help keep diabetes under control.

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