Blood Glucose Testing Monitors

Blood Glucose Testing Monitors

Those who suffer from diabetes or have a past record in one's family history of this condition, will benefit from owning a blood glucose monitor that helps track spikes and dips in one's sugar levels. The amount of blood glucose is one of the important indicators of our health. The glucose level below or above the normal range suggests several ailments. Often, people who are diagnosed with Diabetes or other health conditions, that call for maintaining a stable blood sugar level, need to continuously monitor their glucose levels. For most patients, who have to keep a check on their glucose levels, blood glucose monitors are very useful and can be used conveniently.

Sugar is an important source of energy, especially for the brain. The amount of glucose in the blood is carefully controlled by the endocrine (glandular) system. This system causes sugar to be stored or used for energy, depending on the needs of your body. A blood glucose test is performed to monitor the level of glucose in the blood and hence detect both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which helps in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

Although most monitors require expert supervision, there are several varieties, which are relatively simple and can be used by common people with minimum or no supervision. There exist various types of these monitors that help to keep a check on the glucose levels.

Different Ways to Monitor Blood Sugar
There are a number of ways to monitor the blood sugar levels. Some of the ways are easy, whereas others are complicated. Every patient needs to pick up a monitor that suits his or her medical condition.

1. Chemical Strips
The chemical strips are easy and economical way of measuring one's glucose levels. A drop of blood is taken from the fingertip and is placed on the chemically prepared blood glucose-testing strip. The chemicals in this strip react with the blood constituents and change color according to the concentration of glucose. There is an explanatory chart, which helps to compare the color and interpret results accordingly. However, these monitors are usually recommended only for people, who are not using insulin, or those who can't afford to use an electronic meter.

2. Electronic Blood Glucose Meters
A more expensive and accurate version is the electronic glucose meter. This meter is nothing but an electronic device, which is used for accurate measurement of the glucose level in the blood. A drop of blood (relatively smaller than the one used in chemical strips) is placed on a disposable test strip that is linked with a digital meter. Within a few seconds the glucose level is shown on the digital display.

3. Glucose Sensing Bio-Implants
These are the most advanced devices, which are also very expensive and have to be surgically implanted. These bio-implants can be introduced by minor surgical implantation of the sensors. The longevity of these sensors ranges from one year to more than five years, and differs from product to product.

Normal Range of Blood Sugar Level
The normal range for the glucose is 70-100 mg/dl. A range of 101-125 mg/dl for blood glucose indicates impaired fasting glucose. On the other hand, levels of 126 mg/dl and above indicate a risk of diabetes.

Dangers of Increased/Decreased Glucose Levels
In case a person's blood glucose levels are way to high or too low in comparison with the normal range, then it may lead to conditions of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). One of the most common diseases related to persistent hyperglycemia and failure of blood sugar regulation is Diabetes mellitus.

Most of today’s blood glucose meters are relatively easy to use. They tend to be very portable as most are battery operated. Some are more compact or lightweight than others, making them ideal for people who travel or are very active. Certain designs are made especially for those with vision impairments. Blood glucose monitors are available with larger than average test result displays or in designs that give audio instructions as well as verbal readouts. Audio monitors are also available in different languages.

Some blood glucose monitors require less blood to perform accurate testing and therefore testing may be less painful. However, it is important to check with your healthcare provider for recommendations, as reporting to your doctor will be simpler with a meter with which he or she is familiar. Speaking of reporting your readings to your doctor, there are blood glucose monitors that keep a log of test results making it simpler to keep track of your readings. While it is recommended that you also keep a paper log of blood sugar readings, some designs allow you to upload the log information to your computer. You can then simply print out the results before heading to your doctor’s appointment.

The most common method of testing with blood glucose monitors is sticking the finger, depositing blood on strip, and inserting the strip into the meter. There are also catheter designs. Rather than sticking a finger, a tiny tube is inserted right under the skin for continuous blood glucose monitoring. There is also a watch style, worn like a wristwatch. This type does not actually break the skin but pulls out fluids, recording the amount of glucose in the fluid.

Best Tips for Glucose Monitoring
Glucose monitoring can be quite tedious and painful at times. One great tip for people who need to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels is to take advantage of the latest blood sugar monitoring devices. Regular monitoring is very important, especially when first diagnosed, in order to understand how the body's glucose levels normally change. Increasing blood circulation to the fingers, pricking the sides of fingertips, and rotating the fingers that are pricked are great ways to reduce pain involved with monitoring glucose levels.

The first tip for glucose monitoring is to take advantage of technological advances in this area. Monitoring the blood glucose level used to require frequent doctor visits and lab tests, but today portable electronic devices are available that allow people to monitor their glucose levels anywhere, anytime. In combination with a finger prick and test strips, these home monitors provide everything a person needs to find what her glucose levels are at any given moment. Other advances in technology have eliminated the need for constant finger pricking, which allows continuous monitoring using a small catheter inserted under the skin. The catheter monitors the glucose in the interstitial fluid and sounds an alarm when the levels become too low or high.

Another tip for glucose monitoring, particularly for people recently diagnosed with diabetes or another disorder that affects blood sugar levels, is to frequently monitor blood sugar. The best times to test are on an empty stomach, such as before meals and when first waking up in the morning. Many people experience frequent finger pricking as unpleasant, but rest assured that the more it is done in the beginning, the better understanding a person will have of his or her natural blood sugar levels rising and falling throughout the day. Advances in technology are working on ways to make finger pricking obsolete, but for the time being it is a good investment that will hopefully bring enough understanding of the body's glucose levels that the frequency of testing needed is reduced.

Trying out a few different testers is another good idea for glucose monitoring. Find a device that is comfortable and causes the least amount of pain. Washing hands in warm water and shaking the arms can increase blood circulation to the fingers, which can making finger pricking easier. Prick the sides of the fingertips, where there are fewer nerve endings, to minimize pain. Another great tip is to rotate the fingers, giving each finger more time to heal between pricks.

Adjusting diet and exercise habits is another great tip for glucose monitoring. Eating frequent small meals throughout the day will reduce the spikes in blood sugar levels that can occur when large amounts of food are consumed at once. A person should consult his or her physician for specifics about diet and exercises that are best for his or her specific condition.

How to Reduce Glucose Levels Naturally

1. Diet: Glucose levels in our blood are majorly affected by the food that we eat. Glucose chiefly comes from carbohydrate foodstuffs. Hence, carbohydrate intake should be reduced if your sugar levels are shooting up. Foods that quickly convert into glucose by the body should be avoided. Food rich in fats and those which have high sugar content have to be avoided as well.

Now, foods that reduce glucose levels are called low-gylcemic food. It is advisable to consult a doctor before you fix up a diet plan to reduce blood glucose levels. A few low-gylcemic foods that you must include to lower your blood sugar levels are high fiber fruits, nuts, lemons, cherries, garlic, sweet potatoes, granola, avocado, flaxseed, fenugreek, raw vegetables, and a whole lot of green leafy vegetables. A recent research shows that herbs also help lower glucose levels. Having ginseng after meals, including huckleberries and licorice extract in your diet, assist to reduce glucose levels.

2. Drink Plenty of Water: Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. This will help you digest your food properly. Drinking plenty of water cleans your system and boosts your metabolic process. A good metabolic rate helps you get rid of all the toxins in your body. High glucose levels can make you feel fatigued and weak, and hydrating yourself prevents this weakness. It keeps you going and active all the time.

3. Exercise (Physical): Exercising helps you regulate your blood glucose levels. Research shows that without the help of medication, only exercising too can reduce sugar levels drastically. Taking a brisk walk in the morning can definitely help you reduce your sugar levels. Now, why we stress that it ought to be in the morning is because, the early morning sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D. Vitamin D are essential to maintain healthy functioning of ß-cells in the pancreases, that are responsible for the production of insulin. Exercising also keeps you keep away from obesity, as obese people are more prone to the condition of hyperglycemia. Working out in the gym helps as well, but consulting your doctor before you plan your workout regime is advisable.

4. Exercise (Mental): Lowering stress levels and relaxing helps greatly in assisting normal blood sugar levels. When a person is stressed or disturbed, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, noradrenalin and cortisol in the blood, that causes the glucose levels to shoot up. Therefore, it is important to regulate your stress levels by practicing yoga or meditation. Yoga reduces the stress hormones and improves the insulin action. Practicing yoga also regulates blood supply to the muscles that enhance insulin receptor expression on muscles, resulting in increased glucose uptake by muscles and thus reducing glucose levels! Yogic postures also stretch the pancreas to stimulate the pancreatic function.

5. Adequate Sleep: It is believed that your body functions at its optimal level when you are sleeping, and it is true indeed. Not getting enough sleep can affect the processing of glucose by the body. Enjoying some quality time yourself and relaxing, can ease out the stress levels and can help avoid high blood glucose levels.

Though diabetes or having high blood sugar levels were less common years ago, today this condition seems to be sweeping the world. Increased stress levels, improper eating habits, lack of physical exercise, are attributes to conditions like this. Therefore, it is important to know how to reduce glucose levels or keep them normal, for you to live a healthy and happy life!

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