The Importance of
Regular Blood Glucose Testing: Tips to Improve Testing Habits
Numerous advancements
have been made in diabetes management over the past three decades. Years
ago, patients checked their blood sugar levels either with a urine test at
home or a blood test at a hospital. Today, we have a better understanding of
the disease, and how to manage it. At the same time, advances in technology
allow us to read blood glucose levels in any place, at any time, with
immediate results.
The Importance of
Self-Testing
In 1996, the United
Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) and the Diabetes Control and
Complications Trial (DCCT) concluded that the life-threatening complications
of diabetes such as nerve, eye, kidney and blood vessel damage, can be
reduced or avoided if patients regularly maintain blood glucose levels
within an acceptable range. The American Diabetes Association has determined
that the optimal range for blood glucose is 80-120. Because blood sugar
levels fluctuate throughout the day depending on diet, exercise, stress,
illness, insulin and diabetes medications, testing on a regular basis allows
individuals to better track these changes and make the necessary adjustments
to lower or increase their blood glucose level.
There are many different
blood glucose meters on the market that are faster and less complicated to
use. Manufacturers have developed meters and test strips that require less
blood, conduct the test faster and offer a variety of functions and data
management capabilities to match individual testing needs. Below are some
tips to improve testing habits:
-
Purchase a blood glucose
meter that meets your needs. Work with your physician or diabetes nurse
educator to determine which type of meter is right for you. Make sure the
meter is easy to use and clean.
-
Determine the best times
to test your levels based on your daily activities. When you wake up and
before you go to bed, around meal time and exercise are some key times.
Schedule testing times that are convenient and be consistent with those
times. Keep in mind, illness and stress also affect your blood sugars.
Adjust to meet your needs.
-
Keep a log of your test
results and related events so you can review and easily make needed
adjustments to diet, exercise or medications. Some meters store a history
of your testing and can download that information to your computer or even
directly to your doctor's office.
-
See your physician
regularly. He or she can help to determine any necessary changes to be
made to your management practices.
- Be
sure to take a monitor with you when you're away from home for long
periods of time. Monitors are available that allow you to test discretely
and quickly.
Diabetes is chronic
disease that can be controlled. One of the best tools to manage diabetes is
to frequently test sugar levels with a blood glucose meter. By adapting the
meter as part of your daily routine you will have better diabetes control
and prevent diabetes side effects.
