Blood Sugar check is a must to fight diabetes.
Here are the reasons why:
- For Control and Management: Regular Monitoring helps us understand how blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day in response to food, activity, medication. This information allows us to make informed decisions about diet, exercise and medication adjustments to maintain optimum blood sugar control
- Prevention of Complications: Consistently high or even low blood sugar levels can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney disease. nerve damage, and vision problems. By monitoring blood sugar levels always, we can take proactive steps to prevent this complications by keeping their levels within target ranges.
- Treatment Adjustment: Monitoring allows adjustment of treatment plans. For example, if blood sugar levels are consistently high despite following prescribed treatment plan, we may need to adjust medication dosage or make other lifestyle changes.
What method of blood sugar level monitoring to use?
The traditional method is called fingerstick testing, where a small drop of blood is obtained by pricking the fingertip with a lancet and then tested using a blood glucose meter.
The other method is a modern method called Continuous Glucose Monitoring system.
Which Method is Better
The Traditional method is better for the following situations:
- Accuracy: Fingerstick testing is considered more accurate than CGM systems.
- Cost: Fingerstick testing is more affordable than the CGM systems.
- Ease of Use: Fingerstick testing is more convenient than wearing the CGM systems.
However, it is essential to note that Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems also offer advantages such as the following;
- 24 hours a day monitoring
2. Ability to track trends and patterns over time
3. Alarms you for high and low blood sugar levels
What brand of Glucometer for Finger pricking Testing
The Contour Plus brand is glucometer I personally use. Contour Plus is readily available here local pharmacies. You can also order online which is cheaper.
What brand to Use for CGM
For CGM systems, the one offered by Abbot is recommendable.
In view of the above, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels will not be achievable without using any of the methods stated in this blog.
What are your thoughts?
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