blood glucose levels | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

Good Blood Sugar Levels

So what is considered to be a good blood sugar level?

Maintaining good blood sugar levels is the optimal way of being able to keep up with maintaining your diabetes and keeping your body healthy. Good blood sugar levels are generally been said to be good when they fall in between the 80 to 125 range. Otherwise, if they fall below you could be hypoglycemic and if they fall too high then you can be hyperglycemic. Both of which can start causing medical problems and diabetes complications, which if left untreated can lead to a lifelong medical battle.

Ideal blood sugar levels vary from person to person because everyone is so different. Everyone’s body type is different which makes their blood sugar vary as well.

There are general guidelines that have been set by the American diabetes association regarding criteria by which doctors and physicians go by when determining what is considered a good blood sugar level, a low blood sugar level, and what is considered high.

Having a chart that allows people to know what their good blood sugar levels are will allow them to feel good when they meet those areas and they know that they are maintaining their diabetes.

Normal Blood sugar Levels

For a large portion of healthy people, these levels would be the normal blood sugar levels:

Between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) while fasting.

Up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating.

For diabetics, these would be the blood sugar level targets.

Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/L for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

After meals: under 9 mmol/L for people with type 1 diabetes and under 8.5mmol/L for people with type 2 diabetes

Why are Good Blood Sugar Levels so Important?

It’s really important that you make every effort to keep your blood glucose levels under control as best you can. If you have levels that are too high and they remain high for long periods of time, this will certainly increase the risk of developing complications of diabetes.

So What are the Main Complications of Diabetes?

Nerve Damage (diabetes neuropathy): Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain occurs when the diabetic or person is having trouble seeing, using their muscles and limbs, and is in just a great amount of pain from overworking them.

Retinal Disease: Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness.

Heart Disease: Together, heart attacks and strokes are the most important complications of diabetes type 2. They are also among the most preventable.

Foot Damage: Diabetics are more susceptible to foot problems than healthy people. When Diabetics cut themselves, or have an ulcer or even just a blister, this can lead to infection and if not treated can certainly cause life-threatening problems.

High Blood Pressure: Diabetes makes the blood vessels stiffer and in turn they are less able to relax, increasing the pressure inside the blood vessels

After all who wants to worry about their blood sugar numbers all the time when you can find what works best for you so that you can be stress-free and know that you have your diabetes under control?

Make sure you visit your healthcare member and find out what your blood sugar levels should be – Most of the time when a person first finds out that they are diabetic, the doctor will ask them to monitor their blood glucose levels for a certain period of time and then they will have them come back into the office and compare them in order to find what good blood sugar levels are for them.

Bayer Glucose Meters Review

Bayer glucose meters are produced by Bayer Health Care Company, a leader in the development of diabetes monitoring devices.

These devices include home blood glucose meters for caregivers and diabetes patients as well as a wide range of industrial products for healthcare professionals. Bayer Health Care has dominated the United State market for blood glucose meters since launching its first glucometer in the ’80s.

Bayer Contour Next EZ Glucose Meter

Since its launch, the Contour Next EZ has been a very popular self-testing tool among diabetics. This home blood glucose testing device is used by diabetes patients to monitor their blood glucose levels.

It is designed to measure blood glucose levels ranging between 20 and 600 mg/dL and it offers high levels of accuracy. Scientific studies show that it ranks among the most accurate and reliable glucose meters on the market.

Key features and benefits – Bayer Contour Next EZ Glucose Meter

Beginner-friendly
No setup required and the glucose meter can be used right away
Large, clear to read display
“second chance sampling” test strips allow users to apply more blood to get an accurate reading and avoid wasting strips
Highly accurate and reliable
Compensates for interfering substances such as vitamin C
Tracks glucose values by making 30 days. 14 days and 7 days averages of measurements
Stores up to 480 blood glucose test results

The Bayer Contour Next EZ blood glucose meter is quick, straightforward accurate, and easy to use. Some of its outstanding advantages include its beginner friendliness and highly proven accuracy. The Contour Next Glucose Test Kit is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a complete, easy to use meter to start monitoring their blood glucose levels at home.

Moreover, it’s a user-friendly device that does not require syncing or coding as is the case with some meters on the market.

The results are displayed only 5 seconds after taking the test. Another important feature is the meter’s ability to store data. It also allows users to enter their usual blood glucose levels, making it easier to track and monitor changes.

Bayer Contour Test Strips

The test strips require only 0.6 microliters of blood to ensure the accuracy of test results. Moreover, the meter allows users to add a bit more blood and test again in case the blood used was not sufficient to obtain results. This is commonly known as “second chance sampling”, which saves you money by preventing wastage of test strips.

Blood glucose values are considered very low under 70 mg/dL and very high above 250 mg/dL. However, you should always discuss your personal blood glucose values with a medical professional. Your healthcare professional will also help you formulate a treatment plan to help you maintain your glucose level within the target range.

Bayer Contour Next One Bluetooth Glucose Meter

The Contour Next One is a great option if you are on a tight budget. However, users also need to pick up the additional tools necessary to use it.

Diabetes patients who have been using this glucose meter for a while already have a favored type of lancets and the test strips are remarkably cheap as well as easy to find. Users should allow a 60 second window period before applying blood the second time.

The main shortcoming of the Contour next one blood glucose meter is that it does not come with the necessary components of a complete glucose monitoring kit such as strips and lancets.

Therefore, users must pick up all the other supplies needed to use the device, making it an ideal choice for users who have their test kits put together. Thankfully, these supplies are readily available in most drug stores, and the cost is quite reasonable.

Key features and benefits – Contour Next One Glucose Meter

The monitor is quite cheap
Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity
Excellent accuracy
Smart light alerts users when their levels are off
No coding needed
Second chance sampling allows users to reapply blood to the test strip whenever the first sample is insufficient to produce test results
Test results can be easily transferred to Bluetooth-enabled devices
500 MB memory storage that can hold up to 800 test results

It is recommended that you use Contour Next strips only with the Contour Next One blood glucose meter. It’s an excellent option for tech-savvy users because it allows you to sync test results to the Contour Next app on your smartphone. This data can be easily shared with healthcare professionals for remote analysis. Moreover, it is equipped with a light that helps users see where test strips should be inserted, even in the dark.

Read about FDA approved blood glucose meters HERE!

The Precision Pro Glucose Meter

The Precision Pro Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System is designed for outside the body (in vitro) diagnostic use for measurement of D-glucose and ketone in capillary blood samples. The Precision Pro System is not designed to diagnose diabetes, but is rather meant for professional use and as an aid in determining and monitoring the effectiveness of various diabetes management programs.

Features of the Precision Pro Monitoring System:

Tests blood ketone and blood glucose levels all with the same system, using the Precision blood ketone test strips and Precision blood glucose test strips.
Simple icon-driving menu helps simplify blood sugar monitoring
Intuitive and simple set-up
Easy-to-view results
Offers the ability to easily scroll back and forth
No coding required
The test strips are neatly wrapped in foil to help prevent errors as a result of contamination

Key features and specifications – Precision Pro Glucose Meter

Easy data entry

Precision Pro Blood Glucose System allows you to choose between the alphanumeric keypad and built-in barcode scanner for data entry according to point-of-care policy. The system can be easily configured to accept operator identification, patient identification, comment code, test strip lot number and two text fields.

Patient ID Confirmation

The system can display useful information about the patient such as the patients name, gender, date of birth, and supporting patient identification procedure. For confirmation, the system can require entry of the patient’s year of birth.

Data integrity

Precision Pro Blood Glucose meter offers many options to ensure that accurate data is collected. These include specifying the maximum and minimum length of the ID, verifying the barcode, restricting the number of barcodes that can be accepted. The system can also require repeated data entry on the keypad especially when you’re not using the barcode scanner. The system also keeps a record of the operator and patient data entry method (manual versus scanned) co help in identification and correction of errors.

Fast, simple testing

To perform tests on the system, you simply need to insert the test strip into the port, apply the sample and wait for results to be displayed. For convenience, the sample can be applied to either the end or top of test strips. The test only starts when the sample applied is adequate. This safeguard is meant to strip wastage, prevent errors, and unnecessary repeat tests.

Automatic calibration

You can automatically calibrate the system by simply scanning the barcode on test strips before use. This also allows the system to check the expiry date to ensure accurate and reliable test results.

QC Lock-out

Users can configure the system to require periodic testing and lock out the systems if tests are not performed using control solutions or if the tests are incomplete. QC tests results are usually displayed as pass or fail only in order to prevent testing while the system is in control test mode.

Operator management

Access to the system can be restricted to authorized or certified operators in order to prevent use by untrained users.

Result Storage

The Precision Pro Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System can store up to 1,000 control test results and 2,500 patient test results. It can also store 2 linearity panels and up to 20 proficiency test results. Moreover, users can automatically upload all stored data to the data management system. This requires an upload cable (optional), docking station (optional), or wirelessly in WiFi (optional) enabled facilities.

Network connectivity

The system can easily upload data wirelessly, via a docking station or cable. This offers an automated and simple way to manage multiple systems.

System components

The Precision Pro Blood Glucose Meter includes the following components:

Meter
Control solutions
Blood glucose test strips

Optional components for use with the system

Blood ketone test strips
Calibration verification controls
Abbot single use lancet
Docking station
Data management system
Carry case
FreeStyle isolation bags
Wireless set-up utility
Data upload cable

In addition to being used by patients to monitor their blood sugar level and the effectiveness of their diabetes management systems, Precision Pro Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System can also be used by doctors and other health care professionals. It is ideal for quantitative measurement of glucose in arterial, neonatal or venous whole blood ketone and blood sugar levels.

However, the sample should be used within 30 minutes upon collection. Precision Pro Blood Glucose Monitoring System is designed to help simplify point-of-care testing for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. It provides features that improve the reliability and efficiency of the testing process.

Read about the non invasive glucose meter HERE!

The Bloodless Glucose Meter

If you are a diabetic and sick and tired of sore fingers and the pain associated with sticking your fingers every time you need to check your blood sugar, the ‘up and coming’ bloodless glucose meter may be just what you need! These sought after meters will very soon be available, in styles like the glucowatch, which is designed to be worn on the wrist.

How Does the Bloodless Glucose Meter Work?

These particular meters work by drawing interstitial fluid through the sweat glands in the skin by using a small electric current. This electric current is so small that the only real discomfort associated with using the device is some possible irritation caused by wearing the device around the wrist or arm, and this is usually no more uncomfortable than wearing a large watch or MP3 player. The bloodless glucose monitor lives up to its name in that it is completely pain-free for most users and represents the newest and best in glucose monitoring technology.

The meters of today are useful tools when it comes to tracking and trending blood glucose levels, especially over a long period of time such as twelve hours. By using the bloodless glucose meter you can have a reading every 20 minutes for up to a 12 hour period and as many as four thousand readings can be stored in memory and viewed at the touch of a button. The bloodless glucose meter can also be set to alert you if your blood sugar gets too high or too low.

Azurite: Developing the Bloodless Glucose Meter

Azurite is a biotech company that is based in San Francisco and was co-founded by Laura Andrews and Kelly Zebrowski. The main aim of this biotech company is to build a non invasive, (or bloodless glucose monitor).

A New approach to Non Invasive Glucose Testing.

Although this goal is quite familiar, Azurite has taken a different and unique approach where the blood glucose level will be measured through an EM (electromagnetic) sensing system. Therefore, the idea is mainly based on the fact that electromagnetic signals bounce off surfaces and return to the source with a pattern that reflects the surface they have encountered.

Just like any other molecules, glucose molecules reflect unique electromagnetic signals based on their electrical properties. Therefore, Azurite also hopes to bounce electromagnetic signals off the glucose molecules in your blood which will return to the device for an interpretation of how much glucose they have encountered.

There are various research groups that have ascertained the blood glucose level successfully by simply observing electrical properties of blood glucose. Moreover, researchers from the University of Missisipi have demonstrated that a micro-strip patch antenna can help determine the blood glucose levels by measuring the electrical properties of the sample. Azurite has drawn from this research and works of other research groups that have examined electrical properties of blood glucose.

Azurite has modeled a fresh approach that will hopefully lead to a non invasive glucose monitoring device that uses electromagnetic technology to measure electrical properties remotely. Moreover the company is determined to make an impact on diabetics by creating a device that combines convenience and the rich data of accurate continuous testing.

Newest Technologies for Bloodless Glucose Meter

Although there are various technologies being used to develop non invasive testing devices including florescent technology, electromagnetic sensing, mid-infrared spectroscopy and ultrasound technology among other technologies, not all have received FDA approval yet. However, the GlucoTrack has already received the CE Mark approval for use in the EU (European Union).

This type of technology is brand new, but definitely does have a secure place in the proper management of diabetes.

Read on here for more info on the bloodless glucose meter.

Understanding the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia refers to a condition caused by low blood glucose levels. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy and a hormone known as insulin aids cells in absorbing and using glucose.

Hypoglycemia typically occurs with several conditions but is most commonly associated with diabetes medications, such as insulin. It is particularly common in individuals with diabetes who also have issues with food, medication, or exercise. However, other drugs and conditions can also cause low levels of blood sugar in people without diabetes. There are two types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia:

Fasting hypoglycemia, which can be linked to a disease or some medications
Reactive hypoglycemia, which typically occurs a few hours after eating a meal

What are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia?

For most people, the symptoms of hypoglycemia usually appear when their blood glucose is 70 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter) or lower. However, this number might vary between individuals and the symptoms can also be different. Common signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Anxiety
Shakiness
Pale skin
Hunger
Sleepiness
Irritability
Numbness of the cheeks, lips or tongue
Irregular or fast heartbeat
Sweating
Crankiness
Dizziness

As the blood sugar level goes lower, symptoms can include:

Confusion
Loss of consciousness, passing out
Seizures
Blurred vision

Causes of hypoglycemia

Possible causes in people with diabetes

People with diabetes might not be responsive to insulin (type 2 diabetes) or they might not make enough of it (type 1 diabetes). This causes glucose to accumulate in the blood stream to high levels. Therefore, most people with diabetes take medications such as insulin to correct this problem by lowering blood sugar levels.

However, too much insulin may cause blood glucose levels to drop to extremely low levels, causing hypoglycemia. Other factors that can cause hypoglycemia include eating less than you normally do especially after taking diabetes drugs, or exercising more than usual.

Possible causes in people without diabetes

Causes of hypoglycemia in people without diabetes include:

Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking without eating blocks the liver from releasing glucose, causing hypoglycemia.
Medications: Taking oral diabetes medication without a prescription is one of the possible causes of hypoglycemia. Various medications, such as quinine can also cause hypoglycemia in people with kidney failure or in children.
Long-term starvation: Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, might result in low blood glucose levels.
Some illnesses: Liver illnesses such as severe cirrhosis or hepatitis can cause low blood glucose levels and ultimately hypoglycemia. Some severe kidney illnesses can also cause hypoglycemia by keeping the body from excreting medications and causing a buildup of medications which can affect glucose levels.
Hormone deficiencies: Some pituitary tumor and adrenal gland disorders can cause a deficiency of hormones that are responsible for regulating glucose production. In children, hypoglycemia can occur if they have extremely low levels of growth hormone.
Insulin overproduction: Insulinoma (tumor of the pancreas) can cause excessive insulin release, which can result in hypoglycemia. Various other tumors can also result in overproduction of insulin-like substances in the body. Enlargement of pancreas cells can cause overproduction of insulin, causing hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia after meals

Although hypoglycemia typically occurs when you’ve not eaten, this is not always the case. Sometimes the symptoms can occur after eating certain foods high in sugar, triggering the body to producing more insulin than needed. This condition is known as postprandial hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia and it can occur in people who have undergone stomach bypass surgery. However, it can also occur in individual who haven’t undergone this surgery.

Hypoglycemia Complications

If untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to:

Weakness and dizziness
Loss of consciousness
Seizure
Injuries
Falls
Motor vehicle accidents
Greater risk of dementia particularly in older adults
Death

What is Hypoglycemia Unawareness

Recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia can cause hypoglycemia unawareness, a condition whereby the body no longer produces symptoms that warn of low blood sugar level, such as irregular heartbeats and shakiness. As a result, the risk of severe hypoglycemia increases.

For people with diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness, their doctors might recommend blood sugar awareness training, raise their blood sugar level goals and modify treatment.

Under treated Diabetes

For people with diabetes episodes of hypoglycemia can be frightening and uncomfortable. This fear can cause them to modify their treatment without consulting a physician, which can cause uncontrolled diabetes. Hypoglycemia can be a life-threatening condition. Moreover, you should not change your medication dose without consulting your doctor.

Therefore, it’s extremely important to seek medical attention if you experience the symptoms of hypoglycemia or if hypoglycemia is not responding to treatment, whether you have diabetes or not.

Read more about dealing with HYPOS and HYPERS in diabetes!