Diabetes | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

The Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor

The continuous blood glucose monitor is a bit of new technology that may someday revolutionize the treatment and monitoring of those with blood glucose abnormalities brought about by the metabolic diseases known as diabetes. For anyone with diabetes the key to keeping the disease under control and the effects and symptoms in check is to maintain a blood glucose level that is as close to normal as possible, for as much of the time as possible. In some diabetics maintaining proper blood glucose levels may be no trouble at all, and in others blood glucose levels can fluctuate very rapidly. It is in those with rapid swings in blood glucose levels, or particularly hard to maintain blood glucose levels that the continuous blood glucose monitor really comes into its own.

The continuous blood glucose monitor of today, such as the glucowatch, is usually worn on the wrist like a wristwatch. The monitor checks blood glucose levels by administering a painless electric shock which draws interstitial fluid from the pores and this is read by the monitor to obtain a blood glucose level. This testing can be done with no pain or other side effects as often as every 20 minutes and the readings are recorded by the monitor, which can also be set to alarm if readings are too high or too low. With this kind of continuous sampling tracking and trending changes in blood glucose levels throughout the day is relatively easy.

While the present generation continuous blood glucose monitor cannot replace the finger stick blood glucose reading for spot on accuracy and dependability and should not be relied on as the only source of blood glucose level data, companies such as Abbott and Medtronic are diligently working on improving the technology. One day soon, the diabetic will be able to simply strap on their continuous blood glucose monitor and never have to suffer through another irritating finger stick to keep track of their blood glucose level.

Low Blood Glucose Levels

For an ever increasing number of people low blood glucose levels are a real concern. The number of people diagnosed with heart disease, hypertension, and many forms of cancer, has been fairly steady or even slightly declining in recent years, but the number of people with diabetes continues to skyrocket. For those with diabetes low blood glucose levels can be just as much of a concern as high blood glucose levels due to the simple fact the for the body to operate at optimum levels the blood glucose generally needs to stay somewhere between 60 and 10 mg/dl. Diabetes is the number one cause of abnormal blood glucose levels due to the way it affects the way the body is able to metabolize the glucose that is taken in as food.

Glucose is a type of sugar that the body gets from carbohydrates, sugars, and fatty foods that are consumed. Glucose is important because it is used by each cell of the body as a source of fuel, and when glucose levels fall the body begins to shut down just as surely as a car shutting down when the fuel tank is empty. For most diabetics there is a fine line between too much and too little glucose, and they must check their glucose several times a day in order to balance their medication dosage and diet to keep glucose within healthy levels. All it takes is one misjudgment in insulin dosage, or one forgotten meal or snack to cause blood glucose levels to plummet to the point that the diabetic will lose consciousness and could even die without prompt treatment.

If you or someone you know is a diabetic the only way to keep from suffering from low blood glucose levels is by staying on top of your glucose checks, keeping your diet right, and following your doctors recommendations. You surely don’t want to be on a long trip when your car runs out of gas, and you don’t want to allow your body to suffer from lack of fuel.

Diabetic Testing Meters

Diabetic testing meters are a device usually referred to as a glucometer. Diabetic testing meters are designed to read the level of glucose, or sugar, in a drop of blood so that the blood sugar level can be tracked.

The use of diabetic testing meters is pretty simple and straight forward. To use the machine a special test strip is placed in the machine, then a drop of blood is collected by pricking the skin (usually on the finger) with a lancet, the drop of blood is placed on the test strip and the machine “reads” the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Though there is a huge variety of different makes and models of diabetic testing meters on the market, they all work in virtually the same way, some may require a little smaller drop of blood and some may “read” the sugar level quicker than the others, but the basic principal remains the same.

Diabetes testing meters have become quite common since one of the chief concerns in the proper management of diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. With the use of the glucometer the diabetic patient can check their blood sugar quickly, and almost painlessly in the convenience of their own home. The ease of use of the diabetes testing meters makes it possible for the blood sugar to be tested many times per day so that the blood sugar levels can be manipulated via dietary changes or medication administration.

The key to the proper treatment of diabetes lies in the ability to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. While insulin and other medications and dietary changes can be used to manipulate blood sugar levels, without the humble diabetes testing meterss this would be an impossible task.

Diabetic Foot Massager – Essential Item!

Is there anything else that can feel better after a long hard day at work than a 20 minute session relaxing with your feet on a diabetic foot massager?

Using a foot spa or a diabetic foot massager are both great ways to relieve and pamper your tense muscles, sooth those aches and pains associated with long periods of standing, walking, or just daily activities that cause discomfort for the feet.

Diabetics are more susceptible to foot problems than healthy people which in turn means if they get a cut, ulcer or blister it can lead to infection which if left untreated can cause permanent life threatening problems, lead to amputation and in the worst case, even death!

Diabetic Foot Massager – So Many Varieties!

A diabetic foot massager is available in all shapes, sizes and price ranges and make a great gift for anyone who is diabetic. One of my favorites I must admit, is the ‘Electric Muscle Stimulation’ variety. You just sit and relax, place your feet on the device where indicated and tiny pulses of electricity stimulate the nerves in the feet and legs. Of course there are adjustments so you would have it on a very mild pulse to start out with while you are getting used to the sensation. The action of nerve stimulation improves your blood flow and which then improves your circulation.

Other benefits of the Foot Massager…

Improves muscle strength
Reduces swelling
Slows down muscle wasting
And improves flexibility

Manual Diabetic Foot Roller

This is a cute little device I love also, because you can take it everywhere with your. Small and compact, doesn’t take up much room, perfect for traveling and even better when you sit back and get your partner to use it on your feet!

It’s very important to realize that it is quite common that even increasing age, does bring about issues with poor circulation and blood flow. Diabetes or not! We are probably all going to experience some level of the problems outlined above at some stage. We can all improve our circulation by more regular exercise and taking a closer look at what you eat.

Read more about how to treat diabetic foot pain treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy. HERE

Normal Glucose Readings

Everyone, it seems, is counting some type of medical readings these days, from counting carbs, to cholesterol levels, normal glucose readings, there is always a new number to be tracked and trended and kept as close to normal as possible. Of all the things that are tracked and trended nowadays there is possibly nothing more important to an ever growing number of people than normal glucose readings. The number of people who suffer the ill effects of hypertension and heart disease are actually on the decline, but the number of diabetics continues to increase daily and normal glucose readings are, for the diabetic, the key to a long and trouble free life.

When it comes to determining exactly what normal blood glucose levels are, the normally accepted range of 80-110 mg/dl can be influenced by such factors as body weight, age, and underlying health conditions. The only real way for an individual to find out exactly what their normal glucose readings should be is to consult with their doctor. It should be noted, however, that low glucose readings can be just as detrimental as high glucose readings, extremes in either direction could lead to coma or even death. The only good glucose readings are those within the normal range for the individual.

For those who have suffered from diabetes for years and those newly diagnosed organizations like to American Diabetes Association can be invaluable resources for information and support regarding the disease. Many companies now offer free glucometers to those who need them. Awareness of the risks and treatments of diabetes is being raised in the public eye like never before. Research continues into finding a cure for diabetes. Never before has it been easier or more important for the diabetic to maintain normal glucose readings than it is today.