Introduction: What is a Glucometer?
A blood glucose meter is a small, portable device that measures the amount of glucose in the blood-better known as the level of glucose within the blood. This device, in most cases, is called one’s own device, relied on by people with diabetes to help them control their condition and keep their sugar levels within a safe range. One such is the On Call Plus glucometer, which provides fast and accurate results and is convenient enough to make it easy for a person to check his or her blood sugar level at home or on the go.
How Glucometers Work to Measure Blood Glucose Levels
Checking your blood sugar level with a blood glucometer is quick and easy. First, you will prick the side of your fingertip gently with a small lancet to draw up a tiny drop of blood. Next, place the drop onto a test strip and insert it into the glucometer.
On the test strip, there are chemicals that react with the glucose in your blood. When the strip comes into contact with the blood, it initiates a reaction, which the meter will then read. That said, this reaction is now read by the glucometer and interpreted, hence giving you an accurate reading of your blood sugar level within seconds. This allows the individual with diabetes to have one avenue to check his or her blood sugar levels regularly and make appropriate decisions related to his or her diet, exercise, and medication.
Some Essential Features a Glucometer Must Have
Ease of Maintenance
The meter should be easy to clean and simple to use with new test strips. Some meters need to be calibrated with every new batch of strips, whilst others are “no-calibration” types, hence making them more convenient.
Storing Readings
This is also worth considering. Long-term diabetes management requires keeping track of your blood glucose levels. If you’re the type of person who likes to write down the readings by hand, a basic meter will do it. However, if you have trouble keeping track of what’s going on, you should get one that stores your readings in memory. Some meters give you the ability to transfer data to your computer or even send the data by email to your doctor. This would allow sharing and keeping track of your care easily.
Other features that may be helpful are:
1. Audio for the visually impaired.
2. Backlit screens to aid one in reading the results in low light or at nighttime.
3. Memory storage to be able to retain more readings taken over time.
4. Strip storage conveniently built into the meter itself, or USB compatible for easy transfer of data.
Some meters even allow recording of carbohydrate grams as well as insulin doses in addition to glucose readings or even check blood ketone levels.
How to Correctly Use a Glucometer
Glucose meters are easy to use as well as require only a tiny drop of blood to perform a test.
They are portable enough to take with you throughout the day as well as small enough to fit in the bag or purse so you can utilize it anywhere. All glucometers come with an instructional booklet. The instructions that follow are somewhat generic because they may vary slightly depending on your model of glucometer. For example, although fingers are the most common site used for testing, some glucometers allow you to test using your thigh, forearm, or the fleshy part of your hand. You may want to double-check the following with your own user’s manual.
1. Set up all your equipment so that everything is in easy reach, and then cleanse your hands prior to drawing blood:
2. Cleanse your hands or use an alcohol wipe. This will prevent infection, and it will also remove any food residue that might interfere with the results.
3. Dry your skin completely. The moisture can dilute the blood sample, so make sure your hands are dry before testing. Don’t blow on your hands to dry them since that can put germs into the area.
Getting and Testing a Sample: This is a quick procedure, but it is essential to do it correctly so as not to poke yourself more than once.
1. Put a test strip in the glucometer. The screen will show that it is ready for blood on the test strip
2. Hold the lancing device at an angle and press the trigger to the side of your finger, about where your fingernail is. That hurts less than sticking in your fingertips.
3. Squeeze your finger to get a small drop of blood.
4. Place the drop of blood onto the test strip.
5. Dab your finger with the alcohol wipe so it will stop continuing to bleed.
6. Wait just a few seconds for your glucometer reading.
If you are having trouble getting a good sample, warm your hands by placing them under warm water or by rubbing them together.
Record Your Results
Keeping track of your blood sugar readings will help you better manage your diabetes. You can do it by hand, or you can use one of many smartphone apps designed to work with your glucometer to make it easier. Some devices will even store readings directly on the monitor.
Do as your doctor advises with the readings to either adjust your insulin or take carbohydrates to help get your levels up into a healthy range.
With Glucometer, obtain the most efficient and best manner of monitoring your blood sugar levels in order to keep diabetes under control day by day. Using just a small drop of blood will help you get fast and accurate results to lead toward making a treatment decision. The recording of results, either on a basic model or a full-featured model, is key to health management. By following the simple steps for testing and keeping a log of your numbers, you’ll be better equipped to work with your doctor and make informed choices for your well-being.