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Managing
Diabetes
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Diabetic Supplies: Basic or
High-Tech?
 Once you or a loved one has
been diagnosed with diabetes
you should arm yourself with a
variety of tools to help
achieve and maintain normal
blood sugars. Diabetic
supplies range from the
mundane to the latest
technological marvels. Whether
you prefer simple, no-frills
care or choose tools with all
the bells and whistles, using
diabetic supplies that are
convenient and reliable is
important. Without the basics,
you won’t have enough
information to make decisions
relevant to your care.
Blood Glucose Monitors
A good blood glucose
monitor is one of the most
important essentials to
self-management of diabetes.
Knowing your current blood
sugar reading will allow you
to make good choices when
caring for yourself. If your
reading is high, you may
choose to delay eating or take
additional insulin. On the
other hand, if you're low,
you'll have an idea of how
much carbohydrate to eat to
bring your blood sugar level
back to normal. The thought of
having to convert to eating a
diabetic diet can be
intimidating, especially to
someone who is newly diagnosed
with diabetes. After all, what
makes a recipe appropriate for
a person with diabetes? What's
the best way to meet
nutritional needs without
compromising taste,
convenience, and pleasure?
Take heart! You can follow
diabetic recipes, eat well,
and still avoid the roller
coaster pitfalls of low blood
sugar and high blood sugar. |
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Lancing Devices and
Lancets
The lancing devices
used to poke your
finger to obtain a
drop of blood for your
blood glucose monitor
are included with the
monitor purchase. The
lancet is the small
sharp metal piece that
actually pokes the
finger. Lancets come
in a variety of forms,
some of which are
interchangeable among
lancing devices.
The gauge of the
lancet needle may be
your most important
consideration. The
lancet in your
finger-poke device
should be changed
frequently to avoid
contamination or
unnecessary damage to
your fingertip.
Insulin Delivery
Now that you've
tested your blood
sugar, it's time to
deliver the
appropriate amount of
insulin. Is it better
to use a syringe, an
insulin pen or an
insulin |
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Non-Invasive Glucose Monitors
Researchers are developing and perfecting technology that will give accurate blood sugar readings without requiring a droplet of blood. One such monitor currently available is the Glucowatch® by Cygnus. A watch-like device is worn on the wrist and reads blood sugar values every twenty minutes. |
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pump? Traditional injections
with a syringe are quick,
straightforward, and
relatively inexpensive.
Insulin jet injectors, which
use pressure rather than a
needle, may be a good option
for someone strongly opposed
to syringes. Some claim that a
jet injector is less painful
than a needle.
Insulin Pens
An insulin pen works
essentially the same as a
syringe, but has pre-filled
insulin cartridges. It looks
similar to a fountain pen and
is more inconspicuous than a
vial and syringe or jet
injector. This means that it's
relatively easy to administer
an injection in a public place
without drawing attention. The
insulin pen may also be more
user-friendly than a syringe
for the vision impaired.
Insulin Pumps
Insulin pumps are among
the latest technology
available for insulin
delivery. A small infusion set
is inserted into the skin and
attached to the pump by a
long, thin tube. The insulin
pump is programmed for the
individual and delivers minute
amounts of basal insulin on an
on-going basis.
With the push of a few
buttons, additional insulin is
delivered on demand to cover
food or high blood sugar
levels. While more complex
than multiple daily
injections, many pump wearers
(adults and children) have
become strong advocates of
this method of insulin
delivery. |
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*Deductibles and
co-payments apply |
