Learn About Diabetes Management and Treatment Options

If you or a loved one has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you know the importance of managing the condition. Without monitoring and treatment, diabetes can lead to complications such as vision problems, nerve damage, kidney disease and stroke.

Read on to learn about common diabetes treatments and find helpful information about how to stay ahead of the illness. Just keep in mind that you cannot treat diabetes on your own, and you should consult with a doctor before making any treatment decisions.

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How to Monitor Your Blood Sugar the Easy Way

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If you have diabetes, staying on top of your normal blood sugar levels is essential, especially if you are taking insulin or medications that stimulate insulin production. This means you will probably need to monitor your blood sugar a few times every day.

Monitoring your blood sugar will help you to:

  • Find out if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low.
  • Determine how diabetes medication, diet and exercise affect your blood sugar levels.

There are two main ways to monitor your glucose:

Traditional Glucose monitor: You use a small pin called a lancet to draw blood from your finger and add it to a glucose test strip. The monitoring system will then read the test strip to determine your glucose levels. Some monitors let you draw blood from other places, such as your arm, instead of your finger.

An example of a traditional glucose monitoring system is the One Touch Verio Glucose Meter. The Fora 6 Ketone Meter is a traditional glucose meter that also monitors ketones.

Continuous glucose monitor: With a continuous monitor, you will have a small sensor under your skin that will monitor your blood sugar all the time. This will prevent you from having to use lancets and test strips. Some examples of continuous glucose monitoring systems include the Freestyle Libre and the Medtronic Guardian CGM.

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By Admin