Diabetic test strips or Diabetic Meter and Lancets are part of a diabetic's life

Diabetic meters, often called Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) tools, are small battery-operated devices that Diabetics use to measure their blood sugar levels. There are over 25 types of diabetes meters available. If you have been recently diagnosed with Diabetes and are now looking for the right meter for you, understanding how they work can help you make the best choice. Your doctor can also assist you in finding the perfect meter.

Lancing devices and lancets are used to get a drop of blood for blood sugar testing and monitoring. These tools pierce the finger and draw the blood to be tested. Below are a range of lancets that are less painful because the piercing device is very thin, polished, and spring-loaded.

Blood glucose test strips are part of the method that is used to measure blood glucose levels. The test strip is placed in a blood glucose meter to read your blood glucose levels by having blood dropped on them or drawn into them. Some of the blood glucose test strips below are meant to be paired with specific meters, while others can be paired with the meter of your choice. Now, some meters use blood sampling discs that are loaded once for multiple tests.

Blood Sugar Testing

Blood sugar testing and blood glucose monitors is important for diabetics because their bodies do not process blood sugars properly. Since a diabetic cannot break down sugar molecules, the sugar cannot be absorbed by the muscles and organs and stored for later use as energy. Learn more about sugar molecules interactively. 

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a serious condition in which a person has a dangerously low amount of glucose in their bloodstream. Remember glucose is the fuel of the brain cells and the body’s cells. The real danger is the brain is running out of fuel. It will shut down if quick action is not taken. Many Diabetics are well aware of the risks and they use Diabetes Insulin Pump of having too much glucose in their blood stream (hyperglycemia), but some are unaware that having too little glucose is also dangerous.

Diabetic Coma

A Diabetic coma is a condition in which a diabetic lapses into a coma due to complications relating to diabetes. In most cases, low blood sugar is the primary reason why an otherwise health patient might lapse into a coma as a result of Diabetes. However, other conditions, such as ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma occur.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Low blood sugar (also known as Hypoglycemia)is a condition found in Diabetics that is characterized by low blood glucose. When your blood sugar level drops well below normal, your muscles and brain are starving for the energy they get from glucose to function properly. Low blood sugar is most often a side effect of insulin and other Type 2 Diabetes medications.

Emergency Glucose/Glucagon Kits

All Diabetics that use insulin and diabetic strips, especially children with Type 1 Diabetes, should have access to an emergency glucose kit, also known as a Glucagon Emergency Kit. When a Diabetic misses a dose of insulin, takes too much insulin, or, for any reason, has a very low blood sugar level, the person can lose consciousness and go into shock.

Click here For: Diabetes Test Strips and Blood Sugar Meters