Diabetes is a very serious disease that affects people of all ages. Proper treatment or medication is important in maintaining blood glucose levels. It’s extremely important for diabetic patients to get proper care to help manage their condition and thereby lead a full and satisfying life. Keeping in line with that, diabetic supplies are now available in almost any drug store. These supplies help people maintain their blood sugar and treat their condition.
Regular trips to the doctor’s office for blood tests used to be the only way to monitor a patient’s blood sugar levels. There are now many devices on the market that allow individuals to take their own tests at home. These are called one-touch self-test kits.
These kits come in the form of test strips and blood glucose monitors. One simply places a drop of blood on a test strip and inserts it into a blood glucose monitor. The meter analyzes the blood and generates your blood sugar level. There are two types of meters. One shows a color change and the other provides a digital display of the reading. To pierce the finger to obtain a drop of blood, you use a lancet, which comes with the test kit. These lancets are not interchangeable between kits. A kit will generally cost approximately $65 and $70.
There are a number of options when buying blood glucose monitors. Monitors with built-in memory are available. These help you monitor the sugar levels at any time. Other monitors have a voice system. This voice system leads one through the instructions step-by-step. Still other monitors have a siphon action test strip. This is to help get the blood onto the strip. Some of the brands available are the one touch ultra, the accu-check, the freestyle, and the one-touch-sure-step.
There are also a variety of insulin delivery systems. These include insulin pumps, insulin infusers, pen injectors, jet injectors and the normal syringe. The pumps cost anywhere from $3,500 – $5,000 whereas the pen injectors cost $45-$60. The jet injectors cost approximately $1,000.
It’s important to be very accurate when doing these tests yourself. You should record the reading right away so you can compare it with the doctor’s readings when you go. Be sure to read any accompanying manuals with the equipment so you can be sure to check the strips and meter accurately. Your pharmacist or medical supply company can assist you in the proper operation of the testing device.
