A glucometer is a small, portable device that analyzes a sample of your blood to measure glucose concentrations. These meters contribute to effective management of diabetes. By measuring the concentration of glucose in finger prick samples, you can detect diabetic problems when you are sick, monitor the effects of your diet on your blood sugar and detect the onset of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when your blood glucose levels fall too low. You can detect the onset of hypoglycemia if the glucose reading on your glucometer falls below 70 milligrams per decimeter. This condition occurs when there is more insulin in the body than it needs at the time. An abundance of insulin may be because of an overproduction of it by the body. If you are taking insulin by injection, hypoglycemia may occur if you administer a dose that is too high. If you have diabetes, you should test for low blood glucose levels if you have not eaten on time, have eaten less than usual, have had more physical activity than usual or if you have been drinking alcohol. Low blood glucose will continue until you balance it with food.
Sickness
People with diabetes must keep a close eye on their blood sugar levels when they are sick because even a minor cold can make diabetes harder to control. Glucometers are very important to use during periods of sickness to detect diabetes symptoms, and the National Institutes of Health recommends monitoring your blood sugar more frequently, such as every two to four hours, when you are sick. Untreated diabetes symptoms can lead to serious health problems if they are not treated quickly enough. Diabetes warning signs include high blood sugar that will not come down with treatment as well as low blood sugar that will not rise after you eat. Nausea and vomiting are also warning signs that warrant a call to a medical professional for diabetes sufferers who are also sick. If you become dehydrated when you are sick, drink sugar-free fluids such as water to rehydrate. If you are dehydrated and your blood sugar is low, drink orange, apple or grapefruit juice to both rehydrate and raise your blood sugar level.
Diet
Because what you eat directly effects your blood sugar, you must pay close attention to your diet if you have diabetes. By using a glucometer, you can monitor the effect of different foods on your blood sugar. People with diabetes should eat a well-balanced diet that is low in fat and sugar, high in fiber and includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. An unhealthy diet may lead to weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you manage your diabetes.
