Doctors’ usual advice to people with Type-II diabetes is that they must monitor their blood sugar regularly at home to ensure that they are well within the target range. Keeping a regular check on your blood sugar levels is essential.
Nowadays, everyone tends to keep a glucometer and related accessories in their med-box at home. Although it can be bought from physical stores, the new trend of conveniently buying home medical supplies online is surfacing over. However, with a wide range of glucometers available online, a common dilemma that most people face is which type of device would be ideal for the purpose. Also, many people do not know what their sugar numbers indicate. In this article, we will look at some options and learn how to interpret the result of the blood sugar test.
Should every diabetic person measure his blood sugar regularly?
Not every diabetic person is needed to monitor his blood glucose levels at home. However, it is strongly recommended to consider yourself for a test in case of the following conditions:
- You are undergoing insulin or non-insulin medications that fluctuate your sugar level.
- You are in pregnancy
- You often experience hypoglycemia (lower blood sugar)
- You are struggling to reach your targeted blood sugar level
Why should you test blood sugar regularly?
Monitoring blood sugar levels at home will supplement your diabetes’ treatment plan. Your doctor will record sugar levels in your blood when you consult him, but home monitoring gives a record of fluctuating blood sugar in the rest of the day. With this record, you both will have an idea of what should be your next medication and where to buy medical supplies online.
For example, when the blood sugar increases, you will know that it is the time to ingest insulin. Contrary, if you experience hypoglycemia, you can accordingly reduce your insulin dose. Thus, a regular sugar testing lets you adjust your doses as per what suits your body the best. This ultimately reduces various complications that have the potential to unfold shortly after that.
Which is the right device for testing blood sugar?
Every sugar-testing device in the market falls under the following two categories:
- CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) devices
- SBMG (Self-monitoring Blood Glucose) devices
Let’s know the attributes of each in detail.
SMBG (Self-monitoring Blood Glucose) devices
- SMBG device tests your blood glucose multiple times daily; each time you need to prick your finger to obtain a blood sample.
- Many SMBG devices keep a record of every test result for future reference. Some new ones also send the result details to your smartphone using a mobile application.
- As far as insurance coverage is considered, some SBMG devices are covered under Insurance plans.
CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) devices
- Contrary to an SMBG device, this device measures the blood sugar at fixed intervals spread across the full day.
- These devices have adhesive patches attached to small micro-needle sensors that you place over your skin. The sensors measure the blood sugar level and transfer the results to a mobile application in your smartphone, or any other device that you carry with you.
- Some new CGM devices are attached to insulin pumps to automatically inject insulin in your body when the blood sugar spikes.
- Since these devices are new roll-outs in the market, only a few insurance plans cover them.
Conclusion
Diabetes can leave a deep and permanent scar in the physical and mental print of a person. Carefully and timely checks on sugar levels can undoubtedly minimize the associated risks. Not every diabetic person needs to monitor blood glucose at home. However, if your doctor feels that self-monitoring sugar level at home will take you closer to your targets, then you will have a wide range of options.
CBG and SMBG devices have their own set of pros and cons. CGM devices tend to be more convenient than SMBG devices, as they come with advanced functionalities. You don’t need to take out time from your busy schedule and approach the local pharmacy in this hectic weather, as you can purchase these home medical supplies online, sitting at home at your own convenience. But, before ordering any testing kit, you should take guidance from your doctor on which device to choose, decide where to buy medical supplies online and how to start self-monitoring of blood sugar at home.
