If you have a blood glucose meter at home, you need to know how to use the recommended blood glucose meter for yourself. This blood sugar level will help you to have a better health care strategy. The following article will provide you with instructions on how to use a blood glucose meter correctly. We invite you to learn together with MSc Vu Thanh Do.
Overview of the glycemic index
What is the glycemic index?
Blood sugar is the amount of sugar that exists in the blood as glucose. The glycemic index shows the amount of glucose in the blood. This is an indicator of the body’s metabolism. Blood sugar levels vary widely throughout the day. Because this index is influenced by many factors such as meals, drugs, physical activity, sleep, stress, etc.
Controlling blood sugar levels is the key to reducing the risk of diabetes. At the same time, this will help you avoid diabetes complications. Such as: kidney disease, neurological disorder, retinal damage, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Normal blood sugar levels include:
- Random glycemic index: less than 11.1 mmol/l (less than 200 mg/dl).
- Fasting blood sugar: less than 5.5 mmol/l (less than 100 mg/dl).
- Blood sugar index 2 hours after eating: less than 7.8 mmol/l (less than 140 mg/dl).
The above indicators will be a guideline for your reference when applying How to use a blood glucose meter? at home.
The necessary tools and how to use a blood glucose meter
There are different types of blood sugar tests. However, make sure that the tools such as a fine needle, a needle holder (called a lancet), a test blade (attached to the meter), a blood glucose meter, and a cotton swab are clean or soaked in alcohol. An overview of how to check blood sugar is as follows: prick your finger with a small needle called a lancet. Extract a drop of blood onto a test strip (replaced after each measurement) of the meter. Here are specific instructions.
Instructions on how to use a blood glucose meter
Measuring blood sugar regularly and regularly will control the risk of disease. However, when you test multiple times or once a day, you also need to use the device correctly. Remember that standard measuring habits will help you prevent infections, providing accurate results.
Below is the step-by-step process How to use a blood glucose meter? Order:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap. Dry with a clean towel. If you are using a cotton swab moistened with alcohol, allow the area to dry completely before measuring.
- Prepare the needle to attach to the spring end of the device. Adjust the appropriate injection level at the probe stem.
- Use a clean cotton ball to remove the test strip. The blade attached to the machine will have 2 ends. 1 head inserted into the machine. 1 tip in contact with the tip of the finger. Therefore, be sure to close the container tightly to avoid dirt or moisture.
- Squeeze the blood at the tip of your finger with a measuring stick.
- Insert the blood dot meter at the tip of the test strip, making sure the meter has enough blood to read.
- Be careful, do not let the measured skin area touch anything. Apply until the bleeding stops.
- Stop bleeding with a clean cotton ball or cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
- Wait 10 to 20 seconds and read the blood glucose result.
- Make sure the needle and measuring blade are both well wrapped when discarding.
Tips on how to use the blood glucose meter effectively according to the instructions
There are some instructions How to use a blood glucose meter? to get the best results. The following tips will help you with that:
- Always carry the meter with you and the necessary supplies including: measuring blade, needle, alcohol swab, meter and stapler.
- Make sure instruments are not expired and are well maintained. Avoid sunlight and avoid moisture. The best conditions are at room temperature.
- Form the habit of measuring blood sugar on time and regularly. There are many suitable times to measure blood sugar such as on an empty stomach, before and after meals, or before going to bed. Depending on your living time, you can arrange it accordingly. Once you have chosen the right time to measure, you need to build it into a daily habit.
- Follow the correct measuring procedure to avoid infection. Do not share measuring equipment with anyone to avoid infection. Dispose of materials such as needles and blades after each use carefully. Wait until the bleeding has stopped completely.
- Record the measurement results again every day.
How to prevent finger pain?
Health professionals often recommend that you measure your blood sugar from time to time. But frequent measurements can cause finger pain. Hay How to use a blood glucose meter? Wrong will also cause pain. But don’t worry too much. Here easyhealthylive.com will suggest ways to prevent this situation.
- Do not reuse the needle and blade after using it once. They can cause serious infections, making your fingers sore..
- Prick the side of the finger instead of the palm of the hand. Because pressing on the fingertips can cause much more pain.
- Avoid squeezing your fingertips to get more blood. Instead, you can let go of your finger to allow the blood to pool.
- Do not test on the same finger each time. It is recommended to change the measurement in other fingers. If the finger is painful, do not measure on that finger until the pain is gone.
- Hands should be washed with warm water before measuring to increase blood flow to the finger.
- If your finger pain comes back again and again, you need to see a doctor for advice. It is possible to change the measuring position or change the appropriate measuring device.
How do I know if my blood sugar is properly measured or not?
After measuring you need to compare the measurement results with the index of the previous days. At the same time, you should compare with the standard normal index. If the reading is unusually high or low, you need to take the measurement again at another time on the same day. Then, record and compare in the same way as above. If the readings have returned to the previous times, it is possible that the time when you measured was after eating or due to other effects such as stress… If in doubt about this measurement, you need to have the device under warranty before using it again. In most cases the meter will give accurate results.
How to use a blood glucose meter? pretty simple. However, you need to remember to ensure absolute hygiene when using. Checking blood sugar properly will give accurate results and limit maximum infections. The results of regular blood glucose measurements should be compared. If any of these indicators are abnormal, you need to see a doctor and get treatment soon. Hope this article has provided you with useful information.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
