Monitoring blood glucose is the most common and reliable method of diabetes self-monitoring. Some families with diabetes have purchased their own rapid glucose meters (blood glucose meters for short). Various brands of blood glucose meters are currently on the market, with prices ranging from a few hundred to two thousand dollars, and the test results are reliable if operated correctly. This method allows frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose to keep abreast of your condition.
Through observation, we feel that some matters need to remind the users of blood glucose meters to pay attention to.
1.How much is appropriate to keep the blood glucose value
As the blood glucose of diabetic patients fluctuates greatly, in the process of treatment, it is generally impossible to require their blood glucose level to reach the level of normal people, so as long as it reaches fasting blood glucose 4.0~7.8mmol/L (70~140mg/dl), two hours after meal blood glucose 6.0~10.0mmol/L (108~180mg/dl), any random time blood glucose: 10.0 mmol/L or less (180mg/dl), and at the same time no hypoglycemia, it can be considered good blood glucose control. Due to individual differences, blood glucose control goals vary from person to person, and it is necessary for patients to consult with their community general practitioners at any time to determine the appropriate range of blood glucose according to their condition. Since elderly people are prone to hypoglycemia, the blood glucose standard set can be slightly higher. Pregnant women with diabetes should have their blood sugar strictly controlled within the standard range for the healthy development of the fetus.
2.When is it appropriate to monitor
Many old diabetic patients are aware of the need to monitor fasting or pre-meal and two-hour post-meal blood glucose. Specifically
1. Fasting blood glucose: refers to the blood glucose value measured by overnight fasting for more than 8 hours and before breakfast. The blood glucose measured before lunch and dinner cannot be called fasting blood glucose.
2.Pre-meal blood glucose: refers to the blood glucose measured before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. Two-hour postprandial blood glucose: the blood glucose measured two hours after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4.Random blood glucose: blood glucose measured at any time of the day, such as before bedtime, midnight, etc.
3.How much frequency of monitoring is appropriate
The time and frequency of blood glucose monitoring can be decided by yourself after discussing with your community general practitioner. When your blood glucose is often high recently, you should monitor fasting and two-hour postprandial blood glucose, which can reflect the level of your elevated blood glucose more accurately. When you have had frequent hypoglycemia recently, it is a good idea to monitor your pre-meal and nighttime blood glucose. You can try to take 4 to 6 blood glucose measurements at different times of the day at intervals to understand the pattern of blood glucose changes in 24 hours a day. For patients with more stable blood glucose control, the interval of blood glucose monitoring can be longer. However, the frequency of monitoring should be increased for people with large fluctuation of blood glucose recently, and for patients who are treated with insulin, newly diagnosed with diabetes, have unstable blood glucose control recently, have hypoglycemia recently, change medication or adjust dose, pregnancy, have various life stress situations such as illness, surgery, sports, going out, drinking alcohol, etc. In addition, it is very dangerous to have hypoglycemia when driving, so it is very necessary to monitor blood sugar before driving.
4.How to monitor blood sugar 2 hours after meal
The purpose of monitoring blood glucose 2 hours after meal is to check whether the current diet, medication and other treatment plans can control blood glucose well. Therefore, when monitoring blood glucose after meal, only when eating and taking medication as usual can the daily blood glucose control situation be reflected correctly. It is wrong for someone to purposely stop taking medication on the day of monitoring blood sugar. The two hours after meal starts from the first bite of meal, and is accurate to the minute, using the same meter, not from the middle or the end of the meal.
5. The operation method of self-monitoring blood glucose
Adjust the code of the blood glucose meter so that it is the same as the code of the test paper you are using. Note that the test paper purchased at different times has different codes, so you must adjust the code of the blood glucose meter first.
Wash your hands and disinfect the finger for blood collection with alcohol.
Droop your arm for 30 seconds to allow adequate blood flow to your finger.
Put the blood collection needle into the finger pricking pen, select the puncture depth according to the skin thickness of the finger, and prick the finger to take an appropriate amount of blood.
After the blood glucose meter instructs to take blood, put a drop of blood on the indication hole of blood glucose test paper.
Insert the blood glucose test strip into the blood glucose meter. Note that some blood glucose meters need to insert the test paper into the blood glucose meter first, and then put the blood drop on the test paper.
After a few seconds or ten seconds, read out the blood glucose value from the blood glucose meter.
Record the blood glucose value and monitoring time on the record book.
6.Cautions for self-monitoring blood glucose
①If the blood volume is not enough, the blood glucose test paper is over the expiration date, the alcohol of finger disinfection is not dry, or the code of blood glucose meter is not adjusted to the same as the test paper, it will affect the accuracy of the test.
②After disinfecting the finger, make sure to wait for the alcohol to evaporate and dry before taking blood.
③The blood collection site should be alternated and rotated, and do not prick a place for a long time to avoid forming scars. It is less painful to collect blood on the side of the finger and the blood volume is sufficient.
④Store used alcohol swabs, needles, etc. properly, and preferably send them to the community health station for disposal centrally.
⑤The blood glucose meter should be placed in a dry and clean place, do not let children and pets touch and play with it.
⑥The blood glucose meter should have after-sale service, and the accuracy of the meter should be corrected regularly at the store where it was purchased or at the place designated by the manufacturer, and the accuracy can also be known by comparing it with the blood test results at the hospital.