For people with diabetes, having everything you need to cope with it will allow you to better manage your disease and be less stressed.
Knowing about the treatment of diabetes can help patients have the relevant medical supplies on hand. Whether you are a young person just starting out on your own or new to caring for an older person with diabetes, this article can help you take the first step in the right direction.
Glucose monitoring toolkit
Glucose monitoring kits help patients monitor their blood glucose levels. Most tools include:
- Glucose test strips;
- A monitor that will usually give a reading within 5 seconds;
- A medical carrying case, which also includes insulin, an insulin pen, needle, and alcohol swab if the patient is on insulin;
- Blood collection needle and blood collector;
- Quality control fluid kit to ensure correct meter readings.
Some kits also contain other items, such as clear caps for testing at different parts of the body. All monitors have a memory function that can record historical blood glucose readings and some can calculate daily average blood glucose values.
For some people with diabetes who have vision problems, some monitors also have audible features that can explain how to test the blood glucose and read the results. Some monitors are also designed with larger fonts.
If the kit does not have these features, patients can also have a recorder to record their blood glucose levels.
Essential insulin supplies
Patients who need insulin should have the following items on hand:
- Insulin;
- Syringe, or disposable or reusable insulin pen;
- Needles;
- Sharpener cartridges for safe needle handling;
- Glucose tablets or gels;
- 2 boxes of glucagon injection.
If excess insulin is purchased to reduce costs, store unopened bottles of insulin in the refrigerator until they expire. When you take it out to use it, waiting until the insulin comes to room temperature before injecting it can reduce pain and irritation. Keep the bottle of insulin you are using at room temperature for up to 1 month, after which any leftovers should be thrown away.
Some syringes come with a magnifying glass. This can be placed on the syringe to make it easier for the patient to read the dose and also to make sure the injection is safe.
If a sharps container is not available, used needles can be recapped and placed in a durable opaque plastic bottle and discarded properly.
Glucose pills and gels can help prevent hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar is low and you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, take 3 to 4 tablets or 1 serving of glucose gel. Wait about 15 minutes and test your blood glucose level again. If it is still low, repeat the dose again. Continue testing and treating in the same way until blood glucose levels return to normal.
Glucagon is good for about 1 year, so make sure your family or caregiver knows where to store it and how to give it to the patient if they pass out.
Essential supplies for the insulin pump
If the patient is on an insulin pump, the following items should be available:
- Quick-acting insulin;
- Infusion set;
- Container for storing insulin;
- back-up batteries;
- Emergency syringe or insulin pen in case of insulin pump failure.
Insulin pumps need to be switched to a new pump every few days, so it is a good idea to have a spare infuser on hand. Some diabetes researchers recommend that patients with insulin pumps should keep an emergency syringe or insulin pen and insulin in their bag.
Another important item to keep on hand for people with type 1 diabetes is a home ketone test for urinary ketones or blood ketones.
Carry-on supplies
To keep your blood glucose within normal limits, it’s a good idea to have:
- Glucose tablets or other emergency sugar source;
- a healthy snack to eat between meals;
- Low-sugar beverages (including water) designed to keep the body hydrated.
Keep extra quick-acting sugar in several places, such as in your usual backpack, purse, gym locker room, and car, in case of hypoglycemia. Glucose pills are easy to carry. Other possible sources of sugar include apples, orange juice or plain old soda. Chocolate digests more slowly and is less suitable as a sugar source.
Disaster emergency kit
To prepare for an emergency, patients should carry:
- Medical identification (such as a bracelet, necklace or card) stating that they have diabetes;
- Emergency contact information;
- Emergency supplies.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that people with diabetes stock up on 3 days’ worth of diabetes supplies in case of an emergency such as a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, or blizzard. These supplies include diabetes medications, insulin and insulin supplies, extra batteries and a source of quick-acting glucose, and food and water that will not spoil.
Store these supplies in waterproof containers in an easy to reach place. Keep one set of emergency supplies in your home, one in your office, and one in your car.
Skin care supplies
Diabetes can affect all parts of the body. People with diabetes should prevent dry skin and have wounds treated promptly to help prevent infections and skin conditions. Here are some things to do to care for your skin:
- Use a mild or moisturizing soap;
- Apply a skin moisturizer;
- Store antibiotic ointment or cream (if recommended by your doctor), sterile gauze, tape, or cloth bandages for treating cuts; use a mild shampoo.
Foot care products
People with diabetes need to take good care of their feet to prevent diabetic foot. The following supplies will help:
- Toenail clippers and abrasive plates or nail files;
- Mirrors (if needed) that can be used to check feet daily for cuts or blisters;
- Socks without holes and with soft padding for those with nerve damage in the foot.
Oral care products
People with diabetes are at increased risk for gum disease and other dental conditions, so the following supplies should always be available for daily oral care:
- Toothbrushes with rounded soft bristles are less likely to damage gums, and toothbrushes should be replaced when the bristles wear out, or every 3 months;
- Fluoride toothpaste;
- Floss to remove plaque and food from between teeth and below the gum line;
- An antiseptic mouthwash to rinse the mouth daily.