Monitoring Blood Sugar Level

Monitoring blood sugar level is very necessary part of a diabetic patient’s day to day life. Blood glucose monitoring is basically a specific way of testing the exact concentration of glucose present in the blood i.e. glycemia. It is very important for the patients with diabetes mellitus.

Monitoring Blood Sugar Level

This test is performed by piercing the skin especially on the finger. The blood drawn from the finger is then applied to a chemically active disposable called ‘test-strip'.
Different companies use different technology, but mostly electrical characteristic measurement is used to monitor the glucose level in the blood.
Healthcare professionals suggest buying appropriate monitoring instrument for regular use.
People with Type 2 diabetes should test their blood glucose level at least once per day. Diabetic patients who use insulin usually and have to test their blood sugar can monitor the level more often, one time prior to their insulin dose.

When to Monitoring Blood Sugar Level?

How often one should test their sugar level normally depends upon different factors including which type of diabetes the patient has, individual diabetes treatment plan, and also how well one can maintain their blood sugar level.

Type 1 Diabetes: Doctors may recommend the testing at least 3 times a day, including before and after meal, before and after exercise and before going to bed. It is also important to check the blood sugar level when you are ill or changing your daily routine.
Type 2 Diabetes: When one is taking insulin to manage type 2 diabetes, the doctor may recommend blood sugar testing 1-3 times a day, depending on the quantity of insulin doses one takes. If type 2 diabetes is managed by medications or with diet and exercise alone, then there is no need of frequent blood sugar level testing.

Nowadays, improved technology for monitoring blood sugar level is rapidly changing. A blood glucose meter is known to be an electronic device for measuring the quantity of blood glucose level. It needs only a small drop of blood for the meter. Although the price of blood glucose meters seem to be high, it is important for avoiding medical costs of the complicate conditions of diabetes.

Recent Technology for Monitoring Blood Sugar Level

'Alternate Site Testing': In this technology, blood drops from other places than the finger is used which is normally the palm or forearm. This alternate site testing is used in the same test strips and meter. It is known to be pain free and gives needed break to the finger tips if they become sore. The disadvantage of this technique is only a presence of less blood flow from this sites which may give faulty result.
'No Coding' Technology: As we all know, older systems require 'coding' of the strips to the meter. There is miscoding risk involved leading to inaccurate results. The new technology provides 'auto coded' system, and some involves ‘single code' system which avoids the risk of miscoding.
'Multi-Test' Systems: This system uses a sealed unit or a disc containing many test strips. The advantage of this is that there is no need of loading strip which is very convenient and so testing becomes quicker.
'Downloadable' Meters: This system contains software that allows the user to download the results to a computer. This information can be used for health care professional guidance and to improve diabetes management. This meter requires a connection cable, or sometimes designed to plug directly into the computer system.

A normal blood glucose monitor (CGM) detects blood glucose levels on a continuous basis. This system is made up of-

A disposable glucose sensor which is situated just under the skin, which is worn for a few days.
A link commencing the sensor to a non-implanted transmitter which can communicate to the radio receiver.
An electronic receiver worn like a pager or insulin pump that can display blood glucose levels with continuous updates, along with the monitor’s rising and falling tendency.

This continuous monitoring can show how the blood sugar level reacts to exercise, insulin, food, and other factors.

The SMSI Glucose Sensor
The Animas Glucose Sensor
The Dexcom LTS (long term system)

These are the products newly coming into the market for monitoring blood sugar level of a person.