Four of the Most Common Diabetic Supplies

If you’re one of the nearly 30 million Americans who have some form of diabetes, you know how important regular testing is as a component of a healthy lifestyle. Those who don’t have to deal with this disease on a daily basis might find themselves curious about the various devices and techniques used to manage this condition. You can click here to see the full lineup of diabetic supplies from an online supplier like Arriva Medical, but here is a brief overview of four of the most common items used by diabetics.

Test Strips

This item is probably the most important of all testing materials for those who suffer from diabetes, as they help detect the amount of glucose in a drop of blood. Earlier models worked by using a dye that was proportionately released based on the amount of sugar in a given sample, but today’s designs feature electrochemical reactions that convert sugars into electrical current, which allows for a much more accurate reading.

Glucose Meter

While test strips are an integral part of the testing process, they wouldn’t do a lick of good without a way to decipher the information that they provide. With that in mind, glucose meters are another of the more significant diabetic supplies because they make blood sugar levels easy to read and understand. While the designs run the gamut from simple to extremely elaborate, they all pretty much perform the same basic function by translating the electrical current from each strip into a number that’s displayed on the screen. Some models even speak the information to the user, which is important for people who may have lost their sight from this disease.

Lancing Devices

Testing glucose levels does require several small draws of blood each day, but you don’t want to do it in a manner that causes undue discomfort or permanent scarring. Lancets are extremely thin needles that allow the user to discretely prick the skin to provide access to capillaries. For those who have an aversion to pushing a needle through the skin’s surface, lancing devices automate the process so you can look away while it does its work with a disposable lancet.

Tracking Logs

The information gathered from your daily testing is important, but you have to take the next step to figure out what to do with that data. By keeping a detailed log of your various glucose tests, you can look for trends that show up at various points during the day, or even keep a record of how your body responds to different foods. Armed with this knowledge, you can live your life by managing this condition instead of letting it dictate the way that you live.

Important Materials for Optimum Health

When you suffer from diabetes, regular testing must become part of your daily regimen. If you’re a friend or family member of a sufferer, hopefully this basic knowledge about diabetic supplies can help you understand how your loved one manages his or her condition. As the number of Americans diagnosed with this affliction continues to increase, the love and support of friends and relatives will continue to be a resource with value that can’t be understated. arrivamedical.com