Medicare Diabetes Glucose Meter Diagnosed Diabetes Diabetes Information  
Medicare Diabetes Medicare Diabetic Medicare Diabetic

Diabetes Supplies for Diabetics

Diabetics rely on their diabetes supplies to help them control the disease and measure their progress. Unfortunately, diabetes has no cure. The good news, however, is that it is a disease that people can live with for a long time and, when controlled, have very few limitations. Proper use of diabetes supplies helps a person monitor and control their disease, allowing them to live their lives normally.

After being diagnosed with diabetes, the management of the disease is the most important step. If the disease is kept in check the onset of complications related to diabetes can be delayed, or even prevented. The proper diabetes supplies are the key to managing the disease.

Diabetes supplies cover several categories. These categories include all the supplies needed to monitor blood sugar levels, along with protein and ketone levels, and those used to manage blood sugar levels, as well as the supplies used to deliver those products.

Blood glucose meters

Save & Share Article

Blood glucose meters are the hub of all testing supplies. They are used for day to day testing of blood glucose levels. They can be used to test, on the spot, how the body reacts to a certain food, or meal, and whether current medications are controlling blood sugar spikes. These devices come in various configurations but all need a small blood supply, placed on a strip and placed in the meter, to measure glucose in the blood.

Blood Testing Strips

Testing strips and lancets are essential pieces in the glucose measuring process. The test strips come in several different forms but all require blood to be placed on them to be read by the meter. Lancets are used to pierce the skin to allow for blood draw. The lancet is usually "fired" by a device to facilitate skin puncture. There are still a few brands that require the force for penetration to come from the person doing the stick, and these are often glass. Lancets and test strips are disposable, single use diabetes supplies.

Logs, journals and tracking software help the diabetic keep track of the day to day flow of their blood glucose control. This is important in defining trends that may develop, or specific foods that affect blood sugar. Physicians like to use this to assess the person's compliance and effectiveness of medications or other interventions. These may be small, pocket sized books, spreadsheet style software for computers or even software designed for palm pilots or other handheld devices.

Hemoglobin A1c Home Test Kits

Control solution, urine test strips, and hemoglobin A1c home test kits round out the testing supply group. These give the diabetic additional tools to measure the success, or lack of, in their management plan.

The medications used to control blood sugars are also a part of diabetes supplies. These are usually prescribed by a physician and may be administered orally, in pill form, or through a needle and syringe. The needles are generally one-half to 3/16 inch in length and 28-31 gauge in diameter. Insulin is commonly used in diabetes control and can be delivered subcutaneously, with a needle, or through an insulin pump. Because the needles are single-use, disposable they need to be disposed of in approved sharps disposal containers. Alcohol wipes are important for preparing the injection site.

Diabetes supplies are essential for the monitoring and control of the disease. When choosing diabetes supplies it is important to find ones that are easy to use, to ensure compliance. Similarly, it is important to find a supplier who is trustworthy and easy to work with, to make the ordering and delivery of supplies as painless as possible.

Diabetes Supply

Related Info: diabetes supplies diabetes testing supplies diabetes information diabetes products blood glucose meter blood glucose monitoring insulin pumps lancets A1c Test test strips

Copyright © 2006. Totally Diabetes All Rights Reserved