The testing for blood sugar levels is more rigorous just after the diagnosis of diabetes. Once the diagnosis of diabetes has been established, the measurement of blood sugars does depend on the type of diabetes and treatment.
Individuals who have type 1 diabetes often need to measure the levels anywhere from 3-6 times a day, at least before and after each meal.
Individuals with diabetes who exercise also need to monitor their sugars before and after exercise and just before going to sleep.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes who are ill or have a change in their routine (like traveling), stress or have been diagnosed with other medical disorder may need more frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Individuals with Type 2 diabetes generally require less frequent glucose monitoring. Most of these individuals initially monitor the blood glucose 1-2times day if they are on any type of diabetic medications. Individual who are managing their type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise alone need to monitor their sugars less often.
for more on diabetic supplies, visit www.medexsupply.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
How To Select a blood glucose monitor
In general, there is no good or bad blood glucose monitor. The choice is dependent on a number of factors which include:
Cost: There are many blood glucose monitors. Today, almost every medical supply company has discounts, sells, rebates and trade INS and thus, these devices are affordable by most diabetic individuals. However, the cost is usually comes with the supplies that go with the monitor. There are some insurance companies which do offer some type of medical coverage for the monitor and supplies. Presently Medicare does cover all the costs that can occur with blood glucose monitoring
User friendly: Some blood glucose devices are a lot easier to use than others. The later models only require a tiny blood sample which means that blood can be obtained with a minor skin prick (also less painful). Some also come with a large LCD screen which is useful for people with visual impairment.
Multisite devices are more versatile and allow you to prick your self on other parts of the body rather than the finger tip alone.
Size: For those of you do not like to carry large bags or purses, there are some smaller models which can fit into your pocket
Time: Some blood glucose monitors give you the results in as little as 5-10 seconds and others take about a minute.
Accuracy: All glucose monitors require a drop of blood to be applied on a special strip of paper. While this sounds like a simple concept, the older machines required careful preparation and often were not accurate even if there was only a minor error. The newer automatic machines are more accurate, reliable and do eliminate the errors caused by preparation of the blood sample.
Software: The latest devices have now programmable features like time, date, memory and storage capacity. With a Zip Drive one can download the data from the monitors and add it to the PC. This is important for individuals who have very labile diabetes and require constant adjustment of insulin doses.
If you are not sure what machine is best for you, talk to your health care professional.
For more on blood glucose monitors, please visit www.medexsupply.com. Medexsupply carries a wide range of diabetic supplies including blood glucose monitors (ONE TOUCH Life Scan, Accu-Chek, Ascensia, Prestige), kits, lancets, infusion sets, test strips and glucose tablets.
Cost: There are many blood glucose monitors. Today, almost every medical supply company has discounts, sells, rebates and trade INS and thus, these devices are affordable by most diabetic individuals. However, the cost is usually comes with the supplies that go with the monitor. There are some insurance companies which do offer some type of medical coverage for the monitor and supplies. Presently Medicare does cover all the costs that can occur with blood glucose monitoring
User friendly: Some blood glucose devices are a lot easier to use than others. The later models only require a tiny blood sample which means that blood can be obtained with a minor skin prick (also less painful). Some also come with a large LCD screen which is useful for people with visual impairment.
Multisite devices are more versatile and allow you to prick your self on other parts of the body rather than the finger tip alone.
Size: For those of you do not like to carry large bags or purses, there are some smaller models which can fit into your pocket
Time: Some blood glucose monitors give you the results in as little as 5-10 seconds and others take about a minute.
Accuracy: All glucose monitors require a drop of blood to be applied on a special strip of paper. While this sounds like a simple concept, the older machines required careful preparation and often were not accurate even if there was only a minor error. The newer automatic machines are more accurate, reliable and do eliminate the errors caused by preparation of the blood sample.
Software: The latest devices have now programmable features like time, date, memory and storage capacity. With a Zip Drive one can download the data from the monitors and add it to the PC. This is important for individuals who have very labile diabetes and require constant adjustment of insulin doses.
If you are not sure what machine is best for you, talk to your health care professional.
For more on blood glucose monitors, please visit www.medexsupply.com. Medexsupply carries a wide range of diabetic supplies including blood glucose monitors (ONE TOUCH Life Scan, Accu-Chek, Ascensia, Prestige), kits, lancets, infusion sets, test strips and glucose tablets.
Lancets for Diabetics Part 2
Today, whenever you buy a blood glucose monitor, a lancet device is almost always included in the kit. All lancet devices come with short and long lancet covers which allow for different degree of penetration in the skin. Individual who have thin skin, children or elderly with delicate skin usually need superficial penetration. Those with hard and thick skin need deeper penetration. Sometimes one may have to use a different depth of penetration on different fingers.
Lancet devices are relatively easy to use. The lancet has a snap button which if pushed triggers the device. Lancet devices are relatively cheap. Most important to understand is that these devices or the blades should never be shared. Even though the risk of transmitting serious infections is low, it definitely is real.
Once the lancet is used, it should always be disposed off in a biohazard container. And never use a lancet that has been previously used by someone else.
At Medexsupply we carry a wide range of diabetic supplies including blood glucose monitors, kits, infusion sets, test strips and glucose tablets.
We carry lancets made by Graham Field, Owen Mumford, Surgilance, Sherwood, Bayer, Reliamed and Accu-Chek
Lancet devices are relatively easy to use. The lancet has a snap button which if pushed triggers the device. Lancet devices are relatively cheap. Most important to understand is that these devices or the blades should never be shared. Even though the risk of transmitting serious infections is low, it definitely is real.
Once the lancet is used, it should always be disposed off in a biohazard container. And never use a lancet that has been previously used by someone else.
At Medexsupply we carry a wide range of diabetic supplies including blood glucose monitors, kits, infusion sets, test strips and glucose tablets.
We carry lancets made by Graham Field, Owen Mumford, Surgilance, Sherwood, Bayer, Reliamed and Accu-Chek
Lancets for Diabetics Part 1
Diabetic individuals unfortunately have to monitor their blood glucose levels on a regular basis. The only way to get blood is by piercing the skin with a lancet. Unlike the olden days when the lancets were large and cumbersome, the present day lancets are small, sharp and are much less painful.
Lancets are graded based on their gauge. The gauge essentially refers to width of the metal tip. The higher the gauge, the smaller the knick or perforation the lancet makes. In general, lancets with a higher gauge number are much less painful, but on the other hand since they do not penetrate the skin deep, the amount of blood obtained is much less.
Lancets can be used alone or with a lancing device. Using a lancet alone is painful because the depth of the jab can not be controlled. The lancet devices come with a mechanism such that the knife is suddenly released and retracts. The depth of penetration can also be adjusted. If the skin is thick, one has to allow for deeper penetration. Use of lancet devices is much less painful than using the lancet alone.
Today, whenever you buy a blood glucose monitor, a lancet device is almost always included in the kit. All lancet devices come with short and long lancet covers which allow for different degree of penetration in the skin. Individual who have thin skin, children or elderly with delicate skin usually need superficial penetration. Those with hard and thick skin need deeper penetration. Sometimes one may have to use a different depth of penetration on different fingers.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Lancets are graded based on their gauge. The gauge essentially refers to width of the metal tip. The higher the gauge, the smaller the knick or perforation the lancet makes. In general, lancets with a higher gauge number are much less painful, but on the other hand since they do not penetrate the skin deep, the amount of blood obtained is much less.
Lancets can be used alone or with a lancing device. Using a lancet alone is painful because the depth of the jab can not be controlled. The lancet devices come with a mechanism such that the knife is suddenly released and retracts. The depth of penetration can also be adjusted. If the skin is thick, one has to allow for deeper penetration. Use of lancet devices is much less painful than using the lancet alone.
Today, whenever you buy a blood glucose monitor, a lancet device is almost always included in the kit. All lancet devices come with short and long lancet covers which allow for different degree of penetration in the skin. Individual who have thin skin, children or elderly with delicate skin usually need superficial penetration. Those with hard and thick skin need deeper penetration. Sometimes one may have to use a different depth of penetration on different fingers.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is the disorder of the present century. Almost every race and ethic group is affected by it. This chronic disease has been steadily growing in numbers and is posing serious challenges to our health care system. Among all the ethnic groups in North America, Diabetes is more severe and difficult to control in blacks, Latinos and Asians. The number of Americans who have diabetes is close to 7-9 million which is 4 times the number two decades ago. Infact it is estimated that there are close to a million more individuals who have the disorder but do not know about it. The longer these individuals have a delayed diagnosis, the greater are the chances that they will already have developed irreversible complications of the disease.
Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by high levels of blood glucose. The major problem with type 2 diabetes is that the hormone insulin is either low or not secreted or has problems working at the cellular levels. Insulin is responsible for lowering the blood glucose. When the blood glucose levels stay elevated for prolonged periods, one can develop serious complications including blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and blockage of blood supply to the legs.
The majority of Americans develop type 2 diabetes in their middle ages. This form of diabetes develops because for some unknown reason the body fails to either make enough insulin or fails to secrete insulin. Sometimes the insulin levels are adequate but fail to work. The major treatment of type 2 diabetes is with the use of drugs, diet and/or exercise. These drugs work in a number of ways. Some act to break down the excess sugar, other drugs prevent excess glucose from getting into the body and other drugs stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas. In many obese individuals, the diabetic drugs fail to work and insulin is required.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also common and affects a significant number of children. In type 1 diabetes, the insulin is never made in the pancreas and the individual presents with diabetes as a child. In most cases, the diabetes will be evident during school age. One needs life long insulin to treat this form of diabetes.
For information on equipment and supplies for diabetes, please visit our website at www.medexsupply.com
Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by high levels of blood glucose. The major problem with type 2 diabetes is that the hormone insulin is either low or not secreted or has problems working at the cellular levels. Insulin is responsible for lowering the blood glucose. When the blood glucose levels stay elevated for prolonged periods, one can develop serious complications including blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and blockage of blood supply to the legs.
The majority of Americans develop type 2 diabetes in their middle ages. This form of diabetes develops because for some unknown reason the body fails to either make enough insulin or fails to secrete insulin. Sometimes the insulin levels are adequate but fail to work. The major treatment of type 2 diabetes is with the use of drugs, diet and/or exercise. These drugs work in a number of ways. Some act to break down the excess sugar, other drugs prevent excess glucose from getting into the body and other drugs stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas. In many obese individuals, the diabetic drugs fail to work and insulin is required.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also common and affects a significant number of children. In type 1 diabetes, the insulin is never made in the pancreas and the individual presents with diabetes as a child. In most cases, the diabetes will be evident during school age. One needs life long insulin to treat this form of diabetes.
For information on equipment and supplies for diabetes, please visit our website at www.medexsupply.com
Bed Wetting 101
Bed wetting is a common problem in children all over the world. However, the disorder is not life threatening and most children over come the problem with time. Bed wetting is not considered a problem until the child reaches the age of 5. To make a diagnosis of nocturnal enuresis or bed wetting, the child must have reached the age of 5/6 and have at least two or more bed wetting episodes every 4 weeks.
While the exact number of individuals with this problem is not known, it is estimated that close to 20-25 percent of children wet the bed at least once a month. As the child matures, the numbers do decline.
By the age of 12, about 8-10 percent of boys remain enuretic and only about 4% of girls have the same problem. After puberty, it is estimated that about 1-3 percent of teenagers or young adults continue to wet the bed.
Despite a long history, the cause of nocturnal enuresis remains elusive and is believed to be multifactorial. While no definite genetic link has been identified, the incidence is much greater in families where one or both parents had the problem. Factors such as stress, family life, social background or economic situation have not found to have any association with nocturnal enuresis.
In the years past, it was widely thought that psychological trauma was the cause of this disorder. Today, it is believed that the psychological problems are as a result of bed wetting. So far not a single study has shown that children with bed wetting have a higher incidence of psychological problems compared to the normal population. Bedwetting is not an act of defiance, rebellion nor is it linked to any type of personality disorder.
While primary enuresis may occur without a cause, there are secondary causes of nocturnal enuresis. These include trauma to the spinal cord, congenital spinal cord deformities, posterior urethral valves in boys and ectopic (abnormal origin or location) ureters in girls. Sometimes children who have severe constipation may also present with bed wetting.
Investigations for bed wetting depend on the physical findings and laboratory work up. If the physical exam is unremarkable and the urinalysis is normal, then no further work up is required. Individuals who are found to have urinary tract infection or physical abnormalities of the spinal cord, usually have to undergo more testing.
For more information on supplies and products for bed wetting, please visit www.medexsupply.com.
While the exact number of individuals with this problem is not known, it is estimated that close to 20-25 percent of children wet the bed at least once a month. As the child matures, the numbers do decline.
By the age of 12, about 8-10 percent of boys remain enuretic and only about 4% of girls have the same problem. After puberty, it is estimated that about 1-3 percent of teenagers or young adults continue to wet the bed.
Despite a long history, the cause of nocturnal enuresis remains elusive and is believed to be multifactorial. While no definite genetic link has been identified, the incidence is much greater in families where one or both parents had the problem. Factors such as stress, family life, social background or economic situation have not found to have any association with nocturnal enuresis.
In the years past, it was widely thought that psychological trauma was the cause of this disorder. Today, it is believed that the psychological problems are as a result of bed wetting. So far not a single study has shown that children with bed wetting have a higher incidence of psychological problems compared to the normal population. Bedwetting is not an act of defiance, rebellion nor is it linked to any type of personality disorder.
While primary enuresis may occur without a cause, there are secondary causes of nocturnal enuresis. These include trauma to the spinal cord, congenital spinal cord deformities, posterior urethral valves in boys and ectopic (abnormal origin or location) ureters in girls. Sometimes children who have severe constipation may also present with bed wetting.
Investigations for bed wetting depend on the physical findings and laboratory work up. If the physical exam is unremarkable and the urinalysis is normal, then no further work up is required. Individuals who are found to have urinary tract infection or physical abnormalities of the spinal cord, usually have to undergo more testing.
For more information on supplies and products for bed wetting, please visit www.medexsupply.com.
Trapeze Bars for Bed Ridden Patients-part 2
In the past, the majority of trapeze bars came with awkward heavy steel bars which were not portable and quite difficult to use. Today, trapeze bars are made of light weight stainless steel, are easy to maintain and some are even portable.
There are many types and designs of trapeze bars. Some of the most common brands of trapeze bars include the following:
Graham Field Trapeze Unit is a very versatile trapeze bar and ideal for moving and transporting very obese patients. The Graham trapeze can be easily set up and is light weight. However, the Graham Field trapeze can only be used with LTC, Zenith and Matrix beds. It can lift patients up to 450 pounds.
Lumex Bariatric trapeze has a maximum weight capacity of 450 pounds. The height of this device can be adjusted and it is also portable. Other features of the Lumex include an adjustable height, and rubber bumper guards to protect the walls and furniture. The Lumex is ideal for transferring patients in and out of bed with minimal assistance.
Drive Bariatric Free standing trapeze is designed to assist the patient change bed position and also help transport out of the bed. The Drive Bariatric Trapeze is easy to assemble and very light weight. The trapeze bar height can be adjusted.
For more information on Trapeze Bars, please visit www.medexsupply.com
There are many types and designs of trapeze bars. Some of the most common brands of trapeze bars include the following:
Graham Field Trapeze Unit is a very versatile trapeze bar and ideal for moving and transporting very obese patients. The Graham trapeze can be easily set up and is light weight. However, the Graham Field trapeze can only be used with LTC, Zenith and Matrix beds. It can lift patients up to 450 pounds.
Lumex Bariatric trapeze has a maximum weight capacity of 450 pounds. The height of this device can be adjusted and it is also portable. Other features of the Lumex include an adjustable height, and rubber bumper guards to protect the walls and furniture. The Lumex is ideal for transferring patients in and out of bed with minimal assistance.
Drive Bariatric Free standing trapeze is designed to assist the patient change bed position and also help transport out of the bed. The Drive Bariatric Trapeze is easy to assemble and very light weight. The trapeze bar height can be adjusted.
For more information on Trapeze Bars, please visit www.medexsupply.com
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