Diabetic Testing Supplies for Better Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose
A person with diabetes is as, if not more, responsible than their doctor for treating their disease. Diabetes requires day-to-day treatment so a person with diabetes is wise to learn as much as they can about the disease, diabetes testing supplies, monitoring blood sugars and treating diabetes. When this is mastered the person will find they are really managing the disease rather than coping with it. Learning to use diabetes testing supplies and equipment and to interpret the results can lead to better treatment which in turn leads to more normal blood sugar levels in diabetes. Thus many of the symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes (and other types too) can be stabilized or prevented. This use of diabetes of testing supplies and equipment to help maintain good control over diabetes is called self monitoring of blood glucose.
The skill of self-monitoring of blood glucose requires testing with a purpose. The diabetic is taught to use a blood glucose monitor (or insulin pump), what target blood sugar levels are, when to test, how to interpret the results, and what to do when blood glucose is too high or too low. It is a cost effective use of time, money and resources. Most insurances and Medicare understand the value in health of self monitoring of blood glucose and will reimburse for diabetes testing supplies billed under either pharmacy benefit or durable medical equipment benefit. If coverage is denied it is wise to have a health care provider to contact the insurance company. To make the best use of diabetic testing supplies, time, money and resources a diabetic needs to be a self advocate in all areas of diabetes care. They need to talk with health care professionals to make sure they understand their goals and how to achieve them. They need to ask their health care team to work with them in using test results to make appropriate treatment plan changes.
Achieving the goal of good glucose control involves having an individualized meal plan where one counts carbohydrate and regulates it so the amount of carbohydrate at a meal is consistent from day to day. This coupled with monitoring of blood glucose levels supplies an arsenal of information for the diabetic and the health care professional so if medication changes are needed they can be made wisely. Physical activity also helps the diabetic reach the goal of good glucose control. Movement of the large muscles helps to allow blood sugar into the cells of the body much like insulin and many oral medications do. Regular physical activity will make blood glucose control much easier.
Self management of blood glucose and aggressive treatment of high blood sugar levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes reduces the development and progression of microvascular (small blood vessel) disease like that of the eye and kidney. The longer-term benefits of tight glucose control for macrovascular (large blood vessel) disease like those of the heart suggest greater clinical and economical benefits are obtained when there is simultaneous control of glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels in type 2 diabetics. For the best outcomes it is paramount that diabetics become physically active and learn carbohydrate counting and self monitoring of blood glucose with the testing supplies prescribed by their doctor. It is equally as important that they be active members of their own health care team.