How to check your blood sugar

What is Diabetes?

A problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal (ADA, 2016)

Aka Hyperglycemia

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Juvenile diabetes found mostly in children and young adults Body does not produce insulin

Types of Diabetes (cont.)

Type 2 Most common type of diabetes Body does not use insulin properly

Types of Diabetes (cont.)

Gestational Diabetes Women who never had diabetes but have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy Happens in late pregnancy Hormones blocks insulin

Why do we need to check blood sugar?

To have diabetes under control

To know your blood sugar level (too low or too high)

To keep a log/record

What equipment do we need?

Test stripLancetBlood sugar machine

Steps on checking your blood sugar

1. Wash your hands

Steps on checking your blood sugar (cont.)

2. Insert test strip into the meter

Steps on checking your blood sugar (cont.)

3. Use lancet on the side of your finger to get a drop of blood

Steps on checking your blood sugar (cont.)

4. Touch the test strip to the drop of blood and wait for the result

Steps on checking your blood sugar (cont.)

5. Keep a record of your blood sugar Levels

Before a meal (80–130 mg/dl)

1-2 hours after beginning of the meal (Less than 180 mg/dl) (ADA, 2016)

References

American Diabetes Association. (2016). Checking your blood sugar. Retrieved from: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/checking-your-blood-glucose.html

American Diabetes Association. (2016). Type 1 Diabetes. Retrieved from: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/

American Diabetes Association. (2016). Type 2. Retrieved from: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/