How Do I Monitor Blood Sugar Levels In Children?

A blood glucose monitor is an instrument used to measure blood sugar and was invented by Tom Clemens. At present, household blood glucose meters on the market are mainly divided into two categories: electrochemical methods and light reflection technologies.

Blood glucose monitor

Chinese name: Blood glucose monitor
Foreign name: Blood glucose meter

Solid: Instrument for measuring blood sugar
Points for: Electrochemical methods and light reflection technologies
inventor: Tom Clemens

What to pay attention to when buying

First of all, you should understand the types of blood glucose meters. According to the working principle, blood glucose meters are divided into two categories: photochemical methods and electrode methods. The photochemical blood glucose meter has good stability and accuracy.The electrode blood glucose meter has different built-in correction systems due to different electrode materials, and the price, accuracy, and stability are greatly different.This type of blood glucose meter requires less blood and is tested. The result is fast (several seconds). Second, we should pay attention to cost-effectiveness, including the price of test strips. Third, attention should be paid to after-sales service, and test papers are easier to buy. Fourth, you should carefully read the instruction manual when you buy a blood glucose meter, pay attention to the characteristics and special requirements of the instrument, and if you have any questions during the test, you should communicate with professionals in a timely manner.

How to save blood glucose test strips

Blood glucose test strips should be placed in a dry, +10 and +40 degrees temperature. Don't put it in the bathroom or kitchen, and don't put it in the refrigerator. These places are extremely vulnerable to moisture. If it has been put in the refrigerator, the sealed test paper tube needs to be slowly warmed at room temperature before use until it reaches room temperature. Do not remove the test paper before the test paper tube reaches room temperature, so as to prevent condensation from forming in the test paper tube. Patients living in some relatively humid places (such as the south) should pay attention to: Each time you take out a test strip, you should immediately close the sealing cap of the test strip to prevent the test strip from getting wet; open a new test strip and try to use it up within three months; If possible, try to buy blood glucose test strips in individual packages.

What to pay attention to during testing

Try to stay at room temperature; Avoid placing the instrument near electromagnetic fields (such as mobile phones, microwave ovens, etc.); Do not take too much or too little blood (especially the blood glucose meter with photochemical method).

What to pay attention to when collecting blood

It is very painful to choose the blood collection point in the middle of the finger. It is generally recommended that the blood collection point is on the side of the finger, where the nerve distribution is less than the middle of the finger, and the pain is lighter. But don't get too close to the edge of the nail, it is not easy to disinfect and it is not easy to squeeze blood. Blood sampling points can be selected by rotating ten fingers. Most people choose the other eight fingers except the thumb. You can wash your hands with warm water before you take the blood, and your arms can be plumped to make the blood vessels in your fingers full of blood. After the lancet pierces the finger, lightly squeeze the blood from the direction of the finger to the finger end (blood collection point). Do not squeeze the blood vigorously, otherwise the squeezed plasma and tissue fluid account for a large proportion, affecting accuracy. What to do if it does not bleed or there is less blood? It may be related to the following reasons: The circulation of the tip (finger) is poor, and you can wash your hands with warm water and hang your arms. The depth of blood collection is not enough, and the blood collection pen has different scales. It is necessary to know which scale is suitable for blood collection and then "start". The technique of squeezing blood is not mastered. In addition to the "light exertion" mentioned above, the force of the squeeze should be at least 0.5 cm above the blood collection point. When the blood is squeezed, the skin at the bleeding point can be seen to be congested. If the blood is squeezed too close to the bleeding point, and the blood vessels are "squashed", how can the blood be squeezed out?

What is the normal blood glucose value

Blood glucose refers to the glucose contained in the blood. The measurement of blood glucose is the main indicator for judging the condition and control of diabetes. The normal value of venous plasma is 3.6 to 6.1 mmol / L (65 to 110 mg / dL).

Self-test considerations

1. The blood glucose tester should be regularly calibrated and approved at the hospital or after-sales service point, especially when the blood glucose monitoring results are obviously inconsistent with the patient's clinical symptoms or glycated hemoglobin, it is recommended to take venous blood to measure blood glucose.

2. When hypoglycemia often occurs recently, it is best to monitor blood glucose before meals and at night; when blood glucose is often high recently, fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose should be monitored, which can more accurately reflect the elevated blood glucose degree.

3. It is better to measure blood glucose at different times of a day than to monitor blood glucose at the same time every day. Because the former is more likely to reflect the regularity of blood glucose changes 24 hours a day, and if blood glucose is measured at the same time every day, it is not always known how the blood glucose level is controlled at other times of the day.

Blood glucose meter principle

The principle of blood glucose meter is divided into two types: photochemical method and electrochemical method. The photochemical blood glucose meter is similar to a CD player and has a photoelectric head. This kind of blood glucose meter is relatively cheap, but the probe is exposed to the air, it is easy to be polluted and affect the test results. The error range is plus or minus 0.8. Therefore, the light hole must be cleaned frequently. calibration. The electrochemical blood glucose meter can avoid pollution, and the error range is plus or minus 0.2. Under normal use, no calibration is required.

Blood glucose monitor

The blood glucose test strips used in the blood glucose test are specially matched with the blood glucose meters of various brands and cannot be used universally among the brands. There are currently two blood collection methods for blood glucose test strips on the market: drip and siphon. A blood glucose test strip of blood type requires more blood samples during the test, and a blood sample needs to be added to the test strip. Too many, too few blood drops, or inaccurate locations will affect the test value. The blood glucose test strip using the siphon automatic blood suction method requires less blood samples, and the amount of sample can be automatically controlled. The test strip has a confirmation point that can show whether the blood is the right amount. The operation is simple, and the error of adding blood samples can be avoided to ensure the accuracy of the test results .

Blood glucose tester test mode

The test mode of the blood glucose meter is very important. The fully automatic test process means that the blood glucose test strip can be automatically turned on, the blood sample is added to the test program to display the test result, the test strip is automatically turned off, and the test result is automatically stored. Glucose meters are simple to use and help provide more accurate test results.

Glucose meter button

Sometimes patients need to perform necessary correction code adjustments on the blood glucose meter, query stored results, and delete stored results. Therefore, it is necessary for the blood glucose meter to have an appropriate number and size of buttons with clearly distinguished functions.

Blood glucose monitor power

In the blood glucose meter test, a sufficient voltage is generally required to ensure the normal operation of the chip. Therefore, its power source generally uses a button battery or even a special battery. However, the replacement of the coin cell battery and the special battery is difficult, resulting in some glucose meters not working properly after purchase. At present, some blood glucose meters can use one ordinary AAA battery, which is more convenient to use.

Blood glucose meter memory storage

After the test, the memory of the test results helps to understand the blood glucose changes of the patient over a period of time. Therefore, proper storage capacity is necessary.

Automatic blood glucose tester calibration

Whether electrochemical or photochemical, enzymatic reactions are the basis of testing. The enzyme reaction is greatly affected by temperature. Therefore, it is best to have a built-in temperature sensor in the blood glucose meter, which can automatically perform temperature calibration to ensure that the test results are not affected by the temperature during the test.

Blood glucose test strip

The blood glucose test strip is sensitive to the stored humidity environment, and the test value will be inaccurate when the strip is wet. Therefore, most bottled test strips require that after opening the test strip bottle, the test strip must be used up within three months, and the cap is required to be opened very quickly each time. Therefore, individual users are better off using test strips in single packaging.

Blood glucose monitor display

The size of the blood glucose meter should meet the needs of the operation during the test. Too large and too small are not desirable. Hold it steadily with one hand, and you can easily test the operation yourself. At the same time, an appropriately sized blood glucose meter can provide a large enough display screen, even if middle-aged and elderly patients use it, there is no need to worry about unclear test results.

Blood glucose monitor price

The price is not the most important in the purchase of blood glucose meters, the key is quality, but generally better blood glucose meters are around 1,000 yuan, which is an extra burden for many families and requires comprehensive measurement. In fact, the price of the test strip is more important. The instrument is a one-time cost, but the purchase of the test strip is long-term. Choosing a test strip that can stabilize long-term supply and is economical in price can save a lot of economic expenses.

Blood glucose monitor after sales

Should understand the blood glucose meter's after-sales service work, whether the supply of test strips is in place, to prevent the "cooking without rice" situation.

After considering the above factors, I believe you will be able to purchase an accurate, simple and economical blood glucose meter suitable for your own use.