Blood sugar medically known as glucose is an essential component of our body metabolism function. Glucose helps to regulate energy levels in our body. Having balance blood sugar level is essential for good health. Any deviation from the normal level can have negative impacts on our health.
A blood sugar monitor, also known as a glucometer, comes in handy to measure your blood sugar levels. It helps to determine the amount of glucose present in the body and check if any changes have occurred in blood sugar levels long term.
These monitors use a test strip, a small drop of blood, and a chip to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. The strip, coated with an enzyme, reacts with the glucose in the blood and generates an electrical current. This electrical current is measured and displayed on the monitor in numbers. The universal unit for measuring glucose levels is milimoles/liter (mmol/L).
People with diabetes need to keep a track of their sugar levels routinely to prevent any drastic drops or rises in sugar levels. A glucometer proves to be useful for this need. Additionally, it can also provide the patient with insight on how certain food intake affects their sugar levels. Certain life events, like stress, can cause significant changes in sugar level, and regular monitoring with a blood sugar monitor helps to alert the patient in such high-risk situations.
The glucometer instrument is easy to use and portable. The support of a counselor or health professional can help to understand the reports of a blood sugar monitor and act accordingly. The best time to check the sugar levels with a monitor is before meal and two hours after eating. Depending upon the blood sugar level, patients may need to alter their diet, exercise or take medications to maintain the normal blood sugar levels.
In summary, a blood sugar monitor or a glucometer is an essential device for controlling diabetes. It enables us to monitor our sugar levels which encourages us to take steps towards maintaining a healthy sugar level. It is easy to use and conveniently portable. Consulting with a health professional may help to gain better insight on the readings from a blood sugar monitor.