Tired Of Painful Diabetes Testing These Tips For Painless Finger Pricking Will Help
For many people living with diabetes, pricking their finger to test blood glucose levels is a painful ordeal. According to the American Diabetes Association and other sources, checking your blood sugar regularly is an essential part of managing diabetes. But no matter how tough you are, the daily ritual of pricking your finger to draw blood can become quite painful over time. Fortunately, we have some tips for painless finger pricking that can make blood glucose testing a little easier to bear.
How Long After Waking Up Should You Check Blood Sugar
Blood sugar testing at home In most cases, doctors ask people to measure fasting blood sugar immediately upon waking and before they have anything to eat or drink. It may also be appropriate to test blood sugar before eating or 2 hours after a meal, which is when blood sugar returns to normal levels.
Common Factors That Can Affect Finger Stick Blood Sugar Tests
When testing blood sugar levels, there are different factors that can affect the accuracy of a finger stick test including:
- Temperature, humidity, and elevation
- Testing site location, such as fingertip vs. forearm
- Expired or damaged test strips
Some factors are related to the finger stick process and have simple solutions to improve the accuracy of your results. Consider these factors the next time you test:
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Apply Blood Sample To The Test Strip
Before you prick your finger, prepare your meter by inserting a new test strip according to the manufacturers instructions. Do not apply blood to the test strip until your meter is on and displaying the testing screen.
Once your meter is ready, hold the lancing device loaded with a lancet against the test site with gentle pressure and press the release button to prick your finger.
Make sure the blood drop is large enough to fill the test strip and bring the blood sample to the test strip. Most test strips will quickly wick the blood into the sample area within a few seconds. The meter may provide a visual or audio indication when to remove your finger, after enough blood has been applied.
For more information on how to test your blood sugar see the how to test your blood sugar article.
Tip: As you bring the blood sample to the test strip, avoid wiping or smearing blood on areas outside the designated sample area. Only the edge of the test strip with the sample area should come in contact with the blood sample.
Easy Ways To Check Blood Sugar Without A Meter
Diabetesis a complicated state of the body. Furthermore, it triggers more diseases. Thus, it is of utmost importance to keep a close watch on the blood sugar level readings. Here, we are presenting ways to monitor your blood sugar without a meter.
Self-Monitoring: A Great Way To Check Blood Sugar At Home?
Keeping a watch on your diabetes numbers is essential. We can easily determine, How to check blood sugar at home? by just observing the symptoms of the disease.
If you feel thirsty more often
Conventionally, when we feel thirsty, we used to drink a glass or two glasses of water. Conversely, if you are diabetic then no wonder if you down with a pitcher of water at one go.
This is how people used to check sugar levels at home without machines. Furthermore, this method cannot tell you the numbers of your sugar level yet it will leave you with doubt to consult a doctor.
You frequently start using restrooms
Why a person urges more often for peeing? The reason behind this is that at the point when the sugar level is high in your blood, your kidneys cant haul the sugar out any longer.
Your body attempts to weaken that sugar by pulling in more water from your tissues, leaving you feeling got dried out. This causes you to feel the desire to drink more water, bringing about you are peeing all the more regularly.
Encountering such a condition can tell you if your blood sugar is high without a meter.
Sudden Weight-loss: check your blood sugar without needles
Urine Sugar test
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Can I Test Blood Sugar At Alternative Sites Other Than Fingertips
Having your fingertips constantly pricked all other is not pleasant and may cause inconveniences, discomfort of even painful sensations . There are alternatives sites, like upper arms, hips or base of the thumb. However, you should remember that fingertips blood shows blood sugar changes faster than other body areas, so results from other sites will be less precise and actual. For example, using alternative sites for blood sugar measuring after meals or if your experience symptoms of low blood sugar if not a good idea.
So, even if you have diabetes, enjoy life and hope for the best â many diseases and conditions that were incurable in the past are successfully treated and cured today. The reward for your current condition is that people with diabetes are better organized, motivated and have stronger will power which helps then achieve a lot in the life. Diabetes is not a reason to get blue but a stimulus to change your life for the better!
If blood glucose issues are new to you and you dont know what sort of test you need but you experience some of the worrying symptoms of abnormal blood glucose, or just want to make sure your body processes glucose in the proper way, read about different blood sugar tests.
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Other Tips For Checking:
- With some meters, you can also use your forearm, thigh, or fleshy part of your hand.
- There are spring-loaded lancing devices that make sticking yourself less painful.
- If you use your fingertip, stick the side of your fingertip by your fingernail to avoid having sore spots on the frequently used part of your finger.
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Five Tips For How To Avoid Pain When Checking Your Blood
11/7/2018 by Ilka Gdanietz
Measuring your blood sugar sticks” to diabetes like butter to bread. And even in these times of CGM , we cant avoid pricking our fingers from time to time in order to manage our blood sugar levels.
Measuring your blood sugar shouldnt hurt too much. However, many people with diabetes complain about it hurting, or even about an unpleasant and unsightly development of calluses at their fingertips.
But it doesnt have to be this way if you keep an eye on a couple of things while measuring.
I myself grew up with diabetes. Back then, over 20 years ago, lancing devices resembled rather a guillotine. Or a steel lancet got simply rammed into your finger. How deep the needle or lancet went in was truly a crapshoot. Ouch! When I take a close look at my fingers these days, I have to admit: all is well! No calluses, no bullet holes. Neither incrusted nor pricked all over or reddened.
Unfortunately, these days patients rarely receive training on how to best measure their blood sugar levels, when it could be such an easy-peasy thing to do. You really just have to consider a few things:
1. The Lancing Device Nowadays lancing devices all work the same way in principle: Almost every device offers the function of adjusting the depth of the needle pricking your finger. However, make sure to start with a light setting and work your way towards the correct penetration depth.
Comparison To Other Devices
The FreeStyle Libre is referred to as a flash glucose monitoring system. Unlike other CGMs, like the Medtronic Guardian 3 and Dexcom G6, the FreeStyle Libre checks glucose levels every minute rather than every five minutes. It can also be worn for 14 days as opposed to seven minutes for the Medtronic Guardian 3 or 10 minutes for the Dexcom G6.
The FreeStyle Libre system does not require fingerprick calibrations. And, because there is no transmitter, the system costs less than other CGMs.
Whereas other CGM sensors can be placed on the belly and buttocks, the FreeStyle Libre is only approved for use on the back of the arm. If placed in other areas, the sensor may not work properly.
A newer CGM called the Eversense system offers continuous 90-day glucose monitoring. But, sales of the device were halted in 2020 due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic but also to the fact that the device needs implantation by a doctor.
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When Should You Test Your Blood Sugar
It depends on which type of diabetes you have:
- Type 1 diabetes. Itâs up to your doctor. They could suggest you test anywhere between four and 10 times a day. For example, you could test before meals and snacks, before and after exercise, before bed, and even during the night. You may also need to check more often if youâre sick, making changes to your daily routine, or starting a new medication.
- Type 2 diabetes. It depends on what you take to treat your diabetes:
- Insulin. The doctor may tell you to test a few times a day, depending on the type and amount of insulin you use. Youâll probably test before meals and at bedtime if youâre taking multiple daily injections. You may need to test only twice daily, before breakfast and dinner, if you only use a long-acting insulin.
- Medications. If you use drugs to manage diabetes, your doctor will tell you how often to check your blood sugar.
- Lifestyle changes. If youâre relying on diet and exercise, you may not need to test your blood sugar daily.
Best Glucose Meter For Cheap Test Strips
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What Are The Target Ranges
Blood glucose targets are individualized based on:
- duration of diabetes
- conditions a person may have
- cardiovascular disease or diabetes complications
- hypoglycemia unawareness
- individual patient considerations
The American Diabetes Association suggests the following targets for most nonpregnant adults with diabetes. A1C targets differ based on age and health. Also, more or less stringent glycemic goals may be appropriate for each individual.
- A1C: Less than 7%A1C may also be reported as eAG: Less than 154 mg/dL
- Before a meal : 80130 mg/dL
- 1-2 hours after beginning of the meal *: Less than 180 mg/dL
What If I Have Trouble Getting To My Blood Sugar Goals
There may be times when you have trouble reaching your blood sugar goals. This does not mean that you have failed. It means that you and your health care team should see if changes are needed. Call your health care team if your blood sugar is often too high or too low. Taking action will help you be healthy today and in the future.
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Buying Guide For The Best Blood Glucose Meter
So those were some of the suggestions for the best accurate glucose meters. Now the question is how to pick the right one for yourself? Well, to make it easy for you, here are some of the things that you need to take in consideration:
One of the most important parts is the result delivery time. There are quite a lot of meters that offer you results in just a few seconds. But some of the best glucometer too take some time. However, waiting for a few minutes to get your test done does not seem like a big deal, though. But a meter with a short delivery time will surely make your job easy.
Tips To Make Glucose Monitoring Easier
Whether youre using a traditional finger prick monitor or a CGM for your diabetes management, here are some tips to make checking your glucose easier:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before checking your glucose for a more accurate result. Dont use hand sanitizer before using finger sticks.
- If inserting a sensor into your skin for a CGM, be sure to wash the area of skin with soap and water and allow it to dry first.
- Change any sensors by the recommended manufacturer time for example, every 14 days for the FreeStyle Libre and every 10 days for the Dexcom G6.
- If using finger strips, you may experience less pain by using the side of your fingertip closer to your fingernail.
- Even if youre using a CGM, you may consider having a traditional meter on hand to double-check your glucose. This is in case you experience symptoms of high or low blood sugar despite a normal reading.
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Which Finger Is Best To Test Blood Sugar
All content on this website is for educational purposes only and does not replace the guidance of your healthcare practitioner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
When using a blood glucose monitor, it is important to get the most accurate readings possible to gain meaningful insight into your health and detect patterns in your blood glucose levels. The FDA mandates that results from self-monitoring blood glucose systems be within ±15% of lab results 95% of the time. But accuracy doesnt depend just on the capabilities of the monitor it also depends on how the user performs a test. This includes where you choose to collect your blood sample from.
So which finger is best to test blood sugar? It depends. Read on to find out more.
Description Of The Interventions
Intervention 1: not washing hands.
The participant arrived at the research setting and did not wash the hands prior to the first finger puncture. The capillary blood glucose concentrations were determined from the first and second drops of blood, and the puncture site was wiped by a tissue in between obtaining the first and second drops.
Intervention 2: finger exposed to fruit.
The participant washed the hands with soap and water and dried them. The participant then handled either an apple or a banana. This fruit is generally used in the Dutch population. The participant either cut part of an apple into three pieces with a knife and broke the pieces into two smaller pieces with the hands, or peeled a piece of a ripe banana and broke the piece into two smaller pieces with the hands. After handling the fruit, the capillary blood glucose concentrations were determined in the first and second drops of blood, and the finger was wiped off with a tissue in between obtaining the two drops.
Intervention 3: washing the fruit-exposed finger.
As in intervention 2, the participants other forefinger was exposed to a piece of fruit. The participant then washed the hands with soap and water and dried them. The tests were repeated.
Intervention 4: different external pressures.
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Tips To Reduce Finger Prick Pain
Take the ouch out of blood sugar testing with these simple tricks from experts in diabetes care.
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Managing diabetes can be a pain literally. And the more blood sugar testing you do, the more of a pain it is, confirms Sacha Uelmen, RDN, CDE, director of nutrition for the American Diabetes Association. Still, monitoring blood sugar levels is a critical component of good diabetes management research involving more than 5,000 people with diabetes has shown that those who test blood sugar regularly have better blood sugar control than those who rely solely on diabetes medication. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to lessen the pain that comes along with that testing. So if finger pricks make you feel like a voodoo doll, here are eight strategies to try: