One of the most important things for people managing their diabetes to do is to check their blood glucose levels daily, sometimes multiple times a day as recommended by their doctor or diabetes educator.

Using a glucose meter is an easy process - it just needs to be done every day. Here are the important steps to remember when testing your blood glucose levels.

1. Thoroughly wash and dry your hands whenever your test your blood. It’s safer and more sanitary, but it will also ensure more accurate readings.
2. You will need a meter, test strips, a lancing device, and a lancet.
3. Carefully place the lancet in the lancing device and remove the cap from the needle. Do not touch the needle. Set the spring on the lancing device so that it is ready to stick your finger, but don’t set off the trigger yet.
4. Get out a test strip and put it in the meter. (In most cases, this will turn the meter on.)
5. If you are beginning with a new box of test strips and have a meter that needs to be coded, make sure that the meter matches the code on the box or bottle of strips you are using. Improperly coded meters give substantially inaccurate results.
6. The test strip symbol should flash on the screen to let you know that the device is ready.
7. Prick your finger with the lancet. Using the side of your finger rather than the tip will be less painful because there aren’t as many nerves there.
8. Squeeze your finger so that you get a big drop to fill the test area on the test strip. Wait a few seconds (time varies with meters)
9. Make sure to record your reading. Take any necessary action according to your reading (take insulin, eat something, etc.) and throw away the test strip and the lancet, and put away the rest of your supplies for the next time you need to test.

Make sure that you work closely with your doctor or a diabetes educator to make a plan for safely managing your diabetes.

Normal blood glucose levels are a luxury for those who are not affected by diabetes in all forms. Hopefully your are someone lucky enough to have your blood sugar under control. If you or someone you know is having problems in this area, read on.

What is glucose? Glucose is a form of sugar that travels through the human blood stream. It usually enters your body in the form of foods high in carbohydrates. You can regulate glucose levels through the body’s use of insulin and glucagon hormones which are produced by the pancreas. The problem arises if the pancreas is unable to generate the proper amount of glucose to keep your body in check.

Normal blood sugar levels register between 70 and 150 mg. The level in someone’s body will change during the day and is affected by many factors including what time of day it is as well as what your most recent meal was (or was not). There is danger associated with levels either below or above the range. If your level is below 70, you most likely have a condition called hypoglycemia or more commonly called low blood sugar. Other symptoms of hypoglycemia include lack of energy, focus and irritability. You can even lose consciousness if your glucose is too low.

If your blood sugar is over 150 mg, then you are considered to be hyperglycemic, also more commonly known as having high blood sugar. If you have persistent high sugar, then you are at risk for diabetes which can result in serious organ damage to your eyes, kidneys and other organs. If you do not have normal blood glucose levels, you should take all necessary steps to reverse the condition. If you have a lifestyle that includes poor habits - including nutrition and exercise practices and decisions that have an adverse impact on your health, now is the time to change your habits and bring your blood sugar under control.

A vicious circle is in operation and we have no idea of how devastating the outcome will be. In the past it was easy to diagnose a child with juvenile onset or type 1 diabetes. This child typically presented with weight loss, dehydration and thirst. Now there is a new picture; obesity has spread to younger children and there is a much higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than ever before.

A recent report stated:

• one child in four, born in the year 2000 will end up being diagnosed with this condition
• nearly one child in ten with diabetes now has type 2
• twenty years ago this condition was unheard of in young children or adolescents
• we do not yet realize the damaging effects of childhood obesity
• this could mean the complications now seen in mature people, will be seen in young adults and lead to a lower-life expectancy

Add to that the difficulty these children will experience with their peers:

• obesity is a burden for a child, even without diabetes
• maintaining high self esteem can be very difficult for overweight children
• in adolescent years attractiveness equates with body shape and intelligence

The younger a person is at the time of diagnosis, the more likely they are to develop devastating complications during their lifetime. They could develop:

• blindness
• kidney failure
• a higher rate of heart disease than older adults with type 2

The cycle continues as babies born to young women with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of inheriting the same.

Just as in adults, this condition in young people takes several years to develop. Children:

• are usually overweight or obese
• have a strong family history of diabetes
• are likely to have acanthosis nigricans, a velvety darkening of the skin especially around the neck and under the arms. This is a due to insulin resistance
• girls are more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• if still studying, often lack the ability to concentrate so have poor grades
• suffer from fatigue
• often only have a mild increase in thirst and urination

How is this treated?

Once diagnosed by your health care provider, managing young people with type 2 diabetes is a family affair. A healthy eating plan and lifestyle changes the whole family can join in, is often suggested. The best news is these changes are great for everyone’s health.

The aim is to:

• normalize blood sugar levels
• reduce blood fats
• prevent the development of complications