A blood glucose meter is a portable device that diabetics cannot live without. Constantly monitoring blood glucose fluctuations is very important since blood glucose values often dictate how the healthcare team attending the patient can best deliver treatment. But blood glucose monitoring is most important for parents whose children have been diagnosed with diabetes, specifically type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. These parents need to monitor their children’s glucose levels so that appropriate measures can be set in place and so that the onset of symptoms can be staved off. But, above all, children who depend entirely on insulin injections need to keep watch of their blood glucose levels.
Also called juvenile diabetes, Type 1 diabetes in children is a condition that is characterized by the pancreas’ lack of ability to produce its own insulin. Insulin is the hormone that allows the delivery of glucose into individual cells to give them energy. Without this ability, all cells in the body will lack the energy to continue performing at their optimal capacity, leaving the patient very weak and bodily functions compromised. Also, without insulin, the bloodstream will be flooded with glucose, or sugar, which leads to a host of uncomfortable diabetes symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, and constant fatigue. To avoid these symptoms, patients must keep their blood glucose levels under control. Among the best ways of doing so is by using a blood glucose meter.
Blood glucose meters come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the manufacturer and brand, in a variety of technologies. To know which one can help the patient best, the following pointers can be considered:
Cost: The device itself tends to be cheap; in fact, many manufacturers even give them away for free. So you shouldn’t be paying a lot for a blood glucose meter. But remember that these companies do not give their products away at a very low cost for purely altruistic reasons. A necessary supplement to the monitors is the test strips that are used them. When considering a blood glucose meter, first check the price of the test strips that are compatible with the product. This should be anywhere from 50 cents to one dollar per strip. You might use three or more of these strips every day to continually monitor your child’s blood glucose levels, so finding the least expensive product can save you a lot of money.
Insurance: Insurance companies often cover the cost of a blood glucose meter, but not usually the test strips. Be sure to check with your provider regarding the coverage your child will get in terms of his diabetic expenses.
Ease of use: Look for user friendliness when buying a blood glucose meter for your child. Your child should be able to use it on his own without supervision. It should also be light enough to be carried around since your child will have to take it with him on a constant basis. It is best to choose a meter that has a larger display screen so neither of you will have difficulty reading the values.
Built-in memory: Some blood glucose meters come with built-in memory that is powerful enough to record up to a few hundred readings. If your child is on his own a lot, you should consider getting him one that has good memory capacity so you can keep track of the trends concerning fluctuating blood glucose levels.