Susan Sorensen

Last month we discussed the importance of exercise in helping control your diabetes, so this month we are going to look at another tool that often is overlooked: using a home glucose monitor.

By testing your blood sugar at home, you can monitor how various foods raise your glucose level in addition to how exercise lowers your glucose level.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the goal for a fasting glucose reading is 70-100 mg./dL and the goal for two hours after the start of a meal is less than 140 mg./dL. Your health care provider can tell you what your personal goals should be.

Let's take the mystery out of how to use this helpful tool that quickly provides you with information to help you to live healthy with diabetes.

Blood glucose monitors have been simplified over the past few years but let's talk about three crucial steps that will ensure successful glucose testing. Those steps are:

• Proper skin preparation

• Adequate sample size and

• Consistent use of your log.



Skin preparation

Washing your hands in warm soapy water helps dilate the blood vessels and removes any material that could alter the test results.

The importance of hand washing became obvious recently when a patient reported that she consistently had high readings in the morning but lower readings as the day progressed. After doing some detective work, I uncovered that she often prepared fruit for breakfast before testing and fruit juice was on her skin when she got her blood sample.

Once she started thorough hand washing before testing, her fasting test results dropped from 150mg/dL to 115mg/dL. I can't guarantee the same results for you, but proper hand washing is important.



Sample size

An adequate sample size will help you to minimize discomfort and to conserve your test strips.

For less discomfort, use the sides of your fingers or the base of your thumb because there are fewer nerve endings. Most lancets have a depth adjustment so you can obtain a drop of blood without having to "milk" the site, which can be painful.

Additionally, an inadequate sample may not be sufficient to complete the test, so you must start over with a new test strip, which can become expensive. Depending on your monitor, glucose test results will be available in five-10 seconds.



Keeping a log

The third crucial step is to write your test results in your log so you can look for trends.

All monitors have a built-in memory of the test results but nothing matches putting pen to paper and placing your test results in the appropriate column each day to have an impact; whether before a meal, after a meal or at bedtime.

Over time, a pattern will develop and you will be able to see the impact of meals and exercise on your glucose levels. Make sure you take your log to your medical appointments so your provider can see your progress.

Glucose testing is a helpful tool to help you control your diabetes, so make sure you get accurate results with each test.



Susan Sorensen is a registered nurse who does diabetes education in the community. She can be reached at www.starlady

diabetes.com.







OMC recognized for diabetes management

The American Diabetes Association has recognized Olympic Medical Center for its diabetes self-management program.

The association awards "Education Recognition" to organizations with health care professionals who provide patients with information on how to manage diabetes. Olympic Medical Center has maintained this recognition by the ADA since the late 1990s. This recent certification is active for the next four years.

Approximately 7 percent of the Clallam County population has diabetes and the risk is growing among youths.

"Ask your doctor if you're at risk," said Candi Schaefermeyer, R.N., certified diabetes educator at Olympic Medical Center.

"If you are, some lifestyle changes can help you stay healthy. If you do have diabetes, our program can help you stay in control. Diabetes can be a tough condition to manage. We can work with you and your provider to keep you on track."

For more information about the diabetes education program, call Olympic Medical Center's nutrition services department at 417-7125 or see www.olympic medical.org and click on "Services" and "Nutrition/Diabetes."