Glucose meters come in portable and continuous monitoring types, used to determine glucose levels in the blood. Diabetes and hypoglycemia patients should monitor their levels. Portable meters use test strips, while continuous meters use a sensor under the skin and are more expensive but preferred for hospital inpatients and diabetics who struggle to control their levels.
The different types of glucose meters include portable and continuous monitoring. Blood glucose meters are used to determine the amount of glucose in a person’s blood. People who have diabetes or hypoglycemia should monitor their glucose levels to make sure they have an adequate amount in their blood.
Diabetes is a disease that causes the body to produce too little insulin or makes the body insulin resistant. If there isn’t enough insulin in the blood, blood glucose levels get too high, which can lead to increased thirst, frequent urination, and increased hunger. Hypoglycemia is a condition that causes too little blood glucose in the brain. Symptoms typically include feeling tired, but can also lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, and brain damage in severe cases.
Portable blood glucose meters are the most common type. The meter is a small, battery-operated device used in conjunction with test strips to periodically check glucose levels. The person should prick their finger using a disposable lancet and place a drop of blood in the pad at the end of the test strip. The test strip is inserted into the portable blood glucose meter and the glucose level is displayed. Most people with diabetes test their glucose levels before eating a meal and again about two hours after eating to determine if blood sugar levels are too high.
Continuously monitored blood glucose meters are often used by diabetics who have extreme cases of the disease. By using one of the continuous monitoring meters, the person knows at all times what his blood glucose levels are. This helps prevent sudden spikes or drops in glucose levels and also alerts patients when medication needs to be administered.
Continuous glucose meters work using a sensor placed under the skin. The sensor detects the percentage of blood glucose in the tissues and sends the information to an electronic receiver typically worn on a belt like a pager. Information is also transmitted via radio receiver and uploaded for data storage. This is especially useful for doctors when trying to monitor blood glucose levels in patients who have significant swings in their levels.
The sensors in continuous glucose meters need to be replaced every few days, which makes this type of meter more expensive than the portable meters most people use. The information provided, however, makes continuously monitoring blood glucose meters the preferred option for hospital inpatients and diabetics who find it difficult to control their sugar levels even with insulin injections. This is because levels can be collected every few minutes without requiring a finger prick or blood draw.
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