In our experience, having type 2 diabetes might feel like a never-ending experiment that goes on for the rest of your life.
It is necessary to keep a food diary and evaluate how each item affects your blood sugar levels after being consumed. If you take insulin, you need to figure out how much of it to take to balance off the number of carbohydrates that you have consumed. If you engage in physical activity, you must consider it as well.
There is a wide range of technology and equipment available today that can assist you in managing all of this, and doing so may make a significant impact.
A glucose meter, which is also known as a glucometer, is the piece of equipment that a person who has diabetes needs to have the most. You may determine your current blood sugar level with a simple finger stick, and the result will tell you how much sugar is in your blood.
Even though you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you will still need to check your blood sugar using a meter on occasion. When choosing a glucometer, the following are some factors to take into consideration:
- Does your health care plan include coverage for the test strips? Most of the time, meters are free, but test strips are not.
- How simple is it to read the display? Does it have a light that you can turn on so you can read in the dark?
- Are the buttons well labeled and straightforward to use?
- Do you think the size of the meter is appropriate for you?
- Are you able to conveniently exchange data with the medical professionals who are treating you?
- Are you able to monitor other factors, such as insulin, carbohydrate consumption, and exercise?
- Are you able to take notes with each reading that you do?
Determine what is most important to you and then choose a meter that reflects that importance. The capacity to write notes, the pricing, and the ability to share data are the aspects that are most significant to me.
Apps
In this day and age, there is an app for everything. When it comes to diabetes, applications can:
- keep a log of your blood sugar readings and display any trends you see
- check your diet
- record your exercise
- provide a peer support community
- provide access to diabetes educators and fitness trainers who have received extensive training
- Save money on life insurance with type 2 diabetes
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
When eventually asked doctor about CGMs, I had already heard about them from members of my support group. CGMs like those made by Dexcom and Medtronic are examples. He was a major supporter of the FreeStyle Libre and claimed that the gadget has helped many of his patients with type 2 diabetes achieve significant improvements in their A1C levels.
The FreeStyle Libre is comprised of the sensor and the reader, both of which are included in the package. The sensor will attach itself to the inside side of your upper arm. To obtain a reading of your blood sugar, you will need to wave the reader over the sensor.
If you don’t use insulin, most insurance policies won’t cover a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), so you may need to pay for it yourself. There is only a one-time cost for the reader, which was $65 for me, but you will need to replace the sensor every two weeks.
Other Machines And Pieces Of Technology
Medication pens, insulin pumps, and fitness trackers are a few examples of additional forms of technology and technologies that might be helpful in the treatment of diabetes.
Injectable drugs can be administered precisely and in a more convenient manner using pens. Insulin pumps work by continuously delivering insulin to the body through the use of a catheter that is placed under the skin. Wearable fitness trackers are essentially little computers that keep track of how much movement their users get throughout the day. Your heart rate and how well you sleep are two of the things that some of them track.
The Main Point To Be Learned
Do not be reluctant to engage in novel activities. You may come across something that simplifies and alleviates some of the stress associated with treating your disease.
