Millions of people around the world deal with diabetes, a condition where blood sugar (or glucose) levels are too high. The food we eat is the main source of glucose. Normally, insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps our bodies absorb glucose into cells to be used for energy. However, if your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly, diabetes can develop.
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t live a healthy and active life. It can be managed by regularly checking blood glucose levels. If you’re diabetic, you need to avoid both low (hypoglycemia) and high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Regular monitoring is crucial to keep these levels in check.
The goal of diabetes treatment is to control blood sugar levels, which requires consistent monitoring. By managing these levels, you can prevent them from getting too high or too low, and avoid potential tissue damage caused by excess sugar in the bloodstream. It’s important to check your blood glucose at different times throughout the day. A good time is before and after meals, usually around two hours after eating, which can vary depending on your medication.
Different people have different monitoring needs based on their treatment plans. To measure blood sugar levels, you’ll use a glucose meter. This device takes a drop of blood from your fingertip to test the glucose level. The glucose meter includes a lancing device that pricks your fingertip to get the drop of blood. This pricking can be painful and uncomfortable for some, but there are ways to reduce this pain.
There are two main types of lancets: traditional and pip lancets. They come in various sizes, with some specifically designed for children, requiring less blood than those for adults. Traditional lancets are the classic type, typically a piece of plastic with a needle under a rounded cap. You twist off the cap to use it. While traditional lancets can be used alone, most people prefer using them with a lancer, a syringe-like device that helps draw blood.
Pip lancets were once used only in hospitals but are now available for everyone. They are more convenient and allow for safer disposal after testing. One of the biggest advantages of pip lancets is that they often eliminate pain associated with traditional lancets. These single-use lancets keep the needle covered, preventing accidental pricks and making it easier to control the needle’s depth, which reduces pain and skin damage.
Despite these improvements, some pain is inevitable when drawing blood, as the lancet must break the skin. Pip lancets are generally less painful than traditional ones, but individual pain tolerance varies. Finding the best lancet for less pain involves some trial and error.
In addition to using pip lancets, you can try pricking the side of your fingers instead of the tips, as the skin there is tougher and may be less painful. Avoid cleaning your hands with an alcohol wipe before testing, as it can dry out your skin and make it harder to prick.
It’s also recommended not to reuse lancets, even if it’s more economical. Repeated use dulls the needle, making it less effective and potentially more painful.
For diabetics, daily glucose monitoring becomes routine. Knowing that each test may cause some discomfort isn’t something anyone looks forward to, so finding ways to reduce or eliminate pain is always welcome. While pip lancets can’t guarantee a pain-free experience for everyone, they significantly reduce discomfort for most users.
There you have it, some helpful tips for reducing pain when measuring your blood sugar.
