Diabetes affects people worldwide, arising when blood sugar, or glucose, levels are too high. The main source of glucose is the food we eat. Our bodies use insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, to absorb glucose from food into our cells, where it’s used for energy. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly, diabetes occurs.
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t live a healthy, active life. Managing diabetes involves regularly checking your blood glucose levels to avoid lows (hypoglycemia) and highs (hyperglycemia). Treatment aims to control these levels, which can prevent tissue damage caused by too much sugar in the bloodstream.
It’s important to check your blood glucose at different times throughout the day, such as before and after meals, usually about two hours after eating, depending on your medication. The number of times you need to check your levels daily will vary based on your treatment plan.
To measure your glucose levels, you’ll use a glucose meter. This device requires a drop of blood from your fingertip, obtained via a lancing device that pricks your finger. While this process can be uncomfortable and even painful for some, there are ways to minimize the pain.
There are two main types of lancets used in glucose monitors: traditional lancets and pip lancets. Traditional lancets have a needle protected by a cap, and while they can be used on their own, they are often used with a lancer device for easier blood drawing. Pip lancets, initially only found in hospitals, are now available for personal use. They are more convenient and safer to dispose of after use. Pip lancets also tend to be less painful because the needle is never exposed, reducing accidental pricking and better controlling needle penetration.
There will always be some pain when the skin is pricked to draw blood. However, pip lancets often cause less pain than traditional ones, though pain tolerance varies from person to person. Deciding the best lancet involves some trial and error.
To further reduce pain, you can try pricking the side of your fingers, where the skin is tougher, instead of the fingertip itself. Additionally, avoid using alcohol wipes to clean your skin before testing, as alcohol can dry the skin and make it harder to pierce.
It’s also wise not to reuse lancets. Each use blunts the needle, making subsequent pricks more difficult and potentially more painful.
As a diabetic, monitoring your blood glucose levels will be a regular part of your routine. While this process may cause some pain, options like pip lancets can make it less uncomfortable. Finding ways to reduce or eliminate pain from testing blood sugar levels is always beneficial.