Millions of people around the world have diabetes, a condition where blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. Glucose primarily comes from the food we eat. Our bodies use a hormone called insulin, produced by the pancreas, to help absorb glucose into cells, which is used for energy. Diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively.
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t live a healthy and active life. It requires careful management of blood glucose levels. Diabetics need to avoid both low (hypoglycemia) and high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), so regular monitoring is key.
The goal of diabetes treatment is to keep blood sugar levels in check. You can do this by systematically monitoring your blood sugar throughout the day. This helps prevent extreme highs and lows, and avoids potential tissue damage caused by too much sugar in the blood.
It’s important to check your blood glucose at different times of the day, especially before and after meals, usually two hours after eating when most of the glucose has been absorbed. The frequency of testing depends on your treatment plan.
To measure your levels, you use a glucose meter. This device draws a drop of blood from your fingertip and tests the glucose level. The meter comes with a lancing device that pricks your fingertip to get the blood sample. While this can be a bit painful for some, there are ways to reduce the discomfort.
There are two main types of lancets for blood sugar testing: traditional lancets and pip lancets. Traditional lancets are simple plastic devices with a needle. To use them, you twist off a protective cap. These can be used alone or with a lancer, which helps prick the finger and draw blood.
Pip lancets, once only available in hospitals, are now accessible to everyone. They work like traditional lancets but are more convenient and safer to dispose of after use. These are single-use devices with needles that are never exposed, minimizing the risk of accidental pricking. They also allow better control over needle depth, which often reduces pain and skin damage.
While the process of drawing blood can be uncomfortable, pip lancets are generally less painful. However, pain tolerance varies from person to person, so finding the best lancet might require some experimentation.
In addition to using pip lancets, you can reduce pain by pricking the side rather than the tip of your fingers, as the skin there is tougher. Avoid using alcohol wipes before testing as they can dry out your skin and make pricking more painful. Always use a new lancet for each test to prevent the needle from becoming dull, which can make future pricks more painful.
Daily monitoring of blood glucose levels is essential for diabetics. Any method that can reduce or eliminate the discomfort is beneficial. Pip lancets are a great option for many, offering a less painful experience when testing blood sugar levels.
