Hot weather does affect blood sugar levels. It increases the risk of low blood glucose levels, known as hypoglycemia. It’s especially dangerous for those taking medications to lower blood sugar levels such as insulin. Your metabolism is higher in hot and humid weather, causing insulin to be absorbed quicker.

Much will depend upon how well hydrated you are and your activity level. Conversely, if you’re being physically active and not staying hydrated, your glucose levels can increase. Managing diabetes in hot weather is a balancing act and requires additional vigilance in extremely hot weather conditions.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

The body sweats to cool itself. If you have nerve damage, it can also affect your sweat glands and your ability to sweat properly. This result in heat exhaustion or heat stroke, two very serious conditions that can require hospitalization.

Damage to Insulin and Testing Supplies

Test strips use enzymes and chemicals to test blood sugar levels. Exposure to high heat can damage them, resulting in false readings. The same is true for glucose meters that can be damaged in the high temperatures that come with summer. Insulin must also be maintained at certain temperatures or it degrades and loses efficacy.

Dehydration

When you’re dehydrated, a hormone called vasopressin is released. It tells the kidneys to retain water. This makes it more difficult for the body to regulate insulin usage. As more water is consumed, you’ll urinate more frequently, but you’ll still feel thirsty.

The Takeaway

Hot and humid weather can make your blood glucose levels rise or decrease, depending on what you’ve eaten, hydration, physical activity, and if you have nerve damage. It’s difficult enough to manage your blood sugar levels in optimal conditions and summer weather can make it a more difficult task, especially if the disease isn’t tightly controlled. However, with proper precautions, no one with diabetes has to miss out on summer fun.

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A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) has changed the lives of an untold number of diabetics. The systems have enabled individuals to gain better control over the disease, manage it more effectively, and aid in mitigating many of the healthcare concerns associated with diabetes.

A CGM is a prescription only medical device. Some healthcare insurance providers will pay for the device, others won’t, and individuals may need to meet specific eligibility requirements It can take some time to learn how to use it, but it is effective in gaining better control of diabetes.

Sensors and Fewer Finger Pricks

A continuous glucose monitor uses a sticky patch that adheres to the skin. It has tiny sensors that penetrate just below the surface of the skin to monitor glucose levels 24/7. The patch is also equipped with a transmitter that sends readings wirelessly to a cell phone, wearable or handheld device, or insulin pump to tell people what their glucose level is at any given time.

Depending on the manufacturer, the transmitter may or may not be reuseable. Diabetics will need to learn how to apply the sensor, calibrate the device (for some models), and transfer data to their computer or cell phone for analytics if desired.

Eliminates Unpredictability

Diabetes creates highs and lows in blood glucose levels, making it difficult to control and requiring multiple testing throughout the day. Each individual reacts differently to the foods they eat, which can make control challenging. A CGM helps diabetics know how different foods affect their glucose levels.

Multiple Devices and Features

Several companies manufacture CGMs and they all work in a similar manner. The sensor patch needs to be changed periodically and the frequency will depend on the manufacturer, usually every 7 to 14 days. CGMs may have a variety of features, such as downloading data to share it with their healthcare provider.

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Eating healthy for diabetes simply means eating healthy foods. doing so in moderation, and consuming those that don’t create spikes in blood glucose levels. However, healthy eating does require an understanding of the foods that offer the best benefits, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels. You can create your own diabetic meal plans to suit yourself or choose from among the many companies that provide premade meal designed specifically for diabetics.

Fruits, Grains and Vegetables

A diabetic diet relies heavily on fruits, grains and vegetables. It provides the body with required nutrients, helps prevent weight gain, and controls blood glucose levels.

Healthy Carbs

Carbohydrates that digest slowly have a low glycemic index. They include a wide range of fruits packed in water and with no added sugars. Raw fruits low in sugar include blackberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwi, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon.

Fiber Rich Foods

Foods containing fiber help keep the digestive tract in optimal working condition. Fiber rich foods include apples, bran-based cereals, beans, broccoli, brown rice, cauliflower, green peas, nuts, pears, quinoa, and whole grains.

Essential Nutrients

Adding vegetables to any diet provides essential vitamins and minerals the body needs for a variety of processes. They also contain antioxidants. The darker the color, the healthier and higher the level of antioxidants. They encompass Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, spinach, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables, along with kidney, black and pinto beans.

Dairy

A variety of dairy products provide calcium for strong bones. Choose low-fat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese.

Meat, Fish, Poultry

Fish is the best choice, but the white meat of chicken and the dark meat of turkey are equally beneficial. Select lean, non-fatty cuts of meat, fish and poultry

Regular Meals

Eating at regular intervals is essential to maintain energy and avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. Meal times can be set to meet individual schedules.

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Many of the early signs of impending diabetes, often called pre-diabetes, are silent, go unnoticed, or are attributed to other factors. Some people go for years without being diagnosed. However, there are some warning signs of which everyone should be cognizant, even those without a family history of the disease or have a genetic component.

Diabetes is more prevalent in some demographics than others. They include African-Americans (12.1%) Hispanic/Latin populations (11.8%), and Native Americans/Alaska Natives (14.5 %), though it can occur in anyone. Some Pacific Islanders and Asian-Americans also have an increased risk at (9.5%).

Increased Thirst

The body attempts to eradicate elevated sugar levels through the kidneys. This requires more water, resulting in increased thirst.

Increased Urination

As the kidneys call for increased liquid intake to remove excess sugar from the blood stream, more frequent urination is experienced.

Feeling Very Hungry

Insufficient insulin in the body means individuals don’t use the food they eat efficiently for energy. They often feel hungry and increased food intake can lead to weight gain.

Extreme Fatigue

Insulin converts food to energy for the body to use in everyday activities. Insufficient insulin levels interfere with that process, making people feel tired and fatigued.

Blurry Vision

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to optical nerves, leading to blurry vision and the potential for future blindness.

Pain, Tingling, Numbness

Known as diabetic neuropathy, diabetes damages nerves that results in pain, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.

Slow Healing

Damage to blood vessels impedes the flow of blood, inhibiting the body’s ability to deliver nutrients to wounds and injuries, resulting in slower healing.

Darkened Skin

Some people experience darkening of the skin, particularly on the neck, in the armpits, and the groin area.

Weight Gain/Loss

The body produces insulin to convert food to energy as fuel for everyday activities. When sufficient insulin isn’t present, food can turn to weight gain.
Conversely, the body begins to use body fat for fuel, which causes weight loss. Known as ketoacidosis, it’s a dangerous condition in which the blood becomes acidic.
 

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Proper management of diabetes is critical to delay and even avoid some of the most common detrimental effects of the disease that includes cardiovascular and kidney disease, blindness and the potential for amputation. There are a number of simple tools that individuals have at their disposal to successfully manage diabetes.

Glucose Monitors

Anyone with the disease has a close relationship with their glucose monitor and the test strips it uses to measure blood glucose levels. Testing before or after meals is intensely important, depending on the type of insulin being taken. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices provide a moment-by-moment measurement of blood sugar levels, allowing individuals to make appropriate decisions in real-time.

Medications

Individuals are typically prescribed medications – in addition to insulin – to perform functions that include enhancing insulin efficacy to controlling blood pressure. It’s imperative that individuals take their medications as directed and not skip dosages because they’re “feeling better.”

Apps

A wide variety of apps are available to help individuals make healthy choices in the foods they consume to the number of calories they’ve burned in various activities. According to studies, turning to tech as a means of managing diabetes can be a highly effective tool.

Healthy Food Choices

Choose fruits and vegetables that are rated low on the glycemic index. Generally, darker colored fruits and vegetables are best and have the added bonus of containing high levels of antioxidants. Add whole grains to the diet and choose low-fat dairy products. Select lean fish, dark meat turkey, and white meat chicken for protein.

Support Groups

Even though family and friends may know what diabetes is on an intellectual level, they can’t fully comprehend the dozens of decisions individuals must make on a daily basis. A diabetic support group is comprised of other people who know and understand the struggles associated with the disease.

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People with diabetes have to worry about major issues that affect their blood glucose levels on a daily basis. Those things are far more important than many people suspect. There are 5 major long-term effects of diabetes that day-to-day monitoring can aid in mitigating.

Vision Loss

People with diabetics can experience a number of eye conditions that end in reduced vision or blindness. They include diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage optical blood vessels. It typically occurs with macular edema, in which the eye’s macula swell and leak fluid.

Cataracts are more common in diabetics with poorly managed glucose levels, causing clouding of the lens. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can occur due to excessive pressure on the optic nerve or blockage of bleed flow.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular problems include heart attack and stroke. Individuals are twice as likely to die from a heart attack if they’re diabetic. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels through the build up of plaque from cholesterol, also known as hardening of the arteries. Stroke can also occur, resulting in damage to the brain, mental and physical disability, and death.

Kidney Disease

The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste from the body. Diabetes damages blood vessels and impairs the ability of the kidneys to function properly. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease

Nerve Damage

Diabetic neuropathy is the term used to describe diabetic-related nerve damage. Most often experienced in the hands and feet, it can include pain, tingling numbness, or extreme sensitivity to touch. It can also affect the arms, legs, and digestive and urinary tract.

Foot Problems

People with diabetic neuropathy often sustain scrapes, scratches and other types of wounds of the feet without noticing. Those wounds easily become infected due to bacterial, viral or fungal agents. It can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening emergency, or amputation.

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Test strips are one of the essential tools that people with diabetes need to manage their disease. While all test strips measure the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood stream, there are some things that people need to know about the tiny medical devices – especially for those that are newly diagnosed.

How They Work

Test strips utilize a very small amount of blood to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. The blood, combined with enzymes within the strip, creates an electrical impulse that’s transmitted to the meter. The meter produces a digital readout of the amount of sugar in the blood. It tells individuals if they have to administer insulin or eat something if the number is too low.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Each brand of test strips are made for a specific brand of meter. Test strips are not interchangeable among different meter brands.

Cost Varies

The cost of test strips varies widely, depending on the brand. Out-of-pocket costs will depend on an individual’s insurance coverage. Some healthcare insurers pay for more than an individual needs per month, while others may not cover enough.

Glucose meters and test strips can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. That route can be less expensive than using insurance to cover the cost, especially for those that are uninsured or underinsured.

Accuracy and Meter Features

An expensive meter doesn’t automatically make it more accurate. There are store brand meters and test strips that are highly accurate. Meters can have a variety of features that make them more desirable for some, such as large LED displays or those that will give an audible reading.

Personal Choice

The selection of a glucose monitor and the test strips it uses is a personal choice. Some physicians routinely prescribe a certain brand, but the choice is ultimately up to each individual and if they can afford the test strips it uses.

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Diabetic test strips are used by millions of people across the U.S. who have the disease. They provide an effective and efficient way of measuring the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream, but how they accomplish that feat often remains a mystery, even to those that use them. There are more modern methods of testing available, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), but test strips are by far the most often utilized method of testing. CGMs are a more expensive option and many insurers won’t cover the cost of the devices unless clients meet specific eligibility requirements.

Blood Sample

Test strips use a small sample of a person’s blood to measure the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. The end of the test strip is touched to the blood sample and the strip automatically absorbs a small amount of blood into the strip

Enzymes

Test strips are manufactured with an enzyme that reacts to the blood sample. It triggers a bio-chemical electrical current that’s read by a glucose monitor. The more glucose that’s in the blood, the larger the reaction with the enzymes in the test strip. A glucose meter translates the response into a number that’s displayed digitally on the meter.

Deadly Disease

Uncontrolled diabetes leads to a myriad of health complications and can be deadly. The disease can result in blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack, and mental health issues. The damage to nerves and blood vessels – primarily in the feet and legs – can result in amputations. There’s no cure for diabetes, but proper monitoring can aid in preventing or delaying the negative impact it has on the body.

Disease Management

The process of testing glucose levels seems fairly simple, but it’s a highly complex interaction. Make no mistake, diabetic test strips are small but powerful medical devices and critical for the monitoring and management of diabetes.

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Test strips are a necessary part of a multi-step process for monitoring and managing diabetes. With daily monitoring using test strips and a glucose monitor, healthy eating and lifestyle changes, the toll the disease takes on the body can be minimized or delayed.

A Medical Device

Test strips are small but powerful medical devices that are combined with a glucose monitor to measure the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. A high reading by the glucose monitor indicates that insulin needs to be administered. If the reading is too low, it’s an indication that an individual needs to eat something to increase glucose to an optimal level.

The Role of Glucose

The body uses glucose to fuel itself and provide the energy to walk, run and perform ordinary activities. Glucose levels that are too low cause symptoms that can include shakiness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and can lead to coma.

The symptoms of glucose levels that are too high include blurred vision, tiredness, irritability, and excessive thirst and urination along with coma Test strips and a glucose monitor are used to keep track of how high or low glucose levels are throughout the day.

Health Complications

Test strips provide the information individuals need to minimize and delay diabetes related complications ranging from heart and kidney disease to nerve and blood vessel damage, along with the potential for amputation. The disease also takes a toll on mental health. There are dozens of decisions each day about what to consume, how much and when. There’s a considerable amount of worry, anxiety and even fear that comes along with being diagnosed as diabetic.

Control is Key

Diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and glucose level monitoring are all steps in controlling the disease. There’s no cure for diabetes, but the measures individuals take after they’ve been diagnosed will have an impact on their future health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally. Test strips are an integral part of diabetic health and wellbeing.

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If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

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There’s a lot of debate surrounding how often to replace a blood glucose monitor. Manufacturers of the devices recommend doing so every 4 to 5 years to maintain accuracy.

However, purchasing a new meter is also a matter of profitability for manufacturers. Some diabetics report using the same meter for 10 years with great success. There are a number of factors that people may want to consider when deciding when to replace their glucose meter.

Accuracy is Essential

It may be time to replace a glucose monitor if it begins providing suspect readings. Glucose levels that suddenly display as too high or too low when there’s no discernable reason could indicate the need for a new meter. Don’t let the battery power level get too low. There are also testing solutions that can be used to ascertain the accuracy of the meter’s readings.

It’s a good idea to compare at-home testing results with those of the lab when individuals visit their physician if there’s concern. If the at-home readings are within a point or two of the lab results, it may not be the meter that’s a problem.

Test Strips

Be aware that the test strips used in the devices can also be at fault. Test strips must be stored away from high heat, moisture, and be used before the expiration date. The enzymes used in the strips can deteriorate and give faulty readings. Alcohol, hand sanitizer and other substances on the skin can also affect readings. Be sure the strips are inserted correctly.

Blood Sample

Fingers are generally pricked to obtain a blood sample for use in the meter. Samples from other locations don’t provide a reading that’s as accurate. Dehydration and anemia will affect the outcome of testing.

New Meter

Individuals don’t need a cause for concern to replace their current glucose monitor. They may want a meter that uses less expensive test strips or they may desire a meter with updated/upgraded abilities, features and technology.

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If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

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