The Home Blood Glucose Test

The Home Blood Glucose Test

What is home blood glucose test? In simplest terms, it’s a test carried out by diabetic patients to ascertain the level of glucose in their blood. Such a test can be carried out in the home of a diabetic patient by the patient himself, hence the name, home blood glucose test. The test is required to be performed by the patient at frequent intervals, in some cases daily, and in some cases two to three times a day. Indeed, the frequency of testing is necessary as, if the blood glucose level exceeds the limits then the patient risks suffering a heart or other life threatening problem. Diabetic patients cannot visit a lab to test so frequently; the patient conveniently performs the test and administers the doses of insulin to rectify the condition in the comforts of home.

The most essential equipment component required to carry out home testing of blood glucose levels consists of a calibration meter. The calibration meter is available from a variety of companies around the world. Some come with AC adaptors, others are fitted with batteries. Diabetic testers may be required to make use of a single AA battery or an AAA battery. However this is the most preferred version to the AC power supply model due to its portability.

The next testing component to consider is testing strips. The testing strips may be manufactured by the same company that provides the testing meters. It would be advisable to use testing strips from the same company as the meter you are using. This ensures compatibility between the meter and the strip. The testing strips are stored in air tight bottles so as not to allow moisture to affect the strip. Some meters have a container along with the machine for storing the strips.

Diabetic patients may make use of a solution called the “sugar solution control”. This solution is used on the strip, to help read the data from the strip. Nowadays most machines do not require this solution and hence you can do away with it.

Once all is ready, it’s time to do the most dreaded part—the patient must prick himself. This is accomplished with the help of a needle called a “lancet,” a short needle that has a pre-determined length. The lancet ensures that the prick doesn’t go too deep but just the right depth to get a single drop of blood. One cannot hold the needle in hand and hence a tester should have a holder in which to fit the needle. A holder is a pen shaped device which holds the needle and which also determines how deep the pricking should be.

Last but not the least, cotton balls and rubbing alcohol are required to stop the bleeding and to clean the area to be pricked before and after cleaning.

This should be a good start in learning what a home blood glucose test is, who requires it and what equipment is needed for carrying out a home blood glucose test. Of course, this article is intended to be used for general informational purposes only. Patients should consult their physician for questions pertaining to their condition.

Jonathan Doemacher writes for <a href="http://www.diabeticseniors.com">Diabetic Seniors</a>, an informative resource about diabetes for senior patients and caregivers. Visit Diabetic Seniors at this address: http://www.diabeticseniors.com

Acne Program – Step 2: Using Acne Face Cream

After you have washed your face with a chemical free soap, use an applicator to dip into Scotty’s face cream or you favorite face cream. Place the cream on your face and spread it all around. Massage the cream into your face gently so the skin absorbs the oils in this cream. These oils will seal the pores and hold the natural moisture of the skin and enhance the curing effects of the cream You can use the cream 2-3 times a day. It is best to use it after you have cleaned your face in the morning and right before you go to bed. You can also use it during noontime. You can use Scotty’s’ cream under your makeup or over your makeup. It will work either way. However, it will work better on a clean face. You will notice that when you apply the cream it will tingle in areas without sores and may sting in areas of open sores. This will pass and as it does it should reduce the itchiness of any sores. Scotty’s cream has allantoin, which will help to clear acne sores. The oils, vitamin A and E, and minerals in Scotty’s will help to feed, rebuild, and rejuvenate your skin. The minerals also help to neutralize the toxic acids that have contaminated and inflamed pores on your face. During cleansing and fasting, more acid waste may come out of your pores. This is why Scotty’s cream will help you to reduce the inflammation and spread your acne. Tree Tea Oil To make Scotty’s cream or your own cream even more powerful, you can add 5-10 drops of pure tree tea oil to a two-ounce container. You can experiment with the amount to add. You may want to add more drops to provide more tea tree oil for your face. But, do not use more than 15 drops. Tree tea oil has been found to be effective in various skin disorders. It acts as an antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial. This oil helps to bring oxygen to the skin cell, which kills bacteria and fungus and helps to repair damaged skin caused by acne. Borage Oil There is one more thing that you can add to Scotty’s face cream or your favorite acne cream that will boost its acne clearing power. This is borage oil. Borage oil contains EPA and DHA, which helps to control excessive hormones that cause the over production of sebum. It is the adrenal glands that produce streams of androgens during puberty. These large quantities of androgens help to activate bone growth and assist in bringing forth sexual maturity. A side effect of these androgens is the release of excess oil from the oil glands near the hair follicle. This excess gives rise to § black heads § white heads § pimples § cysts So here’s what you can do to make your face cream even more effective, § Mix one or two capsules of Borage oil into your cream § Do this by cutting the tip off of the Borage oil softgel and squeeze the oil into the cream There is a new form of EPA and DHA that is available in a product called Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) NKO is the new EPA and DHA product, which maybe better to use than Borage Oil. NKO has the omega-3, EPA and DHA in the phospholipid form, which is easier for your cells to absorb compared with Borage oil. Borage oil contains the omega-3, EPA, and DHA in triglyceride form, which is more difficult for cells to absorb. One other good property of NKO is that is does not have to be refrigerated like Borage. It can be kept in a cool place in your cabinets. However, it does cost more than Borage oil. Word of Caution: As with all creams and oils, if you get any rash or skin reactions when using them, discontinue their use. Use a good face cream to help clear your acne. You can boost the power of this cream by adding tree tea oil and borage or NKO oil.

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author an acne e-book which can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for–you.info or for tips and information on skin care go to : http://www.good-skin-care.com

Acne Program – Step 4: Adding Essential Fatty Acids To Your Diet

Getting sufficient essential fatty acids is importance in clearing acne. It’s these fatty acids that help control the production of androgens – the hormones that surge during the teen-age times, which causes excess sebum oil to clog your hair follicle and contribute to creating your acne. The three fatty acids you need daily are omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. You need more omega 6, olive oil, than omega 3. When you are deficient in the essential fatty acids, you will have, § A weaken immune system § Inflammatory disorders § Poor skin § Skin eruptions that won’t heal § Increase sebum production causing acne § Sebaceous glands size increase Eating essential oils is necessary to provide the right oils that are used in the sebaceous glands. These oils can come from straight vegetable oils or from oils in specific foods such as nuts and seeds. Use flax seed oil (omega-3 oil) and olive oil (omega-6 oil) in your salad. These are the best oils to eat and are called polyunsaturated fatty acids. The other oil that is even better for you is called monounsaturated fatty acid, omega-9. This oil is found in avocados. Most diets people have contain an excess of omega-6 oils, so mostly likely you need to concentrate on getting more omega-3 oils into your diet. You can get omega-3 oil from, § avocados § sesame seeds § pumpkin seeds § walnuts § dark leafy green vegetables (spinach, mustard greens, kale) § wheat germ oil § salmon § sardines § albacore tuna Or, you can take one to 4 tablespoon of flax seed oil, omega-3 oil, each day. This will give you the amount of omega-3 oil that your body needs to reduce or eliminate acne blemishes. You can add this oil to your morning cereal, soups, smoothies, salads and other liquid foods. Each tablespoon of flax seed oil contains about 100 calories. You can get omega-6 oil from, § Flaxseed oil § Flaxseeds § grape seed oil § pistachio nuts § olives § olive oil § sunflower seeds § evening primrose oil § pumpkin seeds Taking 2-3 tablespoons of omega-6 oil a day will give you the amount of this oil that you body needs. You can add olive oil and other oils into your salad with the flax seed oil. You can get omega-9 oil from, § Olive oil § Avocados § Cashews § Almonds § Olives § sesame oil § pecans § pistachio nuts Taking around 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil per day will give you the omega-9 oil that your body needs. Fish Oils In addition to supplying your diet with omega-3 and omega-6 oils, you need to supplement your diet with fish oils. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA fatty acids. Normally, enzymes in your body break down omega-6 into EPA and DHA fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) These two fatty acids eventually change into prostaglandins. What are prostaglandins? Prostaglandins are chemical hormones that come from omega-3 and omega-6 oils and that help, regulate every function in your cells and organs. Postaglandins also keep androgen hormones in control so that excess sebum is not produce in the hair follicle, which results in acne. However, eating plenty essential fatty acids may not insure that you produce enough EPA and DHA, which produce the essential prostaglandins. It is critical for acne and more importantly for your health that you get enough EPA and DHA in your cells and organs so they can produce the required prostaglandins. To increase the prostaglandins in your cell walls, it is necessary for you to take a fish supplement, which contains both the EPA and DHA. Of course eating salmon, halibut, and mackerel twice a week will be a plus in providing your body with more EPA and DHA. Include at least 20% of your diet calories as good fats – omega oils and fish oil. This is essential for controlling the excess activity of your hormones and reducing the inflammation of your acne.

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author an acne e-book can be found at: http://www.acne-remedies.for–you.info or for more tips on skin care go to: http://www.good-skin-care.com

Skin Cancer Myths… Are You Safe?

Sara spends much of her summer near the beach. She lives in a mild climate and is very athletic. She loves to swim, bike, and play games outdoors. Sara knows the dangers of the sun and so she opts for tanning salons to get her ‘golden glow’ while being sure to apply sunscreen every day before heading out.

Joseph lives in a cooler, northern climate. The summers can be very humid, but most of the year is mild or even below freezing during the harshest winter months. The beach has never been much of a draw for him and he spends most of his time doing indoor activities or at his job. Joseph doesn’t worry about sunscreen and only had one sunburn that he can remember and that was when he was a child.

——————–

Which of these examples do you most associate yourself with? Did you know that Sara and Joseph are both at risk of developing skin cancer? We have all heard the warnings about the dangers of sun exposure. We know all about the importance of wearing sunscreen and hats. But are YOU protected from skin cancer? Consider these myths and facts:

- Myth: Tanning Beds are Safer than the Sun

20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to four hours in the sun. Although sun beds use UVA rather than UVB rays, ‘The Skin Cancer Answer’ states that “UVA penetrates more deeply into the skin than UVB, can cause skin cancer, and may suppress the immune system.”

- Myth: Wearing Sunscreen at the Beach is Protection

85 percent of UV rays can even make it through on cloudy days. That means you are equally at risk in the car, walking the dog or letting your children out to play at any time of year – even when you’re not at the beach. Of course, you are usually less attired at the beach and so covering up is recommended even when wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen also wears off with sweat and water and should always be applied every two hours or after getting wet.

- Myth: Taking Care Of Your Skin Now Will Protect You

Sadly, skin cancer can take 20 or more years to develop. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that most people receive about 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is estimated to double the risk of melanoma later in life. Taking better care now will reduce the risk, but not eliminate the damage already done.

- Myth: Having a Tan Means You’re More Protected

Dark skinned individuals are less likely to develop cancer, but tanned skin is actually damaged skin. Repeated tanning injures the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.

So how do you plan to protect your family this year? Some suggestions are to limit exposure to the sun – especially for infants. Examine your skin for early signs of damage. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure and every two hours after that. Teach your children good safety habits and be sure you and they are covered up when outdoors.

Have fun and be safe.

Paul Wolbers is a Fitness Enthusiast dedicated to helping others achieve physical fitness, longer life, and better overall health. You can visit his website and discover more at: http://www.MagnumNutrition.com

- Ezine editors / Site owners: Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety. Leave all links in place. Do not modify the content, and include the resource box exactly as listed above.