Your health is your greatest asset – without it, it can take you down a path of illness and possibly even a premature demise. Every medical condition requires careful health management. A doctor will give you a plan to use at home to take better care of yourself after you’ve been diagnosed with a disease, such as diabetes. If you’ve been recently diagnosed with this dangerous condition, you need to pay special attention to your body and follow your diabetes management plan to the T.
There are different types of tools you will need to help you with the management of your diabetes. It’s essential that you take good care of these devices, so that you can continue your regimen without any hiccups. The last thing you need is for your glucose meter to break, leaving you wondering what your current blood sugar levels are. This can prove dangerous if you have type 1 diabetes, which exhibits symptoms that are more severe and dangerous.
The following tips can be used to learn how to properly care for your diabetes supplies.
Maintaining Your Glucose Meter
This is one of the most important tools you have for maintaining your diabetes, so we’ll begin with this device. Your glucose meter is what you use to carefully monitor your blood sugar levels and notify you when it’s time to take insulin, eat or cut back on sugar. In order to keep your meter in good condition, you need to keep it out of extreme temperatures, both intense heat and freezing cold. If you like to keep a meter inside of your vehicle, make sure it’s taken out on days that are really cold or hot. Pay attention to weather forecasts so you can plan accordingly.
Properly Storing Insulin
Your insulin is another vital part of your diabetes regimen. It’s important to store it in proper temperatures to keep it from going bad. Make sure to keep the insulin cool, but not in freezing temperatures. You should never allow it to become frozen. Extreme heat and cold can ruin the insulin. It’s best to keep your insulin pens and vials inside of your refrigerator on a normal setting. You can also carry it around in your bag without worrying of it spoiling. Just make sure to keep it outside of direct sunlight.
Keep the Pump Protected
The purpose of the pump is to help with the insulation of your insulin in regards to heat. If heat is an issue, you can put a cold gel pack in the bag you carry your insulin in, but avoid putting a pack that is frozen. If you have plans to be outside in the sun for a long time, you can cover the pump with a towel to help limit exposure. You can also disconnect your pump, but for no longer than an hour. If it’s allowed to be disconnected for longer than an hour, you will have to adjust the insulin infusion rate to allow for the missed doses.
Organize Your Diabetes Supplies
It’s best to have all of your supplies in their proper place so that you can access whatever you need quickly. All of your medications should be stored neatly in a designated area, such as your bathroom, bedroom or kitchen. You can use a labeled cabinet or drawer for storage of needles, test strips, lancets, pen needles, syringes and alcohol wipes. There are drawer organizers you can purchase to keep everything organized.
It’s also a good idea to educate you family members about your supplies so they know where to find it and not to touch it unless you’re in need of it. This way, no one accidentally misplaces your things.
Protect Your Test Strips
Test strips can cost a pretty penny, which is why you should give extra care to keep them safe. Test strips are necessary for keeping track of your glucose levels. Avoid having the strips exposed to extreme temperatures and make sure the cap is tightly closed on the canister. Doing so will maintain the integrity of the strips, and lock out debris and moisture.
If you have extra test strips you no longer use, you can find companies who buys test strips. You can sell test strips for many reasons, like when you need extra money or simply no longer need them. Make sure the buyer you sell diabetic test strips to is reputable. Most will offer cash for test strips fairly quickly.