Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring (cont.)
Drug therapy
Drug therapy for diabetes requires medications available only by prescription. Insulin may be given by injection beneath the
skin. Oral medications are available
that increase the release of insulin from the pancreas
and/or increase the responsiveness of the body's cells to
the insulin that already is produced by the body.
How is diabetic treatment monitored at home?
The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose
levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Glucose levels are
lowered into a normal range, if possible, but it is important not to reduce the
levels to abnormally low levels which can cause symptoms such as sweating, increased heart rate, and even loss of
consciousness. Therefore, it is necessary not only to
treat the diabetes but to monitor the effects of treatment
on blood glucose levels to avoid overtreatment or undertreatment of the diabetes.
There are two types of tests for blood glucose
monitoring in the home. The first type uses a reagent strip, and the second type
uses a reagent strip and a glucose meter.
Glucose also can be measured in the
urine.
Ketoacidosis is a complication of the inadequate treatment
of diabetes. This condition can be identified by testing
the urine for ketones.
Blood glucose reagent strips
Reagent strips are saturated with glucose oxidase, an enzyme that interacts with glucose. When a drop of blood is placed on the strip, the glucose oxidase chemically reacts with the blood glucose and the resultant reaction produces a color change on the strip. The higher the
glucose level, the greater the reaction and the more dramatic the color change. The blood glucose level can be determined by comparing the color of the strip with a color chart. For accurate results, test strips should be stored at room
temperature and away from moisture. To protect the
strips from moisture, bottles should be closed after use.
The disadvantage of reagent strips alone is that they
do not give an exact glucose measurement. They are accurate
enough, however, to alert patients to seriously high or low
levels of glucose. Examples of reagent strips that are available
over–the–counter (OTC) are Chemstrip bG and Glucostix. For an accurate blood glucose level, the reagent strip must be combined with a
blood glucose meter. (See below.)
Next: Blood glucose meters »
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