Diabetes

Diabetic Supplies

Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose , either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience frequent urination (polyuria), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).

In 2013 it was estimated that over 382 million people throughout the world had diabetes. If you have Type 1 and follow a healthy eating plan, do adequate exercise, and take insulin, you can lead a normal life. As the risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher for a diabetic, it is crucial that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are controlled and monitored regularly.

We meets the needs of our customers with diabetes. We carry a full line diabetes products & diabetes supplies including diabetic testing supplies for self monitoring of blood glucose levels in the home, blood glucose meters, diabetes test strips, lancets, and insulin pump supplies.

Important Diabetes Supplies:

Blood glucose test strips: Blood glucose test strips (diabetes test strips) are a key component of blood glucose testing. These small disposable strips of plastic may look insignificant but they provide a very important role in helping people with diabetes to monitor and control their diabetes. When blood is placed onto the test strip, it reacts with a chemical called glucose oxidase producing gluconic acid from the glucose in the blood. At the other end of the test strip, the meter transfers a current to the test strip. The test strip has electric terminals which allow the meter to measure the current between the terminals.The current between the terminals changes depending on the level of gluconic acid that has been produced. The blood glucose meter then uses an algorithm to work out the blood glucose level based upon the difference in current.

The amount of blood required by a test strip can vary between manufacturers. Generally, between 0.5 μl to 1 μl of blood is required.Blood glucose test strips will usually have a use by date on the strips or box they come in. After opening, blood glucose test strips will typically be good to use for another 3 to 6 months but refer to the box or information leaflet for advice specific to your brand of test strips.

Blood sugar testing monitors: If you have diabetes, you’ll likely need a blood glucose meter to measure and display the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. To use most blood glucose meters, you first insert a test strip into the device. Then you prick a clean fingertip with a special needle (lancet) to get a drop of blood. You carefully touch the test strip to the blood and wait for a blood glucose reading to appear on the screen.

When used and stored properly, blood glucose meters are generally accurate in how they measure glucose. However, a good blood glucose meter with special features may include large, easy-to-handle buttons and test strips, illuminated screens, and audio, which may be useful for people with impaired vision.

Insulin: Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar. There are many types of insulin used to treat diabetes. They include:

* Rapid-acting insulin.This starts to work within a few minutes and lasts for a couple of hours.
* Regular- or short-acting insulin.It takes about 30 minutes to work fully and lasts for 3 to 6 hours.
* Intermediate-acting insulin. This takes 2 to 4 hours to work fully. Its effects can last for up to 18 hours.
* Long-acting insulin.It can work for an entire day.

There are several methods to take insulin. You can give yourself an insulin injection using a needle and syringe, a cartridge system, or pre-filled pen systems. Inhaled insulin, insulin pumps, and a quick-acting insulin device are also available. You might need to take insulin more than once daily, to space your doses throughout the day, and possibly to also take other medicines as advised by your doctor.

Lancet devices and lancets: Lancing is an essential part of successful diabetes management for many diabetics. Lancets are the small, sharp objects that are used to prick the skin. This piercing of the skin allows you to draw a small drop of blood to the surface in order to test blood glucose levels using a blood glucose monitor and blood glucose test strips.

Some diabetics prick themselves with a lancet, most prefer to use a special lancing device. Lancing devices are designed to firmly grip the lancet, and are operated by simply clicking a button. Depending on how thick-skinned the patient is, different settings may be required.

Lancets are designed to only be used once, and then disposed of in a safe way. Using a lancet just once will make it more blunt, and therefore more painful to use. There are a variety of ways of getting rid of used lancets safely as they can carry infection.

Nebulizer: A nebulizer is a type of inhaler that sprays a fine, liquid mist of medication, commonly used in younger children who cannot use a metered dose inhaler. The device consists of an air compressor, a cup for medication, and tubing connected to a mouthpiece or mask through which the medication is inhaled.

Breathing the medication straight into the lungs can work better and faster than taking the medication by mouth. Nebulizer treatments take about 15 to 20 minutes to give the medication. Inhalable insulin which is a powdered form of insulin, is delivered with the help of a nebulizer into the lungs.