Keeping your blood glucose levels in a healthy range may require checking your blood glucose several times a day. The articles in this section discuss the ins and outs of blood glucose monitoring. Learn how often to check, how to do it properly, and how to interpret the numbers. Our authors also give tips for reducing the pain of finger sticks, getting accurate results from your meter, and keeping logs and records of your readings.

Blood Glucose Monitoring by Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, A.P.R.N., M.A., B.C.-A.D.M., C.D.E.

“I must admit that I stopped checking my blood sugar,” Dave said. “I used to stick myself and write the numbers in a book, but I had no idea what they meant. I’d eat the same thing and get different numbers. Finally, I just gave up.” Sound familiar...

Also inside: Blood Glucose Meter Averages: Don’t Be Fooled

Continuous Glucose Monitoring by Linda Mackowiak, M.S., R.N., C.D.E.

Even with regular blood glucose monitoring, one of the big unknowns in diabetes self-management is what happens to glucose levels between blood glucose checks. In recent years, however, the development of continuous glucose monitors that check glucose...

Also inside: Devices on the Market

H-B-A-1-C by Mark Nakamoto

You’ve pulled out your logbook and are taking off your jacket to bare your upper arm for the blood pressure cuff, when the nurse walks in and asks you to hold out a finger. “Does it matter that I had breakfast this morning?” you ask, trying to remember...

Talking Meters by Ann S. Williams, Ph.D., R.N., C.D.E.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose is one of the areas of diabetes self-management that is deeply affected by severe visual impairment. When people with diabetes learn they have permanent visual impairment, one of the first questions they often ask a...

Also inside: Insurance Coverage for Talking Meters, Resources, Strips: Which End is Which?

The Benefits of Tight Control by Wayne Clark

It has been 14 years since the results of the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) were published. Despite its continuing legacy of proof that maintaining blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible reduces the risk of...

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