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If you have diabetes, you know the importance of taking accurate readings of your blood glucose level. Keeping a log of your results will help your doctor judge how well you're responding to treatment; and how your medication, diet, exercise and other factors such as illness or stress affect your blood sugar levels. It also important to know at any point in time whether your blood glucose levels are dangerously high or low.

Monitoring your blood sugar normally involves pricking your finger with a lancet, putting a small drop of blood on a test strip, inserting the strip into a meter, and taking the reading. Your doctor will tell you how often you should take a blood test, though usually it depends on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and your individual treatment plan. Typically persons with type 1 diabetes will need to test more frequently through the day.

Because taking a blood sample involves pricking the finger, and thus a certain amount of pain, many patients do not look forward to this routine. Repeated pricking on the finger can lead to soreness over time, and even difficulty in using the fingers for normal daily tasks. To reduce discomfort from frequent sampling, the American Diabetes Association offers some suggestions:

• With some meters, you can also use your forearm, thigh or fleshy part of your hand.
• If you use your fingertip, stick the side of your fingertip by your fingernail to avoid having sore spots on the frequently used part of your finger
• There are spring-loaded lancing devices that make sticking yourself less painful.

Using a lancing device is often preferrable to using a bare lancet, as it can give you more control and accuracy--and therefore less pain. Some lancing devises have raised dots on the end which comes in contact with the finger. These dots stimulate nerve endings, thereby masking the sensation of pain from the needle puncture. Many lancing devices also have different settings to control needle or lancet pressure, allowing you to adjust for skin thickness and amount of blood taken.

Advanced Diabetes Supply carries a full range of the tools you will need to monitor your blood glucose levels--from meters and testing strips to lancing devises.

Nearly 24 million men, women, and children in the United States alone have diabetes. For all those people, testing their blood with a blood glucose monitor is a routine that simply cannot be avoided. Of the 24 million people with diabetes in the United States, approximately one-third of them rely on medicating with insulin, depending on the reading they get from testing with a blood glucose monitor. Therefore, accuracy from these devices is of the utmost importance to the people whose very lives depend on them.

If a blood glucose monitor provides a false reading, it puts a patient at risk of dosing with too much or too little insulin. If too much insulin is given, it can bring blood glucose levels down to dangerously low levels, putting the patient at risk of severe hypoglycemia and possible hospitalization.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that glucose monitors have a 95 percent accuracy. But, recently researchers at the Diabetes Technology Society spoke at a meeting in Arlington, VA, where they claim that many glucose monitors on the market today are falling short of this accuracy requirement.

There is some debate over what a normal range of a blood glucose reading is. But, most experts define normal as between 80 and 120 mgdl. A false or inaccurate reading with some of these monitors has been shown to be between 15-20 mgdl at times. Therefore, this measurable difference in a person's blood glucose is dramatic enough to cause a hypoglycemic event or worse. So it stands to reason that this realization of inaccuracy among some monitors should not be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, the FDA maintains that their hands are tied to a certain extent. Katherine Serrano, diabetes branch chief in the FDA’s division of chemistry and toxicology devices, said the federal government is aware of accuracy problems with certain monitors. However, the FDA is limited in its response because some manufacturers are in Asia, and the agency must rely on the manufacturers’ own studies related to accuracy claims.

The moral of the story is this: If you are type 1 or type 2 diabetic, and test your blood with a blood glucose monitor, think carefully before purchasing. Don't necessarily buy the cheapest one out there, and perhaps it would be beneficial to do a bit of research before making a purchase.

"Advanced Diabetes Supply" provides diabetes testing supplies to people nationwide. Our highly trained staff and state of the art technology ensures fast and convenient home delivery anywhere in the country. Contact us today for all your diabetes testing supplies and more!

According to American Diabetes Association figures, more than 215,000 people under the age of 20 are coping with a diabetes diagnosis. If your child recently became one of them, you probably have lots of questions about diabetic supplies. We here at Advanced Diabetes Supply understand that need for knowledge. That’s why we’d like to take a few moments to talk about diabetes lancets.

Diabetes lancets are made with sharp, lubricated, surgical steel. They come in different gauges, which dictate the size of the puncture hole. They may be used with or without a lancing device. The lancing device is helpful to have when you are drawing blood from a child for two main reasons. First, it provides the user with an opportunity to control the depth of the puncture. Controlling the depth of the puncture is important because it has bearing on how much discomfort your child may feel during the procedure. Second, lancing devices are capable of making the puncture quickly. That’s a great benefit, especially if your child is resistant to care or prone to restlessness.

Once the process is complete, the diabetes lancet shoudl be disposed of. We recommend throwing the old lancet away after each use as. We make that recommendation for one simple reason. Each time the lancet is used, the tip loses some of its sharpness and lubrication. Thus, as time goes on, it could cause your child unnecessary discomfort and tearing of the skin.

Before you dispose of your child’s used diabetes lancets, make sure that you take a moment to familiarize yourself with your local disposal laws as they vary by state. Therefore, it’s best to ask your child’s physician to give you a information on the subject. He or she may also be able to offer additional tips on making the testing process less uncomfortable for your child.

As far as obtaining diabetes lancets and lancing devices goes, Advanced Diabetes Supply can help. We offer convenient home delivery, affordable prices, billing assistance and diabetes education. For more information, contact us today at 1-866-422-4866.

From finding out that you’re pregnant, to actually being pregnant, and then to finally give birth, there are so many different emotions that a pregnant woman goes through. Excitement, fear, exhaustion, anxiety, and stress are just a few of them. But whether it’s your first child or your tenth, nothing compares to the added stress that comes after you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

The good news is that with careful eating, consistent monitoring, and in some cases, medications, you’ll both be home from the hospital, and healthy, in no time.

One of the key components to handling gestational diabetes is your diet. You want to eat meals at evenly spaced intervals which are higher in protein, lower in starchy foods, and absent of sugary foods. This can be difficult, especially for a pregnant woman who is hungry all of her waking hours, and who constantly craves sweets, but it's important for everyone's health.

Writing out a daily meal plan in advance will help. Knowing what you’re going to eat all day long takes the focus off the food, and puts it back on planning meals. It’s also helpful to be prepared when you’re away from home. Take snacks along, and even bring a small cooler filled with your prepared foods. Take a few extra food items, in case you don’t get back home as soon as you originally planned.

Another aspect that is controllable is exercise. A daily walk is a great idea for mom and baby. Spend 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening walking around your neighborhood or on the treadmill. Make sure you use the restroom before you go, take a small snack and a bottle of water, and get moving.  Wear a watch or take your cell phone, and start heading back towards home at the 8 minute mark. This way you don’t get too far away from home before you realize it’s time to turn around.

A woman with gestational diabetes also needs to stay in constant contact with her healthcare provider. This is important so she can monitor the health of mom and the baby because gestational diabetes can lead to negative consequences for both if left unchecked and untreated.

The good news about gestational diabetes is that, for most women, it goes away after the pregnancy is over. The bad news is that a woman previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes will likely be diagnosed with it again in subsequent pregnancies. Plus, some women will be diagnosed with diabetes Type 1 or Types 2 later in life.

By paying close attention to what you put in your mouth, exercising daily, and staying in contact with your doctor, you should be able to have a happy, healthy pregnancy and baby, in spite of the gestational diabetes diagnosis. Be sure to contact us for your gestational diabetes supply needs.

It's crucial for people with diabetes to possess accurate information about their blood sugar levels.  The typical method for regularly measuring blood glucose levels involves a glucose meter and test strips.  The individual testing their glucose will place a drop of blood on the test strip; this is a strip made of special paper and plastic infused with chemicals that react to the glucose in the blood sample.  The meter then reads the test strip and gives a measurement of blood glucose levels.

If there's something wrong with the meter or test strips, the diabetic individual will receive inaccurate blood glucose readings.  A control solution is necessary to gauge the accuracy of the test strip and meter.

The diabetic control solution is a chemical solution resembling sugar water.  Because the solution contains glucose, when it's placed on a test strip, the strip will react to it and the meter will take a reading.

The way to use control solution is similar to how people use their blood drops with the test strip and meter.  In general, you put the strip in the meter, place a drop of control solution on your finger, and then apply the solution to the strip with your finger, as you would apply a drop of blood.

After you take this step, you need to see what reading the meter gives you.  If the test strip and meter are functioning properly, the reading should fall within a certain range that's usually specified as 'normal' for a particular brand of meter.  A reading outside of the normal range is a sign that the meter or its test strips are faulty and that further investigation is now required to determine the source of the problem.

Each control solution is made for a certain brand of glucose meter; it's important not to create a mismatch between products and use the wrong kind of control solution for your accuracy test.  Furthermore, once a bottle of control solution is opened, it generally lasts in good quality for a few months; beyond that, it will be necessary to obtain a fresher control solution.

When do people use a control solution? Whenever an individual first uses a meter, it's important to do a test with control solution to ensure that the meter and its test strips are working properly.  Periodic accuracy tests can be conducted after that point as well, particularly if the meter starts giving suspicious readings or if the individual suspects that the meter or strips sustained damaged or deterioration of some kind.

Contact us if you have further questions about control solutions or other products for people with diabetes.  We will address your concerns and direct you to the best quality products.

Although you’d like to forget about your diabetes while you’re on vacation, you actually need to spend a little bit of extra time making sure that you stay healthy while you’re traveling.

Visit Your Doctor in Advance of Your Trip

Keep your doctor in the loop. Advise him of your upcoming vacation and discuss any adjustments which may need to be due to time changes and your anticipated activity level. You may want to get a physical so you’re aware of your exact medical needs before you travel. Also, remember to ask for an extra prescription for your diabetes medication in case of an emergency.

Keep a Checklist

It’s easy to forget a critical item when you’re packing for travel. To make it easy on yourself, keep a checklist of your diabetes supplies and medications. Whether you write it down on a piece of paper or store it on your computer or smartphone, make sure you run through the checklist before you leave your home in order to ensure that you’ve packed everything you need to manage your disease.

Pack Extra Supplies and Medication

Although medical emergencies can occur when your home, they can be harder to deal with when you’re on vacation. Your surroundings are not familiar and your regular endocrinologist is not nearby, so any disruption in your normal routine can quickly turn scary.

Be sure to pack twice as many diabetes supplies as you think you’ll need. This allows you to be prepared in case you extend your vacation, have trouble getting back home, or you have to test more often than normal.

If you’re traveling by plane, pack your supplies in your carry-on bag. If you’re not traveling by plane, make sure your supplies are within arm’s reach.

Wear Your Medical ID Bracelet

It seems like common sense, but always wear your medical ID bracelet when you’re on vacation. It’s important that, in the event of a medical emergency, any first responders are aware of your medical status when they begin treating you.

Always Carry Snacks

It’s harder to keep track of an eating schedule when you’re on vacation, so keep a supply of snacks and drinks nearby at all times. Use a zipper lock bag to store small pieces of fruit, hard candy, peanut butter and crackers, and a juice drink. It’s better to be prepared and not need any of the snacks than to not have them, but need them.

It only takes a few moments of additional preparation, but those few moments allow you to really enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Please be sure to contact us if you have any questions about traveling with diabetes.

With summer fast approaching, a person’s thoughts understandably start wandering towards pleasurable activities. After all, there are barbecues to plan and leisurely walks on the beach to enjoy. All of those activities are fine to focus on, just as long as you don’t neglect your type 1 diabetes testing routine. Here’s why:

As mentioned previously, the arrival of summer often brings with it a change in the way that we eat. People are more apt to enjoy outdoor events replete with tempting foods and beverages. This can pose a problem for type 1 diabetics that are not aware of their blood glucose levels. That’s because many of the traditional items found at such events can negatively impact those levels. Examples include deep fried funnel cake, fatty meats, sugar laden drinks and salad dressings high in saturated fats.

Consuming celebratory, seasonal foods and beverages is not the only activity that type 1 diabetics have to worry about. The intense summer heat can cause a myriad of health problems too. This is especially the case for those afflicted with diabetic neuropathy. It is typically managed, in part, with routine diabetes testing. Depending on the form, the condition may lead to dehydration and numbness of the extremities. They, in turn, could increase a diabetic’s risk of experiencing heat exhaustion, heat stroke and acute sunburns.

At this point, you may be wondering how to keep your type 1 diabetes testing routine on track. Well, contacting Advanced Diabetes Supply is a great way to start. As an accredited pharmacy with years of experience, we can provide you with an array of services. Among them is a diabetes supplies home delivery program that will help you to ensure that your type 1 diabetes testing supplies are always on hand. We also provide educational resources and assistance with insurance billing matters. To find out more about how Advanced Diabetes Supply can help you manage your summer testing routine, contact us online or call toll free 1-866-422-4866.

Cats are one of the most popular pets in American homes these days.  They're very loving pets and capable of providing you years of companionship.  Just like any other animal or pet for that matter, cats sometimes get sick.  There are several different types of ailments that cats get and one of those is diabetes.  Yes, cats can also have diabetes. Also known as "Feline diabetes", but Diabetes nonetheless is a serious disease in cats just as it is in humans, although it can be treated by a veterinarian.

Diabetes is more commonly found in humans than with cats or other animals because humans consume large amounts of sugar (glucose) unlike their feline counterparts.  The level of blood glucose in the animal is kept under control by insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. When the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, diabetes is to culprit.

Signs of Feline Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes in your feline friend may vary.  

• The most common symptoms include an increase in urination and an increased thirst. 
• Loss of appetite
• weight loss
• a coat that is lacking it's normal luster often found on healthy cats.

An increase in thirst is easy to detect, as you can easily notice the water dish empty throughout the day.

If you don’t get your cat treated for diabetes immediately, the cat will eventually become inactive, vomit on a regular basis, and eventually go into a coma.  But if you get the diabetes treated in time, the cat will more than likely lead a normal and healthy life as playful as always.  Keep in mind that treatment isn't an overnight event, it takes dedication and devoting time to ensure your

If your cat has feline diabetes, you''ll need to feed them at the same time each day. You should also prevent your cat from going outside as well so that you can closely monitor what they are consuming.  After taking your feline to the veterinarian, if determined that the cat does in fact have diabetes, your veterinarian may prescribe insulin which you’ll need to give to your cat once or twice or a day.  Your veterinarian will tell you how many shots and how many units of insulin you'll need to give your cat every day. Always follow the recommendations provided by your veterinarian. 

Before giving your cat an insulin shot, always make sure that they've eaten some food first.  Just like humans, if you give your cat insulin without any food already in their system, they may go into a "Hypoglycemic Shock" which occurs when there is too much insulin in the cat's system.  A hypoglycemic shock is very dangerous as it can become fatal and should be avoided at all costs.

If you have to give insulin shots to your cat because of diabetes make sure to keep an eye on them after you've administered the shot to ensure they are ok.  After your cat's been on insulin for a period of time, your veterinarian may reduce the amount of insulin you'll need to inject.  Even though your cat may need to be on insulin the rest of their life, they'll lead an otherwise normal healthy life as a feline.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy that we need to live our daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a puzzle, although researchers know that both genetics and factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play vital roles.

Studies Show Coffee Reduces Risk of Diabetes

Research suggests that people who drink coffee are less likely to get type 2 diabetes. It isn't known whether the caffeine or some other ingredient in coffee is responsible for its protective effects.

The researchers wanted to see whether there's a link between drinking coffee; green tea, black tea, oolong tea and diabetes. Participants in the study completed a questionnaire about their health, lifestyle habits, and the amount of tea and coffee they consumed. The questionnaire was replicated at the end of a 5-year follow-up time period.

Other factors were accounted for and researchers found that the more green tea and coffee participants in the study consumed, the less likely they were to get diabetes.

Participants who drank at least six cups or more of green tea or three or more cups of coffee each day were about one-third less likely to get diabetes. The link between the two was stronger in women than in men. No noticable pattern was seen with oolong or black tea.

http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20120113/why-coffee-may-reduce-diabetes-risk