Doctor shows how to monitor blood sugar at home.

Monitoring blood glucose at home is an important step that helps patients detect abnormalities early and make timely adjustments to their diet, lifestyle, and medication.

Especially for older adults or people with diabetes, proper self-monitoring of blood glucose levels can reduce the risk of dangerous complications.

Why is it necessary to monitor blood glucose at home?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular blood sugar checks help people with diabetes understand their body's response to food, exercise, and medication.

Dr. Robert Gabbay, Chief Scientific Officer of the American Diabetes Association, said that home monitoring helps detect hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia early, allowing for timely adjustments to treatment.

Monitoring blood glucose at home is an important step in helping patients detect abnormalities early and make timely adjustments.

Illustration: PH created from Gemini

When is the best time to measure blood glucose?

Depending on the individual case, patients may be advised to measure their blood glucose at the following times:

• Before meals
• 1-2 hours after meals
• Before going to bed
• When there are unusual symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue.

According to the US CDC, measuring blood glucose at the right time helps to accurately assess how well blood glucose is controlled throughout the day.

How to measure blood glucose at home

For accurate results, patients need to:

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before taking a measurement.
• Use the blood lancet and test strip as directed.
• Take a blood sample from the fingertip, avoiding squeezing too hard.
• Record the results after each measurement.

Additionally, it is necessary to check the expiration date of the test strips and store the meter properly.

What blood sugar levels are considered safe?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (USA), the target blood glucose level is typically around 80-130 mg/dL when fasting and below 180 mg/dL after meals, varying from person to person.

Common mistakes

Many people only measure their blood glucose when they feel tired or skip recording the results altogether. In some cases, incorrect technique or failure to wash hands before measuring leads to inaccurate results.

Dr. Rita Rastogi Kalyani, an endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins University (USA), warns patients against adjusting their medication on their own based on a few isolated indicators.

When should I inform my doctor?

People with diabetes should contact their doctor if:

• Blood sugar levels that are consistently high or abnormally low.
• Symptoms include dizziness, sweating, and confusion.
• The measurement results are fluctuating erratically for no apparent reason.

Monitoring blood glucose at home is not just a habit, but also a tool that helps patients proactively control their health. Doing it correctly and regularly will contribute to reducing complications and improving quality of life.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-chi-cach-theo-doi-duong-huyet-tai-nha-18526042212065849.htm