Finger pricking is uncomfortable and painful for many
Diabetes is a chronic condition that happens when your blood sugar levels are too high. It develops when your pancreas either does not make any insulin or is not able to use it properly. This leads to a higher-than-normal blood sugar level. While diabetes affects more than 500 million people across the world, they need to test their blood sugar levels several times a day.
Mostly, you check your insulin levels by pricking your finger with a lancet. Not only is this uncomfortable and painful for many, but it also results in less frequent testing and consequently worse control of blood sugar levels.
However, advances in blood sugar monitoring technology mean no more finger pricks in the future. So, if you have diabetes, there are many portable devices you can use—and not all of them require a finger prick.
Blood glucose meter
This is among the most popular devices, which needs a finger prick. While a blood glucose meter is widely available and an affordable option, to use it, you will insert a test strip into the meter. Thereafter, you need to prick your finger to retrieve a sample of blood and then place the sample on the edge of the test strip to check your blood sugar.
However, according to doctors, glucometers are convenient because they are portable and can be carried anywhere. Also, they give accurate and instant results as well.
Continuous glucose monitor
A continuous glucose monitor or CGM, provides real-time glucose readings every few minutes involving the insertion of a tiny sensor underneath your skin—usually in the tummy area. According to experts, this sensor measures your interstitial glucose level and sends the information to the app on your phone, from where you can check the readings. It also sounds an alarm if your blood sugar levels become too high or too low.
While the CGM places a sensor under your skin, most still require a finger prick at least once a day to calibrate the device.
Freestyle Libre
This method of checking your insulin does not require even one finger prick. According to experts, you will have a tiny sensor inserted underneath your skin with the Freestyle Libre, which does not give continuous readings.
However, rather than pricking your finger, with the help of a meter, it reads a scan through the sensor when you want to check your blood sugar levels.
Urine test
Another non-invasive method to check your blood sugar levels, a urine test, involves inserting a test strip into your urine. However, doctors say this method only detects sugar in your urine but is unable to provide an exact blood sugar reading.
How can you test your blood sugar levels in a less painful way?
While pricking your fingertips is the easiest and most convenient way to check blood sugar levels, it is done because the area has more nerve endings and is highly sensitive. If you use a finger prick to check your blood sugar level, a few techniques can make the process less painful, which include:
Prick the side of your fingertip rather than the middle area, as it is less sensitive.
Before using the device, always read the instructions, and depending on that, you must prick your palm, arm, or thigh and get an accurate reading.
Never use an alcohol wipe to clean your hands before pricking, as it can increase skin sensitivity. Always wash your hands with soap and water
Warm your hands by rubbing them together a little bit before pricking, as cold increases sensitivity.
Make sure to use different fingers every time you want to measure blood sugar levels.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
