The only way to know if a diabetic is meeting his blood glucose goals is if he routinely checks his blood sugar. How often he should test is a subject of discussion for him and his primary diabetes healthcare provider. But the truth is, the more frequently he does it, the more information he'll have to help him keep his diabetes under control.
Regular blood glucose testing gives him immediate insight into the way his body responds to food, activity, and medications. It also helps him uncover any patterns that may need addressing in his diabetes treatment plan.
That said, it's not uncommon for the newly diagnosed (or even those who've long had the disease) to find testing an inconvenient chore, or even painful. And some people with type 2 diabetes resist testing due to denial or anger about the disease.
Potential solutions:
- Hit the books. Help him see the value in regular testing by reviewing his testing logbook or journal with him, and point out patterns that may affect his treatment plan.
- Do it yourself. Offer to do the testing for him -- or find another caregiver who can -- if he has vision or dexterity issues that make testing a trial.
- Get the right gear. Talk with his doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist about finding the right testing equipment for his particular needs. Consider more ideas for assisting a patient with blood sugar testing.
