Diabetes Health Supplies You Shouldn’t Leave Home Without

Find out which are the best diabetes health supplies you shouldn’t leave home without.

Being responsible for managing your diabetes takes some planning. Knowing when to test your blood sugar levels and how to respond to sugar level peaks and valleys is all a part of keeping your diabetes under control. It is also important to have diabetes health supplies on hand, especially when you leave your house or are traveling so you can monitor and manage your diabetes. There are a variety of supplies for diabetics and it is up to you to determine which ones are best for you. Below is a review of some of the best diabetic health supplies to consider using:

1. The Carry Pouch

You will need some type of medical supply pouch or case to carry your diabetes health supplies in. Choose one that is waterproof and resilient. When you travel you can use an organizer case with separate compartments for all your diabetes health supplies. You can also buy a cooling bag or case to store your insulin at the ideal temperature. One such organizer bag is the FDA approved Apollo Walker insulin cooler travel organizer. This is just one of many types of bags on the market for you to choose from that will help keep medication at the right temperature.

2. Glucose Monitoring

Supplies for diabetics also include blood glucose monitoring systems. The FDA has recently approved the first glucose continuous monitoring system that does not require a blood sample. This is a tremendous breakthrough for diabetics who have to prick their fingers everyday to retrieve blood for testing. The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System is among the best diabetic health supplies designed for adult use; the device is manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.

For those of you who are still using a glucose meter that requires a blood sample, the FDA has provided guidelines for selecting your device. Some of those guidelines are:

Ease of use
Accuracy
How much blood is needed for each test
Cost
Ability to transmit data to a computer
Manufacturer’s technical support
Ability to store test results in memory

3. Glucagon

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can result in symptoms of dizziness, poor judgment, weakness and loss of consciousness. Glucagon is a hormone produced naturally by the pancreas that increases blood glucose levels in the bloodstream. When a diabetic experiences hypoglycemia they can take glucagon to balance their blood glucose levels. Glucagon is used intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscularly to convert liver glycogen into glucose.

Glucagon can also be administered thorough the nasal passages. One of the best diabetic health supplies products is Ely Lilly and Co.’s nasal spray device that delivers powdered glucagon through the nasal passages into the bloodstream. The nasal device is a quick, one-step application, as opposed to the other methods. The great thing about this device is that if a diabetic loses consciousness they can still receive the glucagon. The device pushes the glucagon into the nasal passages without the need for sniffing or inhaling.

Other options for instances of low blood sugar include keeping glucose tablets on hand at all times. These can be easily purchased at your local drug store or supermarket and help raise low blood sugar fast and helps boost energy.

4. Insulin

Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use blood glucose for energy. Insulin is used by patients who have Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and whose pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is also used when medications are not properly managing blood glucose levels. Unopened insulin should be kept refrigerated at a cool 36 to 46 degrees F. Once an insulin pack is opened it can become unstable within two weeks. Insulin that has been exposed to extreme temperatures will become unstable, and frozen insulin should never be used. One of the best diabetic health supplies is being developed by researchers at Thermalin, who are working on ultra-heat-stable, rapid-and-long-acting insulin. Thermalin’s insulin will be able to withstand environments of up to 115 degrees F for one year.

5. Snacks

Whether you are traveling, stuck in traffic, or your schedule gets thrown off course, long gaps without food can wreak havoc on a diabetic. Be sure to always carry quick snacks such as nuts, granola, cheese and crackers, or peanut butter and crackers to give you the boost you need.

As a diabetic, it is important for you to have your diabetes health supplies organized, easy to use, and readily available to you. Researchers and medical device companies are busy developing new diabetes health supplies products that promise to make your life as a diabetic a little easier to navigate.