MANILA, Philippines?Because diabetes is now recognized as a global pandemic killer disease, the Canadian Diabetes Association has set guidelines on the management of diabetes whereby all people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes must self-monitor their blood glucose levels.

It was also recommended that self-monitoring using blood glucose meters for most people using medications be regularly done to control type 2 diabetes, and more so for those who are managing their type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise alone.

Many caregivers have primary responsibility for the day-to-day diabetes care of a loved one.

Fundamental tool

Self-monitoring of blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels through home testing is a fundamental tool of diabetes management that everyone with diabetes should know about.

Even if the person you care for is capable of checking their own blood sugar, it?s important to know the basics of self-testing in order to provide them with the best possible care and support.

Doctors can tell if a person is prediabetic by performing two standard tests, the results of these tests will verify whether you have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or if you are diabetes free.

Ready access

Today, many doctors, healthcare providers and diabetic educators in the country who advocate patient education recommend that every home should have ready access to a durable and reliable blood glucose meter. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is the most important activity that a potential candidate, borderline diabetic or a full-blown diabetic can do to determine his level of glycemic control.

Ascensia Elite or Entrust Glucometers (from Bayer, world leader in diabetic care research and management for over 60 years) offer a painless, systematic, convenient way of accurately checking (comparable to plasma-calibrated lab tests) one?s blood sugar level?in the comfort of one?s home or practically anywhere, anytime of the day, and determine whether blood glucose levels are in the target range.

Accurate results

Ascensia Glucometer, exclusively distributed by Fernando Medical Enterprises (414-7775), is readily available at Mercury Drugstores nationwide. Both Ascensia Elite and Entrust Glucometers have LCD windows that display information to guide users on how to get test results, retrieve memory of previous results (up to 10 tests with its meter memory); are handy, lightweight, portable and provide accurate glucose level reading results comparable to laboratory plasma method used in many diagnostic clinic?in just 30 seconds.

Each set contains a monitor, testing supplies, lancing device, record book, carrying case and have replaceable batteries, allowing the patient and his physician to make necessary adjustments in medication, diet, insulin or exercise program to keep blood glucose levels within the normal range.

Using a blood glucose meter also determine the effects of certain foods on blood glucose levels and can help a person with diabetes to choose appropriate foods more carefully. Seeing the changes in one?s blood glucose throughout the day can help a diabetic better understand the effects of lifestyle and medication on managing their blood glucose levels and be able to better manage diabetes.