Tag: health

diabetes

What You Need to Know About Diabetes Test Strips

Posted on by Joey Harding
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Learning all the information on managing your wellness can be challenging and time-demanding. In this article, the focus is on diabetes test strips. Without the right preparations and guidelines, even using test strips can end up being stressful. Apart from knowing how much are diabetic test strips worth, here are some details that you need to recognize.

Purpose

Blood sugar test strips and meters allow people with diabetes to keep track of their blood glucose concentration levels. These medical devices enable patients to do self-test without visiting a medical center. From 1965-1980 glucose test strips were only used in doctors’ offices. Since the 80s, the public can access the devices for home tests. Currently, there is a rise in the number of patients utilizing CGMs (continuous glucose monitors). Nonetheless, you should take note that many still depend on conventional finger-stick sugar meters and test strips.

Testing Process

To collect blood glucose readings, users insert the strip into the measuring device. Once everything is in position, users proceed to add their blood samples. When pricking your finger or skin, use the provided needle, also known as a lancet. Most devices generate results in seconds. The tech in the meters helps store date which users and their doctors can review later. These testing devices are a must-have for every person with diabetes to help manage the illness.

Accuracy

diabetes test

Before testing, ensure that you maintain high standards of cleanliness. Small contamination can corrupt the results and give an inaccurate reading. For best readings, ensure that you draw the blood from the tip of your finger. Avoid squeezing the blood out to minimize the chances of contamination. Health professionals suggest wiping off the first drop of blood using the next. To create a smooth flow of blood, use warm water when washing your hands. Since the data helps track the progress of treatment, ensure that you are getting an accurate reading. Feel free to conduct a second test for validity.

Buying Test Strips

Get your blood sugar meters and test strips from a reputable seller. Check the expiration date and certification from your local governing board. Always keep the items in their original package and only use them when required. Factors such as storage conditions are likely to affect functionality. To avoid inconveniences, don’t keeping the device in humid areas or exposing test strips.

Because its a matter of well-being, always double-check your readings. Knowing your blood glucose concentration levels is crucial in the prevention of emergencies.…

stress

How To Reduce Stress

Posted on by Joey Harding
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Stress is such a familiar term to most of us. The daily issues and pressures that hit us from every angle on a daily basis are more than enough to attract the effects of stress. This does not have to be the case especially if you have ways in which you can make things easier on your health. For instance, surrounding yourself with positive energy is one way to do it. We have all come across people whose main agenda is to lower our moods and spirits in every way. How to handle them seems to be the problem for a vast majority of us. The million dollar question on most of our minds is, ‘what are the most effective ways on how to reduce stress ?’

 

hang outGo out with Friends

Rather than keep things to yourself, try breaking out of the tiny box of stress in which you seem to be locked for the better part of the day. This is an effective way of letting out that steam that has been building up for so long. Having good friends is such a blessing and must be acknowledged as such. Make the most out of them and spend as much time with them as you can. Drop the kids off at your mum’s place for the weekend and give yourself some time off. Going out with friends has got to be one of the most effective and fun ways of dealing with stress.

 

Sometime Alone

You can choose to either go it alone or be in the company of that special someone. Whatever you do, don’t pile more stress on top of what you have got going on. Let yourself go and do as much as you can to ease the burden from your shoulders. Go out for lunch with your significant other or catch a movie that will help get your mind off some of the most stressful situations that you are going through at the moment. If you wish to be alone, spoil yourself as you have never done in a long time. Give yourself a facial if you are a lady. If you are a man, well, play some video games or maybe catch up on some sleep.

 

Eat up

Some of us see food as a way of relieving stress. This is not abnormal but very normal. We all have foods that somehow seem to change our moods for the best. For instance, ice cream or chocolates always do the trick for most of us. Don’t limit yourself for reasons of watching your weight or others. Instead, this is the one time that will help you change your situation for the best. By the time you are through with this therapy, you can be assured of your stress levels coming down significantly. However, this doesn’t mean that you should overdo it. Instead, proceed with caution. At the end of your day, your health should improve rather than the opposite.

 

meditateMeditate

This requires you to be in a whole different environment from the one you usually are. This will give you the chance to meditate.…

healthy

Tips to Lose Weight Healthy

Posted on by Joey Harding
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A healthy weight loss does not happen overnight. Thus it will not involve extreme workouts or even crash diets. Doing so would probably help you lose weight quickly, but it is ultimately self-destructive. Healthy weight loss involves gradually improving your diet, streamlining your workout routine, and other small but important decisions which help you achieve your body weight goals while improving your health. Below are important tips you need to follow for healthy weight loss.

 

breakfastHave Breakfast

If you are looking to lose weight, you probably think that you need to eat less and probably avoid breakfast. However, skipping your breakfast makes your body think that you are starving. Hence your body reacts by conserving energy by increasing the production of insulin and slowing down your metabolism. The moment you eat next; your blood sugar levels rapidly increase which you make feel hungry shortly after eating. As a result, you end up eating even more than you would have done had you had breakfast. Making breakfast, your heaviest meal will keep you fuller for longer.

 

Reduce Your Calories Intake

One of the best ways to lose weight healthily is by avoiding intake of soda and other drinks sweetened using sugar. You should also be aware of drinks such as sports drinks which are said to boost your body’s overall performance, but they are high in calories. Avoiding intake of such drinks alone is enough to have a huge impact in reducing the calories you consume. Reduction in calories consumption leads to weight loss. Avoiding these drinks will lead to overall improvement in your health and also help you achieve your body weight goals.

 

Stay Hydrated

Intake of water is the best way to stay hydrated while still minimizing the number of calories you take daily. Drinking water before meals makes you eat fewer calories and also improves your digestion preventing you from bloating. Take a glass or two of water before your meal.

 

exercise Exercise Regularly

Exercise can help you lose weight healthily if done correctly. Starting with intensive workouts will do you more harm as compared to starting with fewer workouts then scaling up with time. If you increase your workout intensity gradually and maintain your diet and calories intake, you will lose weight. You do not have to go to the gym. You can start with simple workouts such as walking, jogging, sit-ups to get your body ready for heavy workout routines.

Consistency is also very crucial. A set of sit-ups or squats one day will not yield much. You need to get into a regular exercise routine. One of the best ways to stay consistent is by choosing a fitness program and sticking to it. You can get an App or even chose programs such as a 30-days Abs challenge, 15-days squats challenge, etc. from the internet.

Losing weight and improving your health should go hand in hand. It might take you a week or two before you notice any changes, but the best thing is with these tips you are likely to maintain a healthy weight for longer. Incorporate these tips in your weight loss journey and reap the
benefits.…