Shopping Cart
Your Account
Help
Refill Rx
Your Tools |
Pharmacy > Ask a Pharmacist > >
Topic: Diabetes Answer:Many diabetes patients would describe the blood glucose monitoring experience as a pinprick or pinch with very slight pain. A lancet (special needle) is used to produce a very small amount of blood for testing the person’s blood glucose level. These lancets are usually spring loaded and/or adjustable to reduce pain. In addition, some newer models of blood glucose monitors allow testing on areas of the body other than the fingertips. There are some ways a patient can reduce the amount of pain: § Avoid testing at the pad of the fingertips, which is a more sensitive area. Instead, test on the side of the fingertips. A diabetes patient should always check with his or her doctor if there is significant pain despite trying these techniques. Significant pain may be a sign of impaired wound healing, improper testing procedure, or some other serious problem. § Many lancet devices can be adjusted to change the lancet puncture depth. The patient can adjust the setting to get the necessary amount of blood with the least pain. § Avoid testing over and over on the same fingertip. Rotate testing to allow the test sites to heal in between tests. § Alternative site testing (AST) is another option: Depending on the glucose meter used, the thigh, calf, abdomen, palm, upper arm, or forearm can be tested instead of the fingertips. AST may not be as accurate as fingertip testing, however, and is not recommended during pregnancy, when very low blood sugar is a concern, or during times of rapidly changing blood sugar. § Lancets should always be changed between tests. Reused lancets may become dull and therefore more painful to test with. § Do not test on unhealed or infected sites. Learn more about blood glucose monitoring in the Walgreens.com Health Library. View Diabetes management products available from Walgreens.com. View the Walgreens.com Ask a Pharmacist Archives for a list of all commonly asked questions. DISCLAIMER: The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1-877-250-5823. |
|
||
Home | Store Locator | Weekly Ad | Shipping | Returns | Company Info | Careers | Web Site Survey | Contact Us | Help |
||
 |
Diversity | Disability Outreach | Health Corner TV | Español | Walgreens Brand Products |
 |
Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Online Privacy & Security © Copyright 2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. |
||