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Being diagnosed with diabetes is a life-changing occurrence. There is no cure for diabetes, but with effective management, you can ensure that you feel your best and live the longest, healthiest life possible. Learning the most you can about diabetes is an important first step in managing it. There are two types of diabetes, and, although both involve monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels, the precise management strategy for each type and each person will differ. But having an "emergency kit" filled with essential diabetic supplies is an effective management tool for all. You might wonder, "what diabetic supplies should I put in my emergency kit?" Below, you will find a list of the five most critical items. Snacks In Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, blood sugar levels are too high. Therefore, diabetics take medication, such as insulin, to lower these levels. However, taking too much medication in relation to blood glucose amounts can reduce the level too much. This may happen when a patient eats less than normal or participates in more than usual physical activity. Hypoglycemia poses a problem for people with either type of diabetes. In your emergency kit, it is critical that you have snacks containing simple carbohydrates, such as juice, honey, or small, hard candies, to give you a quick boost of sugar. Your kit should also contain snacks with complex carbohydrates to stabilize your sugar levels over a longer time. Glucagon In the case of sudden and severe hypoglycemia, a person suffering from diabetes may lose consciousness or experience a seizure. Thus, it will be necessary for someone else to help stabilize your sugar levels. Glucagon is an injectable prescription medication. Many pharmacies, especially those specializing in providing a wide-range of diabetic supplies, will have it regularly available. It is an important component of any diabetes emergency kit. Ketone Test Strips Ketones in the urine develop when the body breaks down fat for energy. This happens when glucose is not available for energy. Glucose is not available because insulin levels are off, making the body unable to convert glucose to energy. Thus, although more typical of Type 1, the presence of ketones in the urine tell the patient that their insulin levels are low and need adjustment. Moreover, ketones are toxic to the body, and high levels put you at risk of ketoacidosis. It is particularly important to test for ketones when you are ill, or when your blood glucose exceeds a certain level. Additionally, ketone test strips are often individually wrapped, so they will keep for a long time in a diabetic emergency kit. Batteries Most blood glucose meters are digital and require batteries. Careful monitoring of blood glucose is critical to good health for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. It is important to check which specific type of batteries your meter requires with your diabetic supplies provider and to keep those on hand. Be sure also to include small bandages, alcohol, hand sanitizer, and antibiotic ointment since monitoring blood glucose requires you to make tiny cuts to obtain small amounts of blood. When considering diabetic supplies, Bay Minette, AL residents visit North Baldwin Family Pharmacy. Learn more at http://www.northbaldwinfamilypharmacy.com/diabetic-supplies/.
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