Diabetic patient using a small machine called a glucose meter or blood g lucose meter patients can measure the amount of glucos e in their blood The glucose meter is used to detect both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and help diagnose d iabetes Diabetics monitor their own blood glucose leve ls The test involves placing a drop of blood onto a g lucose strip and then inserting the strip into the gluc ose meter Seconds later the machine provides a digital readout. Diabetes affects blood glucose levels. If they are too high damage can occur. Insulin regulates these levels normally. About 17 million americans have diabetes but 5 million dont know it. If blood sugar levels rise or fall to unsafe levels a diabetic can inject a dose of insulin into a large muscle. This girl is supervised by a doctor to make sure she knows how to act in case of emergency.
