How to effectively use symptom checkers, home medical tests, and health information to improve your own health

by Jennifer Kirkman As a diabetic, I know of so many ways to use symptom checkers, and home medical tests as a way to tell how my overall health is doing. With any type of home medical test, you must follow the directions exactly in order to receive an accurate reading of whatever it is you are testing for. Home blood pressure monitoring is one of the common devices used to track blood pressures. They have many types of digital machines now where you can take your own reading. To use these monitor types, you must study the directions first. Generally, you place the cuff lower on your upper arm. The machine will indicate for you to begin pumping the device which you do until the little blood pressure symbol on the screen indicates to stop. The monitor will then begin counting backwards until it gives you a readout. Some of these monitors will retain the reading, and some have a printout of the reading. Depending on how much you want to invest, the blood pressure monitor will have extra functions or just basic ones. Checking your blood pressure on a daily or weekly basis is important. Home glucose monitoring is to be at least 80-90 percent accurate. These meters have to pass regulations before going on the market since diabetics like myself depend upon them to give the nearly perfect reading. When using a home glucose monitor, MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN! Most monitors now require a small drop of blood which you apply to a test strip and the monitor generally reads in a few seconds, and some in a couple of minutes. Accu-Chek has some of the best glucose monitors out there on the market along wtih Freestyle meters. One of the easiest glucose monitors to use is Accu-Chek Aviva. It takes a small amount of blood from any area on the body, and gives a read out within 5 seconds. Most diabetics should test at least twice daily. There is also lab tests which can now be done at home for cholesterol and triglycerides. These are tests that you place a drop of blood on a specially treated paper, let dry out, and then mail in for analysis. This test is usually done fasting which makes it more accurate for a correct cholesterol reading so be sure you are fasting when you do the testing. There is also home cholesterol monitors which can be of excellent use if this is a problem for you. Again, do make sure your hands are really clean before testing on these monitors.

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Posted by Health Care , Published at 8:05 AM and have 0 comments