Diabetes
What Supplies Do I Need To Manage My Diabetes?
Monitoring Your Glucose
The main thing you will have to do if you have diabetes is monitor your glucose levels. With the help of a glucose monitoring kit, you will be able to track the sugar levels in your blood. This will let you know if your sugar levels are getting high or low. Some of the items you will find in a glucose monitoring kit are:
- Monitor
- Testing strips
- Lancets and lancing tools
- Liquid kids
- Carrying case
- Clear cap (for testing different parts of the body)
- Record book to track your glucose levels
Insulin
Some people with diabetes have to inject themselves with insulin. The supplies needed to do this are as follows:
- Insulin
- Needles
- Disposable or reusable insulin pen
- Sharps container to dispose used needles
- 2 Glucagon shot kids
- Glucose tablets/gels
For patients who use an insulin pump, the following supplies are needed:
- Extra batteries
- Reservoirs to hold insulin
- Infusion sets
- Fast-acting insulin
- Extra batteries
- Emergency supply of insulin pens/syringes
For patients with type 1 diabetes they must also have:
- A home ketone test to test urine
Emergency Food Supply
It is a good idea to keep fast-acting sugar in a number of places in case of emergency. You should have it at school, your backpack, car, purse and any other place you frequently go to. Some items to keep in the emergency food supply stash are:
- Healthy snacks
- Low-sugar drinks (i.e.apple or orange juice)
- Glucose tablets
Emergency Supplies
- Emergency contact information ( 2-3 contacts)
- Medical alert ID saying that you have diabetes
- Emergency supplies (diabetes pills, insulin and supplies, batteries, fast-acting glucose, water, food)
It is recommended to keep these supplies in a waterproof container that is easily accessible.
Managing diabetes is not that difficult if you are prepared. By stocking all of the essential items listed above you will be well equipped to care for your diabetes and for emergencies. Use this guide as a checklist to make sure you have all of the essentials.
