To gain knowledge of your body's glucose levels there are 2 main methods, testing for urine glucose and testing for blood glucose. Which method you use depends a lot on why you are testing and what your doctor has recommended you use.
Blood glucose meters
Testing blood glucose levels has become very simple and very accessible thanks to a whole range of blood glucose meters on the market. Checking glucose in this way is the most accurate method. This is especially important for patients with Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin dependent) and some patients with Type 2 Diabetes requiring insulin. This is because some of these patients can make adjustments to their insulin dose depending on their blood glucose test results. Also patients with diabetes may experience very low blood glucose levels called hypoglycaemia or very high blood glucose levels called hyperglycaemia. Often there are signs and symptoms of both. Using a blood glucose meter to provide an exact reading can help reassure or confirm that action must be taken.
How to use a blood glucose monitor
The 2 main meters on the market at present are Accu-chek Aviva and One Touch Ultra. Both meters use the same basic principle. A blood sample is taken usually from the finger using a finger pricking device. The sample is placed on a specially coated test strip which is then inserted into the blood glucose meter. Within a minute the meter will give you a result. The main drawback of this method is that it does require pricking your finger each time to take a blood sample. This, for some, can be a nuisance. However, with recent advances in meter technology the amount of blood required for Accu-chek Aviva and One Touch Ultra is minimal. This in turn means less pain when pricking the finger.
Urine testing
Urine glucose testing has the advantage of being painless but the downside of not being as accurate as blood glucose testing.
For some, urine testing is a more than adequate method to test glucose especially for diabetics who do not need exact blood glucose levels. Glucose only appears in the urine (for most people) when glucose levels in the blood reach above 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dl). At this point the kidney can no longer reabsorb all the glucose being filtered and glucose appears in the urine. If your blood glucose levels are below 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) then urine test strips will not provide a result. Thus always use a blood glucose meter when testing for low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) as it will give you an exact reading regardless of what your blood glucose is.
How to use urine testing strips
The main 2 makes of urine glucose test strips are Clinistix and Diastix. Visit to learn more about how to use the urine test strips.
Interpreting your results
How you interpret your results very much depends on the goals your doctor has set out for you and what you are testing for. A key point to remember is that blood glucose levels will be affected by food and diabetic medication.
The first thing to consider when looking after a bonsai tree is watering. Watering is the most important aspect of bonsai tree care. This is especially true if the bonsai tree is kept indoors for prolonged periods. How much water you need to give will depend primarily on two things: the type of soil and the species of bonsai. Different types of soils absorb and retain water at differing rates. You will also find that different bonsai tree species need differing amounts of water to thrive.
The Japanese have a saying: water three times, each one for the pot, the soil and the tree. About 75% percent of water is taken in through the root system, but don't forget the leaves. Bonsai trees also acquire water through their stomata so make sure you wipe or wash away the dust and dirt regularly.
You should only use gentle water pressure when watering bonsai. Using excessive water pressure can wash away the topsoil and expose the tree roots. It is recommended that you use a misting hose or spray bottle that expels water in a fine mist. It is quite OK to use water from the tap, just ensure that it's not too hot or too cold.
The type of soil is also important to your bonsai tree. You'll need to match the soil type to the specific species. In simple terms, a needled evergreen bonsai tree will require a soil composition of 30 per cent humus to 70 per cent grit and the opposite for deciduous bonsai, i.e. 70 per cent humus to 30 per cent grit. If you have a particularly rare type of bonsai that you're not too sure about you should ask your local bonsai supplier for advice or get a good bonsai reference book and be prepared to make up a custom soil yourself.
Another important aspect of caring for bonsai trees is pruning. Leaves, branches and roots need to be pruned. This is probably the aspect of bonsai care that beginners have most trouble with and it is certainly true that skill in this area only comes with experience and knowledge.
First, consider the style you've chosen for a particular bonsai. Draw an imaginary line over your bonsai and cut the branches that protrude, obstruct or deviate from that line. Second, prune to redirect growth to one area. If you prune the left side heavily, you will redirect growth to the right side.
Prune leaves or buds with care. Pruning buds will encourage back-budding and cutting leaves will 'discipline' the growth of the bonsai. It is also necessary to manage the nutrients that the roots draw up from the soil. Remember that you are trying to grow a tiny tree and letting it grow on its own will result in uncontrolled size.
Caring for bonsai takes lots of patience, knowledge and learned skills. It involves continuous work, but the results are more than worth the effort.
Both John Ngijseh & Alan Allport are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Ngijseh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes Treatment, Diabetes and Diabetes Treatment. Glucosemeters4u.comIf you would like more information on diabetes from management to treatment click on the following link