tahshxKkKK6h se sPeas on health rte New eeHelps People With Diabetes Monitor Blood Glucose (NAPSA)—Last January, Kristin noticed that her son, Kenny, was lethargic and had little energy to play. This was highly unusualfor a boy who had been very active. Eventually, his lack of motor skills and fatigue were attributed to Type 1 diabetes. At 19 monthsold, Kenny began whatwill be lifetime of blood glucose testing. Kristin struggled with managing her son’s diabetes everyday. She had to test his blood glucose at least four times a day and used a “finger stick” test—a painful prick of the fingertip to obtain a blood sample for the blood glucose meter. Ten-year-old Sam, who has had Type 1 diabetes since he was eight yearsold, was an active child who enjoyed playing hockey and the saxophone. He needed to test his blood glucose frequently, averaging eight tests a day. His mother, Laura, saw that regular testing caused Sam’s fingertips to become sore and calloused, which prevented his participation in extracurricularactivities. Both Kristin and Laura heard about the FreeStyle” Blood Glucose Monitoring System, an innov- ative product that changed their sons’ lives. FreeStyle requires only a tiny blood sample, about the size of a pinhead. The meter can be used on areas of the body other than fingertips and allowsfor virtually pain free testing. Because of the highly sensitive nerve endings on the fingertips, pricking them for a blood glucose test can be quite painful. If you're a parent whohasto test your own child many times every day, it can be emotionally difficult for all involved. A new way to monitor diabetes helps parents manage their children’s diabetes without the problems associated with finger testing. FreeStyle provides the option to test on the forearm, upper arm, thigh, calf or hand. Kristin discovered that she can test Kenny while he’s asleep, without waking him. According to Kristin, “He doesn’t feel anything when we do it. He’s completely oblivious to the whole thing. Even when he’s awake he just sticks his arm out to be tested when he’s eating or watching TV.” At school, Sam had to test in the principal’s office because finger testing disrupted his classes. Now using FreeStyle, Sam tests during class without causing a problem, and he can play the saxophone without sore fingers! FreeStyle has helped parents like Kristin and Laura manage their children’s diabetes without the problems associated with finger stick testing. FreeStyle can be used by anybody to check blood glucose, not just kids. To learn more visit the Website, www.therasense.com or call (888) 522-5226. eee eee Note to Editors: Researchers continually come up with medical advances. The information in this article is more accurate than that in a similar story sent out a few weeks ago.
