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Sticking Plaster

I only put a plaster on my finger tip (more usually a strip of micropore around the tip) if I'm working in a clinical / laboratory setting or grubbing about in soil (eg collecting biological samples or planting trees), and washing my hands lots, although wearing gloves (latex for clinical / lab; leather for sampling / conservation) is more helpful and that's what I'd do anyway, even without finger prick tests. For "normal" life at home, I don't bother with a plaster or tape.
 
Interesting discussion, I usually just wipe my finger on a piece of tissue if there is excess blood. Here is a question then, why is it that sometimes when you prick your finger the blood can be thicker/thinner in consistency than previous samples?

Nigel
 
Would it be how much (water? etc. not alcohol though) you have drunk recently?
 
daisy1 said:
Would it be how much (water? etc. not alcohol though) you have drunk recently?
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No idea daisy! :?

It might well be, its just strange how sometimes you have to squeeze like mad to get a sample and other times it can spray out even though the depth of the lancer is set the same.

Nigel
 
I've noticed that too. Sometimes I find it really difficult to get any blood out. I have to squeeze for so long that my monitor switches off. So after the test in fact I often have hardly anything to wipe off or lick, whichever I end up doing!
 
When I am cold my blood flows slower, it comes spurting out when I am hot or have been moving around.
 

If your hands are cold either rub them together to get circulation going or put them in hottish water for a minute or two, just remember to dry hands thoroughly after so as not to dilute blood. As for the blood being thicker or thinner, some drugs cause this effect statins as well as aspirin/blood thinners.

I find using the ring fingers of each hand usually guarantees a good flow of blood.
 
If you are a Diabetic it is important to drink plenty of water to avoid possible dehydration, especially in hot weather. When you are a Diabetic and your Bg levels are high then this can cause the sugar in your blood to spill over into urine, the water in your system then follows it and so you lose water that way. That's why one of the most common symptoms leading up to a diagnosis of Diabetes is an excessive thirst and frequent urination.

So, If you have Diabetes and you think you are dehydrated, check your Bg levels. If it is high then drink plenty of water or rehydration fluids. Do not drink beverages such as tea and coffee as they will act like a Diuretic. While you should try to control your Bg levels it is very important to re-hydrate. Without getting rid of the dehydration you won't lower your Bg levels much.

There are many causes of dehydration, most of which are easily remedied with fluid intake. However if not treated promptly it can be fatal. Most people are advised to drink at least two litres of water a day.

Dehydration can also affect your Blood Pressure levels too which goes back to the constriction of the blood vessels as stated in a previous post, so it's not just 'sticky' blood we need to be aware of.

Ken
 
Hi

If you do like your tea and reducing it because you want to reduce dehydration then there is always redbush tea which is naturally caffeine free and on the packet says it is as good as drinking water. You still add what you would for a normal tea.

Just an idea

On the plaster said I use whatever is near by tissue, baby wipes. kitchen roll and if nothing then last resort is putting in my mouth but I don't like it. lol

becka
 
Rather than aiming for intake of 2litres per day, I prefer to ensure I produce 30ml urine per hour - approx 750ml per 24 hrs. If I assume 250ml = "a decent pee", then 3 decent pees a day means I'm drinking enough, as that accounts for other fluid loss through sweat, expired air, faeces etc. An extra check on colour of urine shows I'm not dehydrated nor have missed hyperglycaemia (should be pale straw colour; too dark means dehydrated; too pale means hyperglycaemia), but is much easier in a white porcelain toilet than when peeing behind a tree, for example, as I often do when adventure racing (races over hours, not just minutes) etc.
 
You actually measure the stuff...........yuk !

Actually, as you mention Urine Colour and dehydration here is a useful link about the subject from the Mayo Clinic.

http://www.riversideonline.com/health_r ... N00868.cfm

Seems if you are dehydrated that the Urine colour can be dark yellow or Gold or even Orange. Quite a kaleidoscope of colours, all with various meanings.

Ken
 
No, I don't measure my urine, just count number of decent pees in a day. Have measured other people's when recording fluid balance of patients in hospitals. As I explained, looking at urine colour is not always very easy nor practical.
 
copepod said:
No, I don't measure my urine, just count number of decent pees in a day. Have measured other people's when recording fluid balance of patients in hospitals. As I explained, looking at urine colour is not always very easy nor practical.
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So, basically.....you're just taking the p**s....... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
:lol: :lol: :lol: Mmmmm this is one of those threads :lol: :lol: :lol:

How did we get from sticking plasters to urine ? :lol: :lol:
 
Interesting question Sue.
I take a vit B complex so urine bright yellow and very colourful after eating beetroot 8)
CAROL
 
sugarless sue said:
:lol: :lol: :lol: Mmmmm this is one of those threads :lol: :lol: :lol:

How did we get from sticking plasters to urine ? :lol: :lol:
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Simple really......

1. Finger prick blood testing
2. Plasters
3. Blood
4. Dehydration
5. Urine

Elementary me dear........ :wink:

Ken
 
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