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How to Use Glucose Wands

Content by: Sarah Bigbee, RD

Glucose Wands are a great visual for your clients. Learn more about how and why you should use this valuable visual tool for diabetes education.

How to Use Glucose Wands

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What is a Glucose Wand?
A Glucose Wand by NCES Catalog is a visual teaching tool used to demonstrate what happens to blood vessels and cells during hyperglycemic episodes versus normoglycemic episodes. The wands are designed to show clients the importance of maintaining normal blood glucose levels. In the hyperglycemic wand, the beads representing blood cells move slowly and stick to one another. In the normoglycemic wands, the beads move quickly and unimpeded. This tool will help your client visualize what is happening in the bloodstream when during hyperglycemic episodes.

How can Glucose Wands help in counseling clients?
Approximately 65% of the population is categorized as visual learners. Glucose Wands support clients with this learning style. The wands enhance your practice, especially for your clients with heart related conditions and/or poor wound healing. Visualization helps demonstrate prolonged hyperglycemic episodes and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Use the wands to discuss plaque buildup when the blood vessels are damaged, due to prolonged hyperglycemia. Wands can help clients understand poor blood glucose control and wound healing.

Glucose Wands and coaching can tap into multiple learning styles and help achieve a better understanding of what is happening in the body. Utilize this tool after basic concepts of hyperglycemia and diabetes are established.

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