MODEL RELEASED. Diabetic patient. Hospital assistant talking to a diabetic patient. She is learning how to use a blood glucose meter. The meter in the patient's hand is used to test the sugar levels (glucose) in the patient's blood. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which unused sugars (such as glucose) accumulate in the blood and urine. Monitoring of blood glucose levels allows diabetics to control the disease through diet or medication such as insulin injections. Some diabetic patients suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, which is characterised by a resistence to insulin and requires medication that increases insulin levels.