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Blood glucose test. Hands of a patient using a pen-like lancing device to prick his finger. A drop of blood is then placed on the sticks (centre right), which change colour according to the concentration of blood sugar (glucose). Diabetics have to perform these tests regularly. The lancing device is designed to make drawing blood less painful. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which unused sugars accumulate in the blood and urine. It is caused because the body fails to produce the hormone insulin or fails to respond to it properly. Monitoring their blood glucose levels allows diabetics to control the disease through diet, medication and insulin injections. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/TRACY DOMINEY)