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Monday, August 31, 2009

Diabetes Diagnosis: How is Diabetes Diagnosed?

By Barb Hicks

What is the definition of Diabetes?

Diabetes or hyperglycemia is when insulin and glucose levels in the blood are imbalanced. Insulin regulates glucose levels by converting glucose into energy which cells use as fuel. If glucose is not properly converted, damage to organs and other complications can occur.

The proper definition of diabetes is the elevated level of glucose or sugar in the blood. The body naturally regulates these levels by producing insulin which converts glucose into energy for the cells to use as fuel. If insulin cannot perform its job properly, glucose levels rise resulting in complications of this disease. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination and excessive thirst.

Here are the two forms of diabetes:

Type 1: This form of diabetes is genetic and is commonly diagnosed in children. In this case, the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin. Type 2: This form of diabetes is metabolic and is the result of the proper production of insulin, but the body is resistant to it.

Both types cause increased glucose in the blood that must be monitored daily.

A sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or having family members previously diagnosed with diabetes is at a high risk for contracting this progressive disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?

There are many different symptoms of diabetes. In addition, not everyone will display any or all of these signs. Some of the symptoms include:

- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.

The body tries to protect itself by getting rid of the excess glucose through the kidneys. This results in frequent urination which then leads to dehydration. Dehydration cause headache and excessive thirst just as it does as a result of a hangover.

Excessive weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are extreme risk factors for diabetes.

How Do I Get Diagnosed?

Knowing the symptoms is the first step, as well as learning what your risk factors are. If you suspect that you may have this condition, there are diagnostic tests that your doctor can administer to determine if you indeed have the disease. How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?

In general, a glucose level of 70 mg/dl-125 mg/dl is normal. A doctor will perform testing in order to measure your specific blood glucose levels.

What Treatments are there for Diabetes?

Treatments for diabetes include dietary changes, exercise 3 to 4 times a week, daily monitoring of glucose levels and insulin injections by syringe, pump or prefilled pens.

Treatment for diabetes is designed to regulate glucose levels while at the same time stop or slow down the diseases progression to ensure no further complications. - 17273

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