What is Diabetes and How is it Diagnosed?

Sep 04, 2009 @ 10:15 am by Guest Author

What exactly is Diabetes?

Hyperglycemia or Diabetes is the result of abnormally high glucose levels due to an imbalance of insulin in the blood. Insulins job is to convert glucose into energy to fuel the body’s cells. If glucose is not converted properly, complications and organ damage 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.

There are two forms of diabetes:

Type 1: This form is genetic. With this type, the pancreas does not make insulin. This form is typically diagnosed in children. Type 2: This form of diabetes is based on metabolism. In this case, the body is performing insulin production; however the body is resistant to it.

Both forms of diabetes create an elevation in glucose levels in the blood and therefore 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 symptoms?

Diabetes has many varying symptoms and not everyone will experience them. Some of the most common signs include:

- increased urination, extreme thirst, non healing wounds, fatigue, irritability and headache.

Due to the buildup of glucose in the blood, the body tries to get rid of it via the kidneys, resulting in polyuria (increased urination). Frequent trips to the bathroom cause dehydration, which explains the extreme thirst and headache. Dehydration is the same reason for the headache of a hangover.

In addition, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive weight gain are additional risk factors for the onset of diabetes.

How Do I Get Diagnosed?

The first step is knowing what the signs and symptoms are. Visiting a medical professional is the next step if you believe you are experiencing these signs. A doctor will perform specific diagnostic tests to determine your risk factors as well as determine if you in fact have the disease and which type. How do doctors diagnose it?

Tests that measure the amount of glucose levels in the blood will be performed. The generalized level is between 70 mg/dl-125 mg/dl.

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.

The goal of treatment is to control glucose levels within the normal range to prevent complications and slow the progression of the disease.

Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge about Diabetes Early Symptoms. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where you can find more of her articles about Diabetes and Hypoglycemia.