What is Diabetes and How is it Diagnosed?
What Is 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 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:
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.
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.
Living a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight are risk factors for development of the disease.
How Can I Find Out If I Have Diabetes?
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?
Your doctor will order diagnostic testing that tests your blood for glucose levels. Normal blood glucose is between 70 mg/dl-125 mg/dl.
What are the means of treatment?
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. - 17274
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 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:
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.
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.
Living a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight are risk factors for development of the disease.
How Can I Find Out If I Have Diabetes?
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?
Your doctor will order diagnostic testing that tests your blood for glucose levels. Normal blood glucose is between 70 mg/dl-125 mg/dl.
What are the means of treatment?
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. - 17274
About the Author:
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 Hypoglycemia Causes.
posted by X - Men at
7:25 AM
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