Sunday, August 30, 2009

What is Diabetes and How is it Diagnosed?

By Barb Hicks

What is the definition of Diabetes?

When there is an imbalance of insulin and glucose in the blood that causes glucose levels to be abnormally high, this is a condition called diabetes, or hyperglycemia. Insulin serves to regulate glucose levels to stay within normal values. In the absence of adequate insulin, glucose isn't changed into energy for the cells to use as fuel, leading to organ damage and complications.

Diabetes is defined as having an elevated blood glucose (sugar) level. It is caused by an imbalance of insulin and glucose. We need Insulin to regulate our glucose levels. When there is an insufficient amount of insulin in the blood, the glucose levels rise, which could lead to other complications of the disease process. Insulin regulates glucose levels by converting glucose into energy for use by the cells for fuel. When insulin can't do its job, glucose builds up in the blood and causes symptoms of thirst and increased urination.

The two forms of diabetes are:

Type 1: Is genetic, the pancreas does not make insulin. It is usually diagnosed in young children Type 2: Is metabolic, in that insulin is being produced 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?

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

- Headache, irritability, extreme thirst, frequent urination 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?

The first step to knowing your risks is knowing the signs. From there, a visit with a medical professional will determine if you indeed have the disease. By performing specific tests, a doctor can diagnose your risk factors, whether you have it and what type you have. How is diabetes diagnosed by a doctor?

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?

Common treatments for diabetes include daily monitoring of glucose levels, dietary changes, exercise three to four times a week and insulin injections either 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.

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