Symptoms and Diagnosis of Diabetes

 

Diabetes is one of those chronic diseases which have quickly and markedly reached the epidemic proportions affecting a huge population. It is a condition where the blood glucose level cannot be controlled in a normal fashion by the body. Knowing the signs of the disease and diagnosing it in the early stage is critical in managing the condition and preventing complications arising from it. This article provides an in-depth discussion of diabetes, the different forms, their characteristics, diagnosis, and the rationale behind early diagnosis.

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus often referred to just as diabetes is a medical condition where an individual has a persistent high blood sugar level for a specific period of time. It happens when there is insufficient insulin produced in the body or the body is incapable of using the amount of insulin it produces effectively. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas and also has the role of controlling blood sugar (glucose) levels and more importantly facilitating the entry of glucose into the cells for its utilization. Once there is a problem with the action of insulin, as in diabetes, excess glucose remains in the circulation instead of being taken by the cells hence causing hyperglycemia.

In this paper, we research the symptoms and signs of diabetes as well as their diagnosis in a greater detail with an intention of shedding more light on what this condition is, how it diagnosed through examination and most importantly, why it is important to do so as soon as possible in order to control the disease and avert the associated complications.

Types of Diabetes and Their Symptoms

1. Type 1 Diabetes: This type occurs when the immune system treats insulin-producing beta cells as enemies and destroys them. As a result, little to no insulin is produced by the affected individual. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus tends to have an acute onset and is found primarily in the pediatric and adolescent age groups.

   Symptoms:

      Compulsive drinking and usage of the W.C. (polydipsia and polyuria)

      Weight loss without even trying

      Overeating due to hunger (Poly phagia)

     

   

Type 2 Diabetes: This ailment involves a state of insulin resistance. The cells in the body cease to work normally with the insulin in the body. The first response of the pancreas is to produce more insulin, however, in the long run it can not control the levels of sugar in the blood anymore. Although Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed mostly in adult populations, cases among younger populations have been on the rise due to increasing obesity.

Symptoms

Increased thirst and frequent urination.

elenoma/urban fatigue syndrome

vision decline.

    

3. Gestational Diabetes: gestational diabetes is generally a pregnancy related condition which usually ends with delivery. It may heighten the risks of pregnancy complications for both the childbearing mother and her child, postpartum. Women who have had gestational diabetes stand a greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes as they age.

    Symptoms: Gestational diabetes does not often come with clear symptoms, which is why it is mostly picked in pregnancy screening.

Diabetes Diagnosis 

Diabetes diagnosis include various tests that assess various blood glucose levels primarily and sometimes other factors concerning insulin and glucose metabolism. Diabetes diagnostic criteria are not the same for all diabetes types and the different policy every healthcare provider chooses to follow. These are the main tests used in making diabetes diagnosis:

1. Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG): This is a test used to check blood sugar levels after abstaining from any food or drink except water for at least eight hours. An FPG level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or greater on two occasions is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus.

2.) Oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT): This test consists of testing the blood glucose level before administering and two hours after the ingestion of a solution containing glucose. Two hours after the solution is taken, if blood glucose levels are 200 mg/dL or greater, then the person is diagnosed with diabetes.

3. Hemoglobin A1C Test: The A1C test also determines the average blood sugar controlled by the body within the last 2-3 months. Two separate A1C tests that give results of 6.5% or more are diagnostic for diabetes.

4. Random Plasma Glucose Test: This one determines the glucose concentration in blood irrespective of the patient’s time of fasting. A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL and above in association with typical diabetes symptoms is diagnosed as diabetes.

Need for Early Diagnosis

Diagnosis of diabetes and its management at an early stage is very important for the following reasons:

 Avoiding Complications: Diabetes that remains untreated or poorly managed can cause various complications such as heart disease, damage to the kidneys, damage to the nerves, and eyesight problems.

 Management has Improved: Early diagnosis makes it easier to start treatment and lifestyle changes, which may help in managing blood sugar levels and complications associated with the condition.

 Better Quality Of Life: Provided that their condition is well controlled, people with diabetes can live a very fulfilling and productive life with little interruptions.

Conclusion

In summary, knowing the signs of diabetes and how to manage the disease is very important in beating the disease, which is dependent on the intervention being managed. This includes identifying the more overt signs of Type 1 diabetes in children and even the more covert signs of Type 2 diabetes in adults, awareness goes a long way in aiding diagnosis. Services of health care providers are important in carrying out diagnostic procedures and developing appropriate treatment basing on the results obtained. There is merit in the emphasis on early diagnosis and medical treatment as this leads to positive results and better comfort to the diabetic person.

The comprehension of the symptoms of diabetes together with its diagnostic procedure equips an individual to help himself as well as the society in containing this common chronic ailment.