Content

• Steps

If you suspect that you have diabetes, you should see a medical professional immediately. Type 1 diabetes is when the islet cells of the pancreas cannot produce insulin; This is an autoimmune disease that stops the pancreas from functioning. Type 2 diabetes is often lifestyle related (being sedentary and consuming too much sugar). You need to recognize the symptoms and signs of diabetes, as well as understand how diabetes is diagnosed to treat the disease as soon as possible.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the signs and symptoms of diabetes

1. 

   Be alert for the following signs and symptoms. If you experience more than 2 symptoms below, it is best to see your doctor for further evaluation. Common symptoms and signs of type 1 and 2 diabetes include:
   • Severe thirst
   • Intense hunger
   • Blurred vision
   • Frequent urination (waking up more than 3 times per night to urinate)
   • Fatigue (especially after eating)
   • Uncomfortable
   • The wound does not heal or heals long

2. 

   
   
   Note your lifestyle choices. People with an inactive lifestyle (with little or no exercise) have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight or obese, or who eat a lot of sweets and refined carbohydrates have a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes. tell.
   • Note that type 2 diabetes is often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, as opposed to type 1 diabetes, which is a congenital condition that has existed since childhood.

3. 

   
   
   Seek medical attention. The only way to determine whether you have diabetes correctly is to see your doctor for diagnostic tests (blood tests). Data from the blood test help classify your condition as "normal", "prediabetes" (meaning a higher risk of developing diabetes if you don't make lifestyle changes) or "diabetes".
   • It is best to determine if you have diabetes as soon as possible because early treatment is extremely important.
   • Diabetes can have long-term health effects due to "uncontrolled blood sugar". That is, if you are treated to control your blood sugar, you can avoid or at least "reverse" many of the long-lasting effects of diabetes. That is why timely diagnosis and treatment is very important.
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Part 2 of 2: Diabetes diagnostic tests

1. 

   
   
   Get a test from your doctor. Your doctor may perform 2 different tests to check blood glucose levels. Usually, a fasting blood glucose test is used to diagnose diabetes, but your doctor may also perform a urine test.
   • Normal blood glucose levels are between 70 and 100.
   • If in the "pre-diabetes" stage, the concentration of glucose in the blood is between 100 and 125.
   • A blood glucose level above 126 is considered diabetes.

2. 

   Measure the concentration of HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c). This is a new test used by doctors to diagnose diabetes. This test is based on the hemoglobin (a protein) in red blood cells and measures the amount of sugar that binds to the protein. The higher the concentration, the more sugar will stick to, is a direct indication that you are at risk for diabetes. After all, diabetes is an increase in the rate of blood sugar.
   • The normal correlation between HbA1c and the mean blood glucose concentration is explained as follows: The HbA1c index equals 6, which equates to a blood glucose concentration of 135; HbA1c is 7 = 170; HbA1c equals 8 = 205; HbA1c is 9 = 240; HbA1c is equal to 10 = 275; HbA1c equals 11 = 301; HbA1c is equal to 12 = 345.
   • In most laboratories, the normal range for the HbA1c index is 4.0 - 5.9%. In poorly controlled diabetes the range is 8.0% or higher, and in well controlled it is less than 7.0%.
   • Measuring the HbA1c index helps to give a more reasonable view of the current condition. This is a reflection of the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months, unlike a simple glucose test that measures blood glucose levels at a time.

3. 

   Diabetes treatment. To treat the disease, you need to take insulin injections or take medication every day, while controlling your diet and exercise.
   • Sometimes, in mild cases of type 2 diabetes only need a change in diet and exercise. Appropriate lifestyle changes can actually help treat diabetes and bring blood sugar levels back to "normal" levels. This is the driving force that helps you make lifestyle changes to treat diabetes.
   • Your doctor will order you to cut down on sugar and carbohydrates and exercise for 30 minutes a day. If followed correctly, you will see a significant drop in blood sugar levels.
   • Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, always requires insulin injections because it is an autoimmune disease in which the body cannot produce insulin.
   • Correct diabetes treatment is extremely important. If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to more serious health problems such as nerve damage, kidney damage or failure, blindness, and many serious circulatory problems that can lead to infection that is difficult to treat (may progress to necrosis requiring surgical removal, especially in the lower extremities).

4. 

   Regular check-ups. You will need to have a blood test again every 3 months if you are in the "prediabetic" or "diabetes" category. Regular testing helps to control if the condition improves (for people who have made positive lifestyle changes) or get worse.
   • Re-blood tests can help your doctor decide about insulin doses and oral doses. Your doctor will try to bring your blood glucose levels into a specific range, so numerical data from routine blood tests are essential.
   • Blood tests also help motivate you to exercise and change to a healthy diet, leading to tangible results the next time the blood test.
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