Diabetes: How to Diagnose

When the pancreas fail to release ample amount of Insulin and it drops in blood glucose levels, the body will compensate for it thus malfunctioning in the use of glucose. What happens is that there will be high levels blood glucose levels (also referred to as blood sugar) thus resulting to a syndrome called Diabetes mellitus (DM).

These days, nearly 20 million people are affected with the diabetes. Depending on the type of DM, treatment can either be focused on administering Insulin to make up for the low blood sugar level in the cell or maintaining the blood sugar level to prevent complications such as heart diseases, kidney disease, eye problems which can lead to blindness, infections, and amputation.

If you are suspecting that you might have the condition, then continue reading as we give you more information about the syndrome and how to diagnose diabetes.

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

Generally, there are three types of diabetes – type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

• Type 1 – is also otherwise known as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In this type, the onset usually starts during childhood and that the pancreas isn’t able to produce insulin as the cells responsible for its production are destroyed.
• Type 2 – of the two, this type is the most common form. This usually starts at any age. There is insulin resistance in this type in the first phase of the condition. Therefore, the body tries to make up for the required insulin, but eventually unable to produce the sufficient amount needed.
• Gestational Diabetes – the type happens during pregnancy. For some women, it runs its course after the baby is born, while others eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

• Polyphagia (Excessive hunger)
• Polydipsia (Excessive thirst)
• Polyuria (Increased and frequent urination)
• Tingling and numbing sensation in the extremities

Tests to Diagnose Diabetes Mellitus

When faced with the symptoms, consult your doctor in order for him to run tests so as to diagnose the problem. Generally, t he normal blood glucose level is somewhere between 70-100mg/dL. Once it becomes greater that 126 mg/dL, then that can be a consideration that you might be suffering from the condition. To give you a guide though, here are some of the ways to help you know if you got the condition.

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – blood glucose level will be measured after the individual has not eaten for atleast 8 hours and has not drunk anything after 2 hours.
• Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) – the person shouldn’t have eaten anything for atleast 8 hours and the test will be carried on to measure blood sugar level.
• Random Plasma Glucose – this is a quick diagnostic testing and blood sugar level is tested without considering fasting. Although this may not be as reliable as the other tests, once it is associated with the above symptoms of diabetes, then that could mean the person has it.

So if you believe that you might actually be suffering from the problem, then don’t hesitate to contact your medical provider to rule out any diagnosis.

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