Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes is divided into 3 categories:
Gestational Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes
High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including:
- Blurry vision
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Hunger
- Weight loss
However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time. The condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
The immediate goals are to treat high blood glucose levels. Because type 1 diabetes can start suddenly and have severe symptoms, people who are newly diagnosed may need to go to the hospital.
The long-term goals of treatment are to:
- Prolong life
- Reduce symptoms
- Prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs
These goals are accomplished through:
- Careful self testing of blood glucose levels
- Education
- Exercise
- Foot care
- Meal planning and weight control
- Medication or insulin use
There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms.
A urine analysis may be used to look for glucose and ketones from the breakdown of fat. However, a urine test alone does not diagnose diabetes.
The following blood glucose tests are used to diagnose diabetes:
- Fasting blood glucose level
- Oral glucose tolerance test
- Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level