Diabetes can wreak havoc on your eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart – not to mention increasing your risk for high blood pressure, fatty liver disease and vascular conditions.
People exhibiting symptoms of hyperglycemia such as frequent urination, extreme thirst or weight loss should undergo diagnostic testing for diabetes; this does not constitute screening.
Symptoms
Over 37 million Americans live with diabetes, and many don’t even know they have it. Being aware of what takes place during an initial check-up to detect diabetes will help demystify the process and encourage more individuals to undergo screenings.
A typical test will begin by reviewing your medical history and performing a physical exam. Your healthcare provider will ask about symptoms commonly associated with diabetes, such as increased thirst and frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. A fasting blood glucose test or A1C (which measures blood sugar over time) test may also be conducted.
Untreated diabetes can result in numerous health complications, from damage to your blood vessels and nerves that provide support for tissues and organs to blindness caused by eye problems related to retinopathy (retinopathy), as well as kidney disease which requires dialysis or transplant.
Diagnosis
If you have diabetes or are at risk for it, healthcare providers will closely monitor your blood sugar and other crucial indicators at every check-up visit. They may also offer support in terms of encouraging healthy lifestyle changes as well as prescribing specific diet, exercise, and medication regimens to lower risk factors associated with it.
Random blood glucose tests taken without fasting measure the amount of sugar in your blood and are an important diagnostic tool; results of 200 mg/dL or higher indicate diabetes. Another important tool is hemoglobin A1C tests which provide an overall picture of how well you manage your blood sugar over time; an A1C level between 5.7% to 6.4% suggests prediabetes while readings of 6.5% on two separate occasions indicate full-blown diabetes.
Untreated or improperly managed diabetes can have catastrophic results on your cardiovascular system, blood vessels, eyes and nerves – not to mention infections – as well as lead to serious infections. Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes can be life altering; but regular medical checks-ups will enable it to be successfully treated and managed for a good quality of life.
Treatment
Treatment for diabetes aims to avoid or delay complications caused by it, including damage to blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes and the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, treating it helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and weight. Depending on its cause oral medications or insulin may be prescribed.
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) tests can provide an accurate measure of your average blood sugar levels over the last two or three months. This test measures how much sugar has attached itself to hemoglobin (which transports oxygen through red blood cells). A healthy result would fall below 5.7% while levels 6.5% or above indicate diabetes.
Regular medical check-ups provide an opportunity to screen for diabetes and other health conditions, providing individuals with an invaluable chance to reduce the likelihood of future diagnosis or successfully manage it once diagnosed, contributing to a healthier future. By prioritizing these appointments, individuals can make significant strides toward either preventing diabetes altogether or managing it effectively if diagnosed, contributing towards a brighter future.
Prevention
Preventing diabetes is the key to avoiding serious health complications, including neuropathy (nervous system damage), nephropathy (kidney disease) and retinopathy (eye disease). Routine medical examinations are key in order to successfully ward off this illness.
Doctors use several approaches to detect individuals at risk for diabetes. First, they’ll review medical histories and collect symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination and weight loss that are uncharacteristic of normality. Blood sugar levels will then be checked.
The USPSTF found with moderate certainty that screening for prediabetes and providing effective interventions has a moderate benefit in reducing its progression into Type 2 diabetes. Such interventions include lifestyle changes like losing excess weight, exercising regularly, eating healthily and quitting smoking. Families, schools, worksite and communities can assist by making it easy for individuals to incorporate such behaviors into daily life – for instance by offering nutritious snacks at work places, restricting screen time usage or encouraging physical activity. Alternatively, NHS offers a free technology-assisted Diabetes Prevention Programme that has proven its ability to cut risk by over half!
