Diabetes is a medical condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or is not able to utilize it properly. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Glucose is the main sugar the body utilizes as an energy source. Diabetes results in high sugar levels in the blood.
Types
Diabetes comes in two types. Type 1, previously known as juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and adolescents. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin. The most common form is type 2 diabetes, in which the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells in the body do not respond to it. Another condition is pre-diabetes, in which the levels of glucose in the blood are high, but not high enough to consider it diabetes. People with pre-diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Symptoms
The diagnosis of diabetes starts with the symptoms. The high levels of sugar in the blood overwhelm the capacity of the kidneys to retain the sugar inside the body, so glucose starts spilling into the urine. According to the Merck Manuals, this leads to excessive and frequent urination, called polyuria. The excessive urination leads to increased thirst and the desire to drink large amounts of fluids, a condition called polydipsia. Weight loss is another symptom, as the main energy source, glucose, is lost in the urine. This leads to polyphagia, or increased hunger.
Lab Work
Several laboratory tests are useful in the diagnosis of diabetes. The presence of glucose in the urine, as measured in a urine analysis, is a clue toward diagnosis. Measuring the fasting blood sugar levels is one of the best ways to diagnose diabetes. A fasting level of more than 126 mg/dL suggests the presence of diabetes. Another important test is the hemoglobin A1C, which checks the long-term average of blood sugar levels.
Considerations
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is important to avoid long-term complications of the disease. Most complications result from the excessive blood sugar levels. Over the years, high blood glucose can cause damage to blood vessels, resulting in heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney damage and poor circulation to the extremities, which can predispose you to ulcers, gangrene, infections and even amputations.
Treatment
The diagnosis of diabetes requires significant lifestyle changes. People with pre-diabetes can decrease their chances of getting diabetes by engaging in a healthy lifestyle, with exercise and healthy foods. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, diet and exercise can decrease the chances of complications and lower your daily insulin requirements. Insulin injections are the principal therapy for people with type 1 diabetes. For those with type 2 diabetes, oral hypoglycemic agents can be used to control blood sugar levels, but some people with type 2 diabetes eventually will need insulin as well.
