Index
- How is diabetes mellitus diagnosed?
- What's being a diabetic?
- How does diabetes mellitus develop?
- What can be done to detect this pathology?
- Measuring blood glucose levels
- The measurement of hemoglobin A1c
- Oral glucose tolerance test
How is diabetes mellitus diagnosed?
Among the most popular diseases of the last decades is diabetes. It is a chronic disease that cannot be treated. Diabetes can affect everyone, children and adults alike. This irreversible disease, when not properly managed, can lead to serious complications. That's why it's important to monitor and always control it. Whatever type of diabetes you have, it is important to diagnose it as early as possible. So how do you diagnose diabetes mellitus? What is diabetes and how does it develop? Find the answers to these questions below.
What's being a diabetic?
You always hear around you that such a person is diabetic, and you wonder what it is really all about? In fact, being diabetic is having very high blood sugar levels. This increase in blood sugar or glucose level manifests itself in very characteristic symptoms. So, if you have any of the signs listed below, you should go and see your doctor.
The main manifestations of diabetes mellitus that should put a bullet in your ear are :
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Significant weight loss
- An increase in appetite
- An intense thirst
- Constant drowsiness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing may also be observed in some cases
However, the majority of these signs are associated with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is usually asymptomatic.
How does diabetes mellitus develop?
When it comes to the causes of diabetes mellitus, there is the popular belief that this chronic condition is the result of too much consumption of sweets. However, the causes of diabetes vary according to the form of the disease.
- Type 1 diabetes, a form of diabetes that affects about 10% of diabetics, is caused by a dysfunction of the pancreas. This dysfunction may be a partial or total loss of the ability of this organ to produce insulin. In fact, insulin is a hormone whose role is to allow cells to use, store and properly assimilate glucose. In other words, insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels by making it easier to open the door to glucose in the body's cells. And when the pancreas does not function properly, the person in question becomes
- Type 2 diabetes affects up to 90% of diabetics. It is caused by insulin resistance and an inability of the pancreas to make enough This insulin resistance is the result of being overweight, sedentary, and lacking physical activity.
In addition to these two types of diabetes, there is also gestational diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This is due to the insulin resistance that occurs during this period.
What can be done to detect this pathology?
Since the symptoms of diabetes can vary from person to person, the only way to be sure that the disease exists is to go to the doctor and let the doctor make the diagnosis. To do this, there are several tests the doctor can have you take.
Measuring blood glucose levels
Blood sugar is the sugar level in the blood. High blood sugar is a symptom of diabetes. It is the cause of increased thirst and increased frequency of urination. To measure blood sugar levels, your doctor will take a small amount of blood from you on an empty stomach in the morning. A blood sugar level above 125 mg/dl or 6.9 mmol/l on an empty stomach can be a sign of diabetes. However, the test must be repeated the next day to be sure of the diagnosis.
The measurement of hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c is a protein in the blood that doctors can measure to determine the presence or absence of diabetes. It is also called glycated hemoglobin. Its role is to carry oxygen to all the red blood cells in the blood. And when the blood has a high level of glucose, the glucose will bind to the hemoglobin and eventually form hemoglobin A1c. A hemoglobin A1c test can be used to diagnose diabetes mellitus. However, it must be done in a certified laboratory. A hemoglobin A1c level greater than 6.5% means the person has diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test
It is also a blood test that is done to determine whether or not a person has diabetes. This test can also be done during pregnancy when doctors suspect gestational diabetes. This test is done on an empty stomach, and blood is also taken to measure blood sugar levels. After this, the person takes a liquid specially designed for the test that contains a fairly large amount of glucose. 2 or 3 hours later, another blood sample is taken. The results are then analysed to detect an excessively high increase. If this is the case, the person may be diabetic.
