
Diabetes is an illness that is characterized by high blood sugar levels. It is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin, resulting in the overproduction of glucose, or sugar. The high sugar level interferes with normal body functions, causing permanent damage to many organs in the body.
There are several types of diabetes that include prediabetes, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and insulin-dependent diabetes. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It is also the most difficult to treat. It has the highest death rate, compared to all other types of diabetes.
Testing for diabetes is relatively simple and easy. The first step is to get your blood pressure. A trained professional can perform this test at a hospital or doctor’s office. Blood sugar levels are usually taken first, as the readings are more accurate.
Next, a blood test will be taken. When it comes to testing for diabetes, accurate results can be difficult to obtain. Therefore, blood samples should be collected at a number of locations throughout the body, which includes:
Testing for diabetes is often easier to diagnose in children than in adults. This is because many children do not have diabetes symptoms yet. Children may suffer from “minor” forms of diabetes, such as lack of energy, fatigue, or irritability. Other symptoms may include flushing, irritability, mild fever, frequent urination, nausea, nervousness, and dry mouth.
To diagnose diabetes, your doctor will usually perform blood tests, either by injecting liquid insulin into your vein or by giving you regular insulin doses. Insulin injection is performed during the first weeks of life when your pancreas produces sufficient amounts of insulin. Regular insulin doses are given for the rest of your life, either with injections or as a prescription.
Diabetic people who have not been diagnosed as early as possible should immediately stop taking insulin. Many times, symptoms can be mistaken for those of some other illness, so consulting a doctor is important. Also, if you notice a large increase in blood sugar levels, such as 10 times the normal level, it is advisable to contact your doctor. A low blood sugar level can be dangerous, especially in an older adult, who has had diabetes for a long time.
It has been estimated that more than two million people suffer from diabetes. More adults than ever before suffer from diabetes, but it is less commonly diagnosed in children. It is important to learn how to recognize and deal with symptoms. When diagnosed, it is usually easy to take care of, and most patients manage their diabetes very well.
The damage caused by diabetes is permanent and can include organ failure, blindness, amputation of limbs, heart disease, kidney disease, and even cancer. In addition, the problem of diabetes is not limited to adults, although it is most common in this age group. Statistics show that children between the ages of five and nine are the hardest hit by diabetes.
Some children have very few warning signs of this condition. It can be life-threatening if not properly treated. Therefore, it is important to know what to look for, and what steps to take.
If you suspect you may have diabetes, or if you have already been diagnosed, the best thing to do is to visit your doctor and undergo a simple blood sugar test. The sooner you get started on treating this disease, the better the outcome.