Scientific Ways of Diagnosing Diabetes

Diagnosing diabetes should be done properly and in the tested and scientific procedures. This will not only ensure the accuracy of results but is also a step to protect the patient. Self testing could lead to incorrect procedure and inappropriate diagnosis.

What is diabetes? Medically referred as diabetes mellitus, this is the metabolic illness caused by the inability of the body to absorb and process glucose. Due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin in the body, sugar level is uncontrollable. The most common type of diabetes is the one that is due to the inefficacy of insulin in the body developed during adulthood or the Type 2 diabetes. The type of diabetes that usually afflicts the young is the Type 1 diabetes and this is mainly due to the body's failure to naturally produce insulin.

Almost 90% of all diabetes cases are Type 2 diabetes. More often than not, the cause is unhealthy living and lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels and nerves, cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems and the agonizing diabetic amyotrophy. Main causes of Type 2 diabetes are:

1. Obesity 2. Smoking 3. Unhealthy diet 4. Inactive lifestyle 5. Excessive intake of alcoholic drinks 6. Abusive drug use

Type 2 diabetes is developed over time. Here are some symptoms that indicate the need to properly diagnosing diabetes:

1. Insatiable hunger and thirst 2. Fatigue 3. Dry mouth 4. Gradual blindness 5. Yeast infections 6. Pestering sores, blisters and wounds 7. Frequent urination 8. Darkening of the skin around the groin area, armpits and neck 9. Drastic weight gain or loss

The common medical ways of diagnosing diabetes are:

1. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test - FPG is also known as fasting blood glucose test. This is the most convenient medical test and is usually the initial testing done. A fasting period of at least eight hours is required prior to taking blood samples. Glucose levels that are 99mg for every decilitre of blood are considered healthy. 100-125mg levels are classified pre-diabetes stage and over 125mg of glucose in the blood is already a case of diabetes. Further test will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test - The OGTT is the confirmatory test of diagnosing diabetes. If done properly, test results are highly accurate and reliable. More than the required fasting period, the test also necessitates the patient to be in good health, cases of flu or simple colds will be not be allowed. In addition to solid food, coffee, fruit juices and any sweetened drinks, smoking is also restricted. For OGTT, glucose is introduced to the body before timed intervals of blood samples will be taken. The blood sample taken at the 2hr interval should indicate below 140mg glucose. 140-199mg is an indication of pre-diabetes, while 200mg of glucose level is indicative of diabetes.

Patients within the pre-diabetes level have increased risk of developing full blown Type 2 diabetes. In order to reverse the condition, the patient should follow the type 2 diabetes diet of foods low in cholesterol. It is always best to avoid developing diabetes, but if symptoms are indicative, diagnosing diabetes early will help in proper treatment and possible reversal of the disease.