Having diabetes means a lifetime of maintaining their diabetes and the blood sugar and controlling their glucose levels. The blood sugar level shows of how much glucose, which is a basic sugar, is found in the bloodstream. Glucose, in one form or another, is in many of the foods that we eat, so diet is a very important part of controlling the glucose levels in your bloodstream.
Diet and exercise are also key factors in controlling diabetes; in fact some doctors say that diet alone can control type 2 diabetes. The diabetic will be given dietary guidelines by their medical practitioner no matter what type of diabetes you have.
It is suggested that diabetics pay rigorous attention to their diet and self-monitoring activities to establish which foods because the worst glucose-level peaks and troughs, then make "self adjustments".
However, the best way of controlling diabetes, and the only way for those with type 1 diabetes, is for patients to test their glucose levels regularly - as instructed by their doctor - and to take the appropriate levels of medication or injection of insulin.
Since a diabetics body either doesn't produce insulin, as in Type 1 diabetes, or cannot process the insulin that it makes, which is found in Type 2 diabetes, these blood sugar levels can vary much more then those of a person in perfect health.
Diabetics afflicted with type 1 diabetes should be checking their blood sugar levels daily before eating. The number of tests each day should a minimum of 2 times per day, but some patients may need as many as 6 tests in a day. These tests help determine how much insulin needs to be taken into the body to help process the glucose.
Type 2 diabetics are able to control their diabetes with drugs and dieting. However they too need to be monitoring their blood sugar levels a few times a week. This should be done immediately after eating a meal or up to 90 minutes after eating. To check your blood sugar levels, the most commonly used method of obtaining a blood sample is to prick the finger. You then take the blood that is released and put it onto a testing strip, which comes with blood sugar level testing kits. Lots of research is on going and a new gadget is now available that checks a diabetic's blood sugar and lets them know if it falls to a dangerous low. Monitoring devices are now coming on the market and by late summer will be available in the United States.
These monitors are not as accurate as "normal" blood tests, finger lances, but researchers are hoping that within a couple of years it will allow a diabetic to forgo putting their finger to test for blood glucose levels. If the monitor signals that blood sugar levels are low, it is necessary to take a blood test for confirmation. The monitors are also slow to show rapid changes that occur, especially when you exercise. This monitor is working to make finger lances outdated for all diabetics.
Those who have used the monitors report little discomfort. A patch worn on the abdomen may hurt when it goes on because there is a tiny wire placed under the skin to measure the glucose in cell fluid. The receiver is about the size of a cell phone. A patch can be worn for several days before changing.
Researchers are working toward pairing the new monitoring device to insulin pumps. These pumps have been on the market for years and could reduce the time needed for controlling diabetes to a minimum. The monitoring portion of the device will not be available until later this summer, so it isn't fully automatic yet, but it is promising news for those who are trying to control Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
The insulin is prepared in a dry micro fine powder form which is inhaled directly into the lungs from where it is absorbed into the blood stream.
Best Laboratory Tests for Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
History and physical examination are most important tools for diagnosing diabetes Mellitus, however to confirm diagnosis one should have following laboratory tests.
Tests for ongoing monitoring of diabetes control:
HbA1c blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 3 months.
Fructosamine blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 2 weeks
How frequently a person must check his sugar level is the decision of your doctor. It mainly depends upon patient’s age and number of risk factors like blood pressure, higher cholesterol or smoking. If you are above 45 years then you should have your blood sugar level after every 3 years.
A- URINE SAMPLE FOR SUGAR AND KETONES
You may have your urine analysis for sugar or ketones which are produced by breakdown of fat and muscle cells to diagnose diabetes but you should keep in mind that if you are having positive urine test for sugar then it is not necessary that you are suffering from diabetes because there are other conditions as well which also cause sugar to appear in urine.
B-THE FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) TEST
For diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus one must have this test because it is best, easy and comfortable to perform. You should have overnight fast (at-least 8 hours) before performing this test. If fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dl, then you don't have diabetes. Between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is called a Pre-diabetes or Impaired fasting glucose condition. If fasting blood glucose is above 126mg/dl on more than two occasions then you are suffering from diabetes.
C-RANDOM (NON-FASTING) BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
it is also a good test for diagnosing diabetes. In this test we take sample of blood shortly after taking a meal and then check glucose level in blood.
D-ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
Though this test is not commonly used these days but it is still a gold standard for diagnosing diabetes. For diagnosing gestational diabetes this is best test.
Person is not taking anti diabetic drugs or any drug which alters blood sugar level.
Before test, person should eat high carbohydrate diet for three days.
No alcoholic beverages.
On test day one should not smoke or take coffee.
Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure:
First normal blood glucose is tested. Then person drinks 75gm of glucose, for pregnant woman dose of glucose is 100 gm. Then blood samples are taken at particular intervals for measuring blood glucose level. Blood glucose level is measured five times over a period of 3 hours. In simple words, in normal person, this blood sugar level gets higher value by taking 75gm of glucose; however it falls down quickly, but in person having diabetes the blood sugar level rises higher than normal but does not come down quickly. If a person has fasting blood glucose above 140mg/dl and 2 hours value after 75gm of oral glucose greater than 200mg/dl and considered as diabetics. If 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is labeled as Pre-diabetic condition or impaired fasting glucose. During pregnancy, 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is treated as a case of diabetes.
OTHER TESTS
Glycosylated hemoglobin Test or HB A1 Test:
Very important test which tells you how good you are in controlling your blood sugar. It shows your blood sugar control during the past 2 to 3 months.
Intravenous GTT:
This test is performed in individuals who have intestinal disease or malabsorption.
Extended GTT:
In this the oral Glucose Tolerance Test is extended to 3-4 hours rather than 2 hours, for appearance of symptoms of hyperglycemia. In short if your fasting blood glucose is more than 126mg/dl on two or more days, or your random blood glucose is above 200mg/dl or your oral glucose tolerance test is positive i.e. 2 hours blood glucose value between above 200mg/dl after 75gm of glucose, then you are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.
Diet and exercise are also key factors in controlling diabetes; in fact some doctors say that diet alone can control type 2 diabetes. The diabetic will be given dietary guidelines by their medical practitioner no matter what type of diabetes you have.
It is suggested that diabetics pay rigorous attention to their diet and self-monitoring activities to establish which foods because the worst glucose-level peaks and troughs, then make "self adjustments".
However, the best way of controlling diabetes, and the only way for those with type 1 diabetes, is for patients to test their glucose levels regularly - as instructed by their doctor - and to take the appropriate levels of medication or injection of insulin.
Since a diabetics body either doesn't produce insulin, as in Type 1 diabetes, or cannot process the insulin that it makes, which is found in Type 2 diabetes, these blood sugar levels can vary much more then those of a person in perfect health.
Diabetics afflicted with type 1 diabetes should be checking their blood sugar levels daily before eating. The number of tests each day should a minimum of 2 times per day, but some patients may need as many as 6 tests in a day. These tests help determine how much insulin needs to be taken into the body to help process the glucose.
Type 2 diabetics are able to control their diabetes with drugs and dieting. However they too need to be monitoring their blood sugar levels a few times a week. This should be done immediately after eating a meal or up to 90 minutes after eating. To check your blood sugar levels, the most commonly used method of obtaining a blood sample is to prick the finger. You then take the blood that is released and put it onto a testing strip, which comes with blood sugar level testing kits. Lots of research is on going and a new gadget is now available that checks a diabetic's blood sugar and lets them know if it falls to a dangerous low. Monitoring devices are now coming on the market and by late summer will be available in the United States.
These monitors are not as accurate as "normal" blood tests, finger lances, but researchers are hoping that within a couple of years it will allow a diabetic to forgo putting their finger to test for blood glucose levels. If the monitor signals that blood sugar levels are low, it is necessary to take a blood test for confirmation. The monitors are also slow to show rapid changes that occur, especially when you exercise. This monitor is working to make finger lances outdated for all diabetics.
Those who have used the monitors report little discomfort. A patch worn on the abdomen may hurt when it goes on because there is a tiny wire placed under the skin to measure the glucose in cell fluid. The receiver is about the size of a cell phone. A patch can be worn for several days before changing.
Researchers are working toward pairing the new monitoring device to insulin pumps. These pumps have been on the market for years and could reduce the time needed for controlling diabetes to a minimum. The monitoring portion of the device will not be available until later this summer, so it isn't fully automatic yet, but it is promising news for those who are trying to control Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
The insulin is prepared in a dry micro fine powder form which is inhaled directly into the lungs from where it is absorbed into the blood stream.
Best Laboratory Tests for Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
History and physical examination are most important tools for diagnosing diabetes Mellitus, however to confirm diagnosis one should have following laboratory tests.
- Urine sugar test
- Urine ketones test
- OGTT-Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, (also called glucose challenge test)
- Blood glucose tests
- FPG-Fasting plasma glucose Test
- Random plasma glucose Test
Tests for ongoing monitoring of diabetes control:
HbA1c blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 3 months.
Fructosamine blood test - an average blood sugar measure over about 2 weeks
How frequently a person must check his sugar level is the decision of your doctor. It mainly depends upon patient’s age and number of risk factors like blood pressure, higher cholesterol or smoking. If you are above 45 years then you should have your blood sugar level after every 3 years.
A- URINE SAMPLE FOR SUGAR AND KETONES
You may have your urine analysis for sugar or ketones which are produced by breakdown of fat and muscle cells to diagnose diabetes but you should keep in mind that if you are having positive urine test for sugar then it is not necessary that you are suffering from diabetes because there are other conditions as well which also cause sugar to appear in urine.
B-THE FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) TEST
For diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus one must have this test because it is best, easy and comfortable to perform. You should have overnight fast (at-least 8 hours) before performing this test. If fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dl, then you don't have diabetes. Between 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is called a Pre-diabetes or Impaired fasting glucose condition. If fasting blood glucose is above 126mg/dl on more than two occasions then you are suffering from diabetes.
C-RANDOM (NON-FASTING) BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST
it is also a good test for diagnosing diabetes. In this test we take sample of blood shortly after taking a meal and then check glucose level in blood.
D-ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT)
Though this test is not commonly used these days but it is still a gold standard for diagnosing diabetes. For diagnosing gestational diabetes this is best test.
Person is not taking anti diabetic drugs or any drug which alters blood sugar level.
Before test, person should eat high carbohydrate diet for three days.
No alcoholic beverages.
On test day one should not smoke or take coffee.
Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure:
First normal blood glucose is tested. Then person drinks 75gm of glucose, for pregnant woman dose of glucose is 100 gm. Then blood samples are taken at particular intervals for measuring blood glucose level. Blood glucose level is measured five times over a period of 3 hours. In simple words, in normal person, this blood sugar level gets higher value by taking 75gm of glucose; however it falls down quickly, but in person having diabetes the blood sugar level rises higher than normal but does not come down quickly. If a person has fasting blood glucose above 140mg/dl and 2 hours value after 75gm of oral glucose greater than 200mg/dl and considered as diabetics. If 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is labeled as Pre-diabetic condition or impaired fasting glucose. During pregnancy, 2 hours blood glucose value between 140-200mg/dl is treated as a case of diabetes.
OTHER TESTS
Glycosylated hemoglobin Test or HB A1 Test:
Very important test which tells you how good you are in controlling your blood sugar. It shows your blood sugar control during the past 2 to 3 months.
Intravenous GTT:
This test is performed in individuals who have intestinal disease or malabsorption.
Extended GTT:
In this the oral Glucose Tolerance Test is extended to 3-4 hours rather than 2 hours, for appearance of symptoms of hyperglycemia. In short if your fasting blood glucose is more than 126mg/dl on two or more days, or your random blood glucose is above 200mg/dl or your oral glucose tolerance test is positive i.e. 2 hours blood glucose value between above 200mg/dl after 75gm of glucose, then you are suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.
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