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DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES

There are several ways to diagnose diabetes. Usually, each method must be repeated the next day to diagnose diabetes.

The following tests are used to diagnose diabetes:

  • The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test measures the average blood glucose in the last two to three months. The advantage of being diagnosed in this way is that fasting conditions are not necessary.
  • The plasma glucose test measures blood glucose after at least eight hours after the last meal (fasting conditions). This test is used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.
  • The random plasma glucose test measures blood glucose at any time of the day, whether you have fasted or recently eaten. This test is used to diagnose diabetes, but not prediabetes.
  • The glucose tolerance test measures the blood glucose after at least eight hours after the last meal (fasting conditions) and two hours after drinking a glucose-containing beverage. This test is used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.

Even though the above tests can confirm that you have diabetes, they cannot identify the type of diabetes. To find out if you have type 1 diabetes, your doctor may recommend tests for certain autoantibodies. Autoantibodies are antibodies that mistakenly attack healthy tissues and cells. The presence of one or more types of diabetes-specific autoantibodies is common in type 1 diabetes, but not in type 2 diabetes.

TREATMENT OF DIABETES

The administration of insulin or other diabetes medicines is part of the treatment of diabetes. Along with a healthy diet and physical activity, medicines can help you control the disease.

The medicines will be given depending on the type of diabetes you have:

Type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, insulin is the main treatment because it replaces this hormone that the body is not able to produce.
There are four types of insulin and they are differentiated by how quickly they start to work and how long the effects last.

  • Fast-acting insulin starts working in 15 minutes, and the effects last between three and four hours.
  • Short-acting insulin starts working in 30 minutes, and the effects last between six and eight hours.
  • Intermediate-acting insulin starts working within one to two hours, and the effects last between 12 and 18 hours.
  • Long-acting insulin starts working a few hours after the injection, and the effects last between 24 hours or more.

Type 2 diabetes

Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage their disease through diet and exercise. If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your blood glucose, you need to take medicines. Most people with type 2 diabetes start medical treatment with metformin, which lowers glucose. This medicine can help with weight loss. Even if you do not take insulin, you may need it sometimes, such as during pregnancy or if you are in the hospital.

Gestational diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes, you will need to make some changes in your diet and regular exercise. If your blood glucose is still high, your doctor may prescribe diabetes medicines, such as insulin or metformin pills, that are safe during pregnancy.

A healthy diet is an important part of treating diabetes. In some cases, a change in diet may be enough to control the disease. Foods high in sugar rapidly raise blood glucose levels. Protein and fat cause more gradual increases. Achieving a proper balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates can help you control your blood glucose and lose a few pounds.

To keep your blood glucose level constant, try to eat small portions throughout the day.

COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES

Diabetes increases the risk of many serious health problems:

  • Skin problems: Bacterial infections, fungal infections, acanthosis nigricans, diabetic dermopathy, allergic skin reactions
  • Eye problems: Glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathy
  • Neuropathy (nerve damage)
  • Kidney disease (nephropathy)
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke

PREVENTION OF DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented because it is caused by a disorder of the immune system.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, here are some things you can do to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes:

  • Keep your weight under control
  • Walk or bike at least 150 minutes a week
  • Adherence to a healthy diet
  • Do not smoke (smokers are about 50% more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers)
  • Mild to moderate alcohol consumption

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