Diabetes cannot be diagnosed solely by
home testing. People with unusual readings will need further testing
by a doctor.
Tests might include fasting tests,
plasma glucose test, tests following consumption of a glucose
solution (or oral glucose tolerance test - OGTT), HbA1c tests, or a
combination of these.
When deciding on a blood glucose meter
to purchase, a few factors should be considered. A blood glucose
meter, testing strips, and a lancet that holds the lances to draw the
blood are all necessary for testing. Some testing kits offer all
four, while others require purchasing each piece separately.
People should consider the cost of
testing strips as well as the meter itself, since people with
diabetes use many testing strips. Some other tips for buying a meter
include:
- selecting one with automatic coding
- checking insurance plans to see if the insurer only covers certain meters
- looking at whether the unit stores previous data
- considering portability, since larger units can be harder to carry
- weighing blood sample size, particularly for people who do not like pricking themselves
Meters that use a smaller sample size
will also use a less painful stick. Many people with diabetes have
no symptoms at all. As a result, the absence of symptoms does not
necessarily mean the absence of diabetes.
Many of the symptoms of type 1 and type
2 diabetes are the same, since both affect the body's ability to
regulate blood glucose. Those symptoms include:
- increased hunger and thirst
- increased urination, particularly at night
- unexplained weight loss
- tiredness that is not well-explained by something else, such as sleep deprivation
- blurred vision
- slow-healing sores, or wounds that appear to heal and then reopen
- high blood pressure
Pregnant women who suddenly experience
these symptoms should consider the possibility of diabetes. The
placenta releases hormones during pregnancy that can make it more
difficult for the body to control blood sugar. Left untreated,
gestational diabetes can cause a range of pregnancy complications.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause
of death in the United States and can lead to a host of
complications. These include:
- Increased hunger and thirst, as well as increased urination at night, may be symptoms of diabetes.
- cardiovascular problems, including stroke, heart attack, and blood clots
- wounds, numbness, tingling, and even loss of feet or limbs
- kidney failure
- nerve damage
- chronic headaches
- blindness
Early interventions can reduce the risk
of severe or fatal diabetes complications. The right combination of
medication and lifestyle changes may even help reverse some cases of
diabetes.
People performing home diabetes testing
who have unusually high results, particularly more than once, should
see their doctors. People with diabetes whose blood glucose is poorly
controlled, or whose blood glucose suddenly changes, should also
consult a doctor.
Changes in diet, medication, or both
may be recommended. Diabetes can be well-controlled by managing
carbohydrate intake, and exercising regularly,
People with prediabetes are at risk for
developing diabetes if blood glucose is not managed. It's especially
important for people with prediabetes to talk to their doctors, and
to continue regular blood glucose testing.
Part 2 of 3 parts
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