What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disorder that occurs when the pancreas is unable to make insulin. Glucose is the prime source of energy for various cells that help in the formation of muscles and tissues. In diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin produced to its optimum. Type 1, Type 2, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes are some of the types of diabetes that the human body can acquire.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, urination and hunger, unexpected weight loss, blurred vision, tingling in feet or hands, unhealed sores, etc. Symptoms in Type 1 diabetes multiply faster as compared to Type 2 diabetes.

Diagnosis:

An assessment and analysis of the symptoms teamed with certain predetermined tests can help diagnose diabetes.

Tests for Type 1, Type 2, and Prediabetes

• Glycated haemoglobin test (A1C )
  This test measures the percentage of sugar to hemoglobin over a period of two to three months. The reading of 5.7 and below is normal, 5.7 – 6.4 indicates the symptoms of prediabetes, and 6.5 or higher indicates diabetes.
• Random blood sugar test
  Most of the sugar tests require one to fast, but this test is different. It is done to check the blood sugar level at any given point in time. Usually, this cannot be used to diagnose prediabetes. It is useful for those who need an on-the-spot diagnosis, such as those with Type 1 diabetes or those who require supplementary insulin in an emergency.
• Fasting blood sugar test
  This test usually requires one to fast for at least eight hours. It is used to detect diabetes or prediabetes. A person with a reading of glucose which is 99 and below is considered normal, 100 – 125 as prediabetic, and above 126 as a diabetic.
• Oral glucose tolerance test
  Like the fasting sugar test, this also requires one to fast for at least eight hours overnight. After the fasting test, the person to be diagnosed is given a sugary liquid. The blood sugar level is monitored every two hours.

Tests for gestational diabetes

Normally, during pregnancy, a screening test for gestational diabetes is performed. This happens between 24 and 28 weeks of the pregnancy. Interestingly, this disorder reverses automatically once a woman conceives. A woman may be at a high risk of gestational diabetes if she is:

• Obese
• Has a family history of diabetes
• Diagnosed with gestational diabetes before
• High blood pressure
• More than 25 years of age

Treatment for diabetes

Treating diabetes requires professional guidance on a regular basis. Depending on the type, doctors and nutritionists can help you lead a better life.

Insulin
Type 1 diabetes require insulin to survive as there is no production of insulin in the body. It cannot be taken orally and needs to be injected through a fine needle and syringe or insulin pen.

Oral medications
Metformin is normally one of the first medications prescribed for someone who is diagnosed with diabetes.

Transplantation
This option is recommended to patients whose diabetes cannot be controlled or who need a kidney transplant.

Depending on the type of diabetes you have, the diagnosis and treatments may vary. If you think you have diabetes, visit the doctor to get it checked.