Diabetes Disease Basics
.Diabetes Disease Basics
If you are at risk for diabetes or have been recently diagnosed, odds are that you are still trying to break down what you have been learning and to make sense of it all. Here is the lay-person's version of what is going on when you are diagnosed or at risk for the disease. To really get the basics of diabetes and how to manage it, you must first understand how your body’s digestive system works.
What is the Treatment for Diabetes?
Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are the basic therapies for Type 1 Diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.
Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies for Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, many people with Type 2 Diabetes require oral Medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.
How do I know if my Diabetes medicines are working?
Monitor your blood sugar daily to see if your Diabetes medicines are working properly. Consult your doctor if you think your medicines are not working correctly. For best results, oral Medication must be taken regularly every day, not irregularly or started and stopped according to blood sugar. Since many dosages are available, a physician can change the dosage if blood sugars are running too high or too low. Some of these drugs can be used in combination with one another. You should change your Diabetes medicines only when your doctor advises you to.
How will my doctor test me for Diabetes?
Although the amount of glucose in your blood varies depending on when and what you eat, the range should be relatively narrow. In general, your blood sugar is highest after you eat and lowest after you have not eaten for 8-10 hours. After fasting all night, most persons have blood glucose levels between 70 and 110 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). After eating a large meal, a person's blood sugar will rise, but generally not above 140 mg/dL. People with untreated Diabetes will have higher blood sugar after fasting and after eating.
To check if you have Diabetes, your doctor will test your blood sugar levels. The results of these tests and other clinical findings will be used to decide if you have Diabetes and what type. Doctors cannot diagnose Diabetes on the basis of one single test. Instead, they will perform two or more glucose tests before confirming your diagnosis. The most common tests to measure glucose are the fasting plasma glucose test, the random blood sugar test, and the oral glucose tolerance test.