You may not know these 6 ways to test diabetes, pathologists listen
If diabetes is monitored regularly, it becomes easy to manage this disease, but do you know which methods of diagnosis can be adopted?
Ways Of Testing Diabetes: Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders in which it becomes difficult to control blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia, also known as high blood glucose levels, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and leads to serious complications over time. The main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the
most common type 2 diabetes, in which the body becomes insulin resistant or does not make enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin.
Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar levels during pregnancy in women who did not already have diabetes. Women suffering from this disease are more at risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery.
The number of diabetes patients is increasing
Statistics show that by 2050, more than 1.31 billion people worldwide may be suffering from diabetes. This means that so many people will suffer from a disease that increases the interaction with life-changing morbidity, increased mortality and many other diseases. With the rapid increase in numbers, it is rightly being called the 'Disease of the Century'. The important factors of diabetes disease are due to obesity, dietary risks, environmental risk and professional risk, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and low physical activity.
Diabetes Symptoms and Its Impact
Symptoms of diabetes include feeling thirsty, needing to urinate more often than usual, blurred vision, feeling tired and unintentional weight loss. Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Thus, there is a greater risk of other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure or even permanent loss of vision.
Ways to detect diabetes
Renowned pathologist Dr. Renji Jacob said that due to the advancement in technology, we have many ways through which diabetes can be monitored.
1. AvanC Test
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level for the past three months. The advantages of being diagnosed in this way are that you do not need to fast or drink anything. Diabetes is detected at an A1C of 6.5% or higher.
2. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
: Fasting plasma glucose test checks your fasting glucose level. Fasting here means at least 8 hours before eating or drinking anything (except water) before the test. This test is usually done first thing in the morning, before breakfast. Fasting plasma glucose levels of 126mg/dl or more are diagnosed as diabetes.
3. Random Blood Sugar Test
: Random blood sugar test is done at any time of the day where fasting is not required. Diabetes is diagnosed at a random blood sugar level of 200mg/dl or more.
4. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
: An oral glucose tolerance test is a 2-3 hour test that checks your blood glucose levels before and after drinking sweet drinks. It tells the doctor how your body processes sugar.
5. Point of Care Test
: The recent advent of the Point of Care Testing (POCT) device has made testing even easier and thus enabled the patient to keep track of their blood sugar levels.
6. Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitor
A real-time continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a new technology that continuously monitors blood sugar levels throughout the day using sensors inserted under the skin.