Basic Diabetic Screening

Diabetes is a disease in which our blood glucose, or blood sugar levels are too high. The two common terms associated with Diabetes are Glucose and Insulin.

Our body gets Glucose from the foods we eat while Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas (organ in our body) that helps the glucose get into our cells. Insulin helps to lower the blood glucose. Without enough insulin, the glucose does not get absorbed by the cells and keeps circulating in the blood.

There are three main types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes was also formerly called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas undergoes an autoimmune attack by the body itself, and is rendered incapable of making insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day.

Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. In this type, our body does not make or use insulin well. This type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. However, one may develop type 2 diabetes at any age.

Gestational Diabetes: Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Sometimes, you may not be suffering from diabetes, but just be a PREDIABETIC.

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

·         increased thirst and urination

·         increased hunger

·         fatigue

·         blurred vision

·         numbness or tingling in the feet or hands

·         sores that do not heal

·         unexplained weight loss

Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms. Some people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes-related health problems.

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you

·         are overweight or obese

·         are age 45 or older

·         have a family history of diabetes

·         are African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander

·         have high blood pressure

·         have a low level of HDL cholesterol, or a high level of triglycerides

·         have a history of gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more

·         are not physically active

·         have a history of heart disease or stroke

·         have depression 

·         have polycystic ovary syndrome 

·         have acanthosis nigricans—dark, thick, and velvety skin around your neck or armpits