How do I know I have Diabetes?
Last updated on October 26th, 2020 at 02:30 am
Various medically approved diagnostic tests allow you to find out whether you have diabetes. These tests are reliable and are frequently suggested by doctors.
However, there are ways to check for signs, symptoms, and risk factors of diabetes at the comfort of your own home. Yet, these alone should not be taken as a final diagnosis of diabetes.
What are diagnostic tests done for diabetes?
- Fasting blood sugar test (FBS)
- Random blood sugar test(RBS)
- Postprandial (PP)
- HbA1c
- Oral glucose tolerance test
Note: All the above-mentioned tests are performed at the lab under the supervision of medical professionals.
Who are at the most risk from diabetes?
Overweight/Obese Individuals
People who weigh more in relation to their age and height have a relatively higher chance of getting diabetes.
BMI (Body mass index) is used to measure if you have a healthy weight.
BMI = weight(kg) / height(m2)
Usually, a BMI between 18 to 24.9 means the person is in a healthy weight range.
BMI between 25 and 29.9 means that a person is in an overweight range.
BMI above 30 puts a person in an obese category.
Need to See a Diabetes Consultant in Kathmandu?
Call Clinic One Kathmandu at 015400400, 9863393960/61 or Email us at info@clinicone.com.np to schedule your appointment.
What are risk factors for Diabetes?
Family history of diabetes: if any of your family members have diabetes, you are likely to have pre-diabetes and Type-2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes: This occurs in pregnancy and subsides by the end of pregnancy but it increases the risk of developing Type- 2 diabetes later on.
Sedentary lifestyle: The modern lazy lifestyle is a prominent cause for many diseases including diabetes.
Autoimmune disorders: Type-1 diabetes is associated with autoimmune disorders.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome: Many research has shown that women with this syndrome are prone to diabetes.
High blood pressure: Diabetes and high blood pressure are co-related to each other.
Race: It is seen that Africans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asians are at higher risk of diabetes.
Age: The risk of diabetes increases with the increasing age.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
- Frequent urination (sweet fragrance as ketones are present in the urine)
- Profuse sweating
- Dry mouth
- Increased thirst
- Insatiable hunger
- Weight changes
- Feeling tired, fatigue and weakness
- Frequent infection
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds
- Irritability and mood changes
- Darkened skin (especially in armpits, and neck)
- Itchy skin (mostly around the private parts)
- Numbness and tingling sensation on legs
If you are experiencing some of these signs and symptoms, it is advisable to consult an endocrinologist or a doctor to confirm the disease.
What are tests that you can perform at your home to check your glucose level and manage diabetes?
Glucometer
You can track your daily glucose level by this simple machine for diabetes management at home. Glucometer (available at any medical store) comes with the testing strips and lancet. You require less than a drop of blood to do this test.
First, you need to clean the fingertip and prick by using the lancet. Then fix the strip in the glucometer and keep the blood on the strip. The glucometer will show the reading in a few seconds. Also, you can follow the manual given on the glucometer as it comes in different brands.
The normal range of blood glucose level is 70 -120 mg/dl. This value varies according to your last meal.
Urine testing kits
Same as glucometer you can find Urine testing kits in pharmacies to test the glucose level at home.
For this test, a dipstick is dipped into the sample urine then you will have to wait for a minute or more according to the kit’s brand. The dipstick will change its color according to glucose level.
Normal glucose level of urine is 0 – 0.8 mmol/l(0 -15 mg/dl).
Diabetes is a chronic illness and its cure has not been found yet. By early screening and diagnosis, we can prevent and manage the disease at it’s best.
Get Insulin injection to manage Diabetes
Many times a Diabetic patients require regular Insulin injection to manage his/her Diabetes. At Clinic One Kathmandu, we offer Diabetes Insulin injection. Please contact us to schedule a visit to see a Diabetes doctor or get insulin shots.
