With diabetes mellitus, blood sugar levels are constantly elevated. At the same time, glucose practically does not enter the cells of the body, they do not receive the required amount of energy, which means they begin to “starve”. Weakness, thirst, rapid fatigability, dramatic weight loss and constant hunger, inability to perform even the usual work are the most characteristic signs of diabetes mellitus. Having noticed them, a person should immediately visit a doctor’s appointment.
What is the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus?
The first thing that the doctor to whom you contact with your complaints will do is direct you to take blood tests and urine tests, according to the results of which a diagnosis will be made.
In a healthy person, there should be no glucose in the urine at all, and in the blood its indicators should be within certain limits. If the patient suffers from diabetes, then his blood sugar will be constantly increased. In addition, it will be detected in the urine.
In a person without diabetes, a fasting blood test will show results ranging from 3.3 mmol / L to 5.5 mmol / L. After a meal, blood glucose levels in a healthy person may increase no more than up to 7.8 mmol / L.
The following blood sugar limits are considered to be the norm: 3.3 mmol / l – 7.8 mmol / l.
If a blood test for diabetes mellitus shows 10 mmol / l or more, it means that glucose is already beginning to “leave” in the urine.
When blood glucose levels reach 13.5 mmol / l – 16.7 mmol / l, and in urine – more than 3%, acetone appears in the blood. It poisons the body, causing diabetic ketoacidosis , in which the patient can pass out and even die. But this turn of events can be avoided 100% of the time. The main thing is to regularly monitor blood glucose levels and carry out competent insulin therapy. Moreover, today it is very easy to do this if a person has a glucometer (for example, iChek , Contour TS) or an Easy Touch biochemical analyzer .
The first type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, adolescents, young people. But this does not mean at all that only the younger generation suffers from this disease.
Type 2 diabetes occurs at a more mature age, mainly after 40 years. This disease develops against the background of increased body weight, high blood pressure and cholesterol.