Diabetes is a potentially serious metabolic disorder capable of causing serious complications and even death if not diagnosed, monitored, and properly controlled. Fortunately, said ailment may be identified through the administration of diabetic indicator tests.

Diabetes Overview

Diabetes is a group of illnesses involving the body’s inability to adequately process glucose, which is known as sugar in layman’s terms. Individuals with diabetes could experience periods where their blood sugar concentrations are exceedingly elevated. If not quickly addressed, such an occurrence may precipitate significant health issues.

Types Of Diabetes

The two most commonly diagnosed forms of the disease are labeled as type one and type two.
Type one often strikes youths but can occur later in life. The type two variation typically impacts subjects 40 and older. That said, this strain can also emerge at any age.

Causes

The major biological cause of diabetes centers around an important metabolic hormone called insulin, which is produced inside the pancreas. Insulin plays a critical part in processing sugar.

Type one diabetes results when the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells for unknown reasons. As a result, sugar is not properly processed and transported throughout the body but builds up in cells over time.

Cells of those with type two diabetes gradually grow resistant to insulin’s actions. This forces the pancreas to produce to synthesize greater quantities of the substance. However, the pancreas eventually loses its capacity to keep up with the demand and illness ensues.

Risk Factors

Researchers maintain that one’s risk of developing the type one variation increases should they have some kind of compromised immunity, possess a family history of the disease, or reside in certain geographic locations.

These same medical professionals suggest that an individual’s chances of contracting the type two strain heightens provided the subject in question:

• Is overweight
• Does not obtain sufficient physical activity
• Possess a family history of the illness
• Has high blood pressure
• Is of advanced age
• Has elevated blood concentrations of bad cholesterol

One’s risk also rises precipitously if they hail from certain ethnic backgrounds. The prevalence of illness is highest amongst persons of African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, and Native-American heritage.

Symptoms

In certain cases, diabetes does not produce symptoms until the disease has progressed or elicits mild symptoms stricken subjects are simply able to ignore without fanfare.

That said, potential red flag physical manifestations often include:

• Increased appetite and thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unusual fatigue
• Vision disturbances
• Excessive urination

Additionally, afflicted individuals might witness an increased number of systemic infections and slow-healing wounds.

Complications

If not properly diagnosed and remediated, diabetes can harm almost every bodily system. Common serious diabetic complications include cardiovascular disease, immune system problems, major skin issues, painful nerve damage, kidney disorders, and sight problems.

The Importance Of Testing

Most doctors stress the importance of testing. It is important to reiterate that diabetes does not always present discernible symptoms. Ergo, an appreciable percentage of stricken subjects do not even realize they possess the illness and likely will not until moderate to severe complications arise.

Therefore, testing often proves crucial to preventing such concerns. Fortunately, physicians employ certain notable diabetic indicator tests such as:

Fasting Plasma Glucose Test

This examination, which is often abbreviated as the FPG test, measures your blood sugar levels following an appreciable period of fasting. Typically, healthcare providers recommend performing said effort in the morning following at least eight after the recipient’s last meal.

Random Plasma Glucose Test

Known to many as the RPG, this blood sugar measurement is taken at any time and regardless of whether or not the patient has been fasting. Moreover, this test is usually performed on individuals experiencing diabetes symptoms as a means of solid confirmation.

A1C

Also known by many other names, this test measures a recipient’s systemic glucose levels over a three-month period. Healthcare providers record test results by percentage. A higher average percentage often equates to higher blood sugar levels and the possibility of diabetes.

It is important to note that elevated results on one test does not necessarily mean the subject in question is diabetic. Physicians usually repeat the aforementioned procedures over several days before confirming diagnosis.

What If Tests Yield Positive Results?

Unfortunately, as of yet, diabetes has no known cure. Fortunately, however, the condition can be corralled through proper medical management.

The type of treatment an individual will receive will hinge on several factors, such as the specific type of the disease they have, the condition’s severity, their age, and general health.

That said, commonly employed treatment techniques include changing one’s diet, obtaining more exercise, carefully monitoring their blood sugar levels, and various medications. The most severe instances often require the administration of insulin.

Contacting Us

Those experiencing symptoms or whom possess any discernible risk factors are urged to contact the experienced medical team working for Vital Force Regenerative Medicine. Our staff performs countless diabetic indicator tests that can help confirm the condition and begin the treatment process.

Residents of Hoover and other nearby Alabama regions may learn more about us or the many services we provide by calling 205-352-9141