DIABETES SCREENING: Diabetes has been a global pandemic for many years now. I suggest you get tested if you haven’t done so.
There are 3 types of diabetes:
• Type 1
• Type 2.
• Gestational
Type 1 diabetes occurs mostly in early life when your body does not produce insulin or it produces so little that it is ineffective in controlling blood sugar. As such, treatment has to be with insulin.
Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy. Hormones and weight gain affect the glucose control of the body. These persons are at risk for developing diabetes in later life
Type 2 diabetes is what generally affects a greater percentage of the population. Diabetes occurs when our body is not able to manage the body’s glucose load (sugar levels) appropriately. Typical symptoms in affected persons are:
• Increased thirst
• Unintentional weight loss
• Increased frequency of urination
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Excessive appetite
• Dry mouth there is increased frequency of urination.
I recommend testing for diabetes using the
1. Glycated/Glycosylated hemoglobin test(A1C). This test shows how your blood sugars have been controlled over the past 2 to 3 months. It’s expressed as a percentage.
Normal is less than 5.6%.
Borderline diabetes or prediabetes is between 5.7 % and 6.4%
Diabetes is 6.5% and higher
Other tests:
2. Fasting blood glucose (FBG): A fasting (overnight fast) blood glucose of less than 100 mg/dl is normal.
A level from 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl is considered prediabetes
Fasting glucose levels of 126mg/dl and higher is a diagnosis of diabetes.
3. Random Blood Glucose: A random blood glucose of 200mg/dl 2 hours after a meal is also a diagnosis of diabetes
Prevention:
• Weight loss and exercise
• Reduction in central obesity (pot bellies)
• Moderation in alcohol consumption
• Avoid/decrease high glycemic foods (foods that cause marked elevations in blood glucose), such as white rice, white bread and potatoes.
• Eating fewer calories
• Fewer refined carbohydrates as in sweets
• Increase foods with fiber, more vegetables
For those with type 2 diabetes, use your medications as prescribed and incorporate the above suggestions as well.
• Test your A1c every 3 months
• Test urine for proteins annually to be sure your kidneys are not getting affected
• Control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Check your eyes annually to be sure the disease has not affected your vision. It is usually very subtle.
• Avoid walking around with bare feet as nerve damage in advanced diabetes could cause sensory loss and you may have a wound without noticing or feeling it.
If you are diabetic check your blood sugars as recommended by your doctor. Typically, it should be daily.
Try to get your fasting sugar levels less than 130 mg/dl and two hours after eating, keep levels less than 180mg/dl.
Check your A1c every three months if diabetes is uncontrolled and at least every 6 months if controlled. Keep it at 7% or below.
Francis Obeng MD