Testing For Pre Diabetes

Article by Roger Thompson

Pre-diabetes, also known as “impaired glucose tolerance,” is a health condition with no symptoms. It is almost always present before a person develops the more serious type 2 diabetes. It is an alarming sign for upcoming diabetes or a chance to change your future. Universally numerous terms were given like, Borderline Diabetes, Chemical Diabetes, Touch of Diabetes etc. More and more, doctors are recognizing the importance of diagnosing pre-diabetes as treatment of the condition may prevent more serious health problems. For example, early diagnosis and treatment of pre-diabetes may prevent type 2 diabetes as well as associated complications such as heart and blood vessel disease and eye and kidney disease. Doctors now know that the health complications associated with type 2 diabetes often occur before the medical diagnosis of diabetes is made.

When there are indications that a person may be subject to developing diabetes, it may be prudent to be tested periodically to determine if the ailment is imminent. Many times a patient takes a diabetes test and is determined have pre diabetes, a level of sugar in their blood that may indicate it is likely they will develop diabetes. There are a couple of tests the doctor can perform to determine if a person has pre diabetes or full blown diabetes. Glucose that is not appropriately processed by the body will adhere to blood cells instead of being transferred into the body’s cells. The fasting plasma glucose test can determine how much sugar is in the blood for the past 30 to 60 days. A level of 100 or less is accepted as normal and a reading of between 100 and 125 is considered pre diabetes. When readings are over 126 they are consider to have diabetes.

Another test for diabetes can be done with the invasiveness of drawing blood, to determine how well the body reacts to sugar intake. A blood glucose test is performed with the results noted. The patient then drinks a 12 ounce soda with a high sugar content and the pre diabetes test is repeated. If the amount of sugar in the blood increases dramatically, it can be a sign the body is not producing enough insulin or that the insulin produced is not able to do its job.

Most doctors rely on the fasting plasma glucose test for accuracy.

While genetic predisposition is one of the most commonly considered indicators a person may contract diabetes there are others to consider. Type 2 diabetes, or adult onset diabetes is more common if folks over the age of 45. Being overweight with a body mass index greater than 25 and during a glucose tolerance test, indications noted the patient is susceptible to developing diabetes. In some cases when pre diabetes has been detected a change in lifestyle and eating habits can help the body better process the sugar in the bloodstream, reducing the need for drug intervention later in life. Reducing the mount of refined sugar in the diet and working to reduce cholesterol levels have been successful in reducing the onset of diabetes. Exercise can also improve good cholesterol levels while helping to reduce bad cholesterol and is a benefit for those overweight in attempt to drop the extra pounds.

About the Author

Roger Thompson writes for Leading Leading Portal for health care, medical, biotech and hospital jobs.

Are Your Blood Glucose Levels Properly Controlled

? Do You Have Stable Blood Sugar Levels?

Article by John Mowatt

Glucose provides the energy which powers your body. This substance is also called blood sugar and is produced when food carbohydrates are consumed. Blood glucose levels, or blood sugar levels, are controlled in the bloodstream by the hormone insulin which is produced by the pancreas. Normal blood glucose levels are in the range of 70 to 150 mg. Blood sugar above 150mg. constitutes a problem and levels below 70mg are also problematical. This low sugar condition which is called hypoglycemia is a serious and sometimes fatal condition which must receive immediate medical treatment.

When your reading is above 150 mg. this is also a problem known as hyperglycemia which if persistent leads to diabetes. This is a serious condition which is characterised by kidney, nerve and eye damage and is potentially fatal if not treated. Your doctor will conduct a blood glucose level test if he suspects possible diabetes. A fasting test is done after eight hours without food consumption, as the first check for diabetes. The result should optimally be between 70 and 99 mg in this test. A further check two hours after having a meal should find levels between 70 and 150 to be in the normal range.

A series of random checks throughout a day, regardless of meal times, should find levels between 70 and 125 . An oral glucose tolerance may be conducted to determine your tolerance toward this substance. You will be given a glucose drink some time before the procedure and a result falling outside the normal range suggests that you may have diabetes. Blood glucose levels can be influenced by many things, and one bad test may not be conclusive. In addition to this the results depend on the lab which does the processing. For this reason follow up testing over a period of time is needed to confirm any diagnosis.

Blood sugar levels which vary widely and are inconsistent can be indicative of a health problem which is likely to be diabetes. If your doctor does diagnose diabetes it is quite possible to have a normal life if you follow all his recommendations for diet, medication and possible insulin treatments. It is likely in most cases that exercise will be prescribed, as well as a low glycemic index diet. If you follow these recommendations you will be able to control your diabetes and to lead a normal life.

About the Author

If you would like to have more information about normal blood glucose levels, your blood sugar level, and tests for diabetes have a look at our blog.

Blood Glucose Levels – The Importance of Blood Sugar Monitoring

Article by Ervin Kraker

Glucose is a type of sugar that fuels bodily functions. This sugar molecule is broken down from the ingestion of food, more in particular carbohydrates. The glucose molecules will then be absorbed by the body through the bloodstream which will then be transported all throughout the body. To be able to reap the energy-providing capacities of glucose for the cells, what is required is the hormone insulin. Special types of cells, called beta cells that are found in the pancreas synthesize insulin. This is exactly what occurs in a healthy individual although this is not the case with individuals who are suffering from diabetes. In the case of diabetes, the pancreas either does not or is not capable of synthesizing the insulin hormone in order to regulate blood glucose levels. This condition can actually lead to a lot of many health concerns, which usually take place in people who are suffering from diabetes.

The blood glucose levels usually elevates whenever you eat a meal. This raise prompts the pancreas to generate the insulin hormone in order to aid in maintaining the blood sugar levels and help in the utilization of glucose molecules as energy for the cells. In diabetes sufferers, there is either no or a lack of insufficient volumes of insulin synthesized thereby causing the increase of the levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Glucose, if found excessively in the body, causes the blood to be thicker thereby making the heart to pump the blood to supply the entire body. In addition to this, excessive amounts of blood glucose in the bloodstream cause the inability of the blood to carry on other essential substances such as nutrients as well as oxygen molecules. The liver and the kidney are also overworked because the insulin hormone assists in making the excretion of glucose from the blood a lot easier. When insulin is present, the kidneys and the liver degenerate because there is no fuel that will provide the energy to make these functions possible and the glucose will tend to become thick in the excretory organs. All of these events is not a one-time deal just as like a stroke or a heart attack. The disease wears away the capabilities of the organs slowly, thereby brewing up to organ failure in the future.

This is for the very reason why diabetes sufferers should have their blood sugar levels to be regularly monitored in order to prevent serious complications to take place in the long run. Blood glucose can be monitored can be done easily. There are two major ways on how to do blood glucose monitoring: the simple ways and with the use of some laboratory tests. The following are some of the basic and simple blood glucose monitoring procedures that are done these days:

1. The Fasting Plasma Glucose Test 2. Hemoglobin A1c test 3. The Urine Test 4. The blood sugar strip test 5. Observation of the body

Monitoring of blood glucose is much of the essence for sufferers of diabetes living at home as not everybody has the access or the means to take the tests that would certainly tell the level of blood sugar present.

About the Author

Do you still have questions about blood glucose levels and how to test your sugar levels? Visit http://www.pre-diabetes-symptoms.com/ today for more free information!