Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre- diabetes or diabetes, healthy care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes.
With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.
In the OGTT test, a person’s blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.
If you think you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, check with your physician.
Who can get diabetes?
Anyone can get diabetes. However, there are certain factors that can make you more a risk for diabetes. People who have close relatives with the disease are somewhat more likely to develop it. The risk of developing diabetes also increases as people grow older. People who are over 40 and overweight are more likely to develop diabetes. So are people of African-American, Hispanic or Asian heritage. Also, women who develop diabetes while pregnant are more likely to develop other types of diabetes later in life.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
While severity of symptoms can vary, many people with diabetes may experience some or all of these symptoms:
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Blurry vision
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Fatigue (feeling weak, tired)
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Increased urination
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Increased hunger (especially after eating)
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Increased thirst
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Dry and itchy skin
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Skin infections
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Dry mouth
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Change in vision
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Slow healing wounds/cuts
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Unexplained weight loss or weight gain (not related to eating habits)
In some cases there are no diabetes symptoms – this can happen with type 2 diabetes. In this case, people can live for months, even years without knowing they have the disease.
For more information about the Lennon Diabetes Center at Huron Hospital, call 216.761.4286, or e-mail diabetescenter@ccf.org.