Diagnosis of Diabetes

Diabetes can be detected under various circumstances. The symptoms of acute diabetes are so dramatic that it is almost impossible to miss the diagnosis. But in a number of patients, diabetes develops so gradually and silently that it is revealed only by the methodical examination of the urine and the blood. It is believed that undiagnosed diabetics probably outnumber known diabetics. It is prcisely for this reason that all persons above 35 years of age, especially if they are obese or have a family history of diabetes should get their urine and blood examined at regular intervals of time to ascertain the presence or absense of diabetes. Actually most of these tests are utterly simple and can be learnt or performed by every interested person.

Diagnostic investigations:

a.) Tests to detect the presence of sugar in the urine (glycosuria)
b.) Tests to detect the amount of sugar in the blood.

Other investigations which may help the diabetic:

Laboratory investigations are inevitable to assess the degree of control achieved while treating diabetes and of such investigations urine sugar estimation is the most common and important investigation.

Besides there are other investigations which help to detect complications of diabetes. These include the estimation of acetone, albumin and chlorides in urine.

The presense of acetone in the urine is an indication of ketosis. On detection of acetone, rapid steps should be taken to prevent diabetic coma.

The presense of albumin in the urine is an indication that something is wrong with either kidneys or the ureter.

The estimation of the amounts or chlorides in urine gives information about the state of electrolyte balance in the diabetic's body.

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Team- Knowledgeishealing