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Info On Type 2 Diabetes

Diagnosing Type 2 diabetes

How do doctors determine if you have type 2 diabetes? The doctor has three different tests he can perform to see if your blood glucose levels fit into the range of Diabetes or pre-diabetes. These include the fasting plasma glucose, the oral glucose tolerance test, and the random plasma glucose test. All but the last one will diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes. The last one will only diagnose Diabetes. When you come into the doctor’s office with a list of symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend one of these three. Let’s look at each one and what the results may be.

The first type of test your doctor may perform to check for Type 2 Diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose or FPG. This test is both convenient and low priced. This makes it the first choice for many physicians to make an initial diagnosis. It may sometimes provide a false negative. So many doctors may use another test to verify. With this test, the patient must fast for 8 hours before. Many doctors perform the test early in the morning before the patient eats breakfast. The test measures the glucose levels in milligrams per deciliter or mmol/L. With a reading of 99 mg/dl  (5.5 mmol/l) or below, the patient is normal and does not have diabetes. If the reading is between 100 and 125 mg/dl (5.6 -  7.0  mmol/L), the patient likely has pre-diabetes. A reading over 125 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) means the patient likely has Diabetes. Your doctor will repeat the test to verify results.

Another test performed is the oral glucose tolerance test or OGTT. It is more sensitive than the FPG. It also requires an 8 hour fast. At the time of the test, the technician takes the plasma glucose level. Immediately after this, the patient ingests a cup of water with 75 grams of glucose dissolved in it. Two hours later, the technician takes a second plasma glucose level. The reading taken after the two hours is what is measured. If the reading is 139 mg/dl (7.7 mmol/l) or below, the patient is clear of diabetes . If the reading is between, 140 and 199 mg/dl (7.7 -11 mmol/l), the patient has pre-diabetes. If the reading is over 200 mg/dl (11 mmol/l), the patient has diabetes.

Another test, called the random plasma glucose test, measures blood glucose levels without a fast involved. Doctors use it in conjunction with displayed symptoms to diagnose Diabetes. If the patient displays symptoms like, increased urination or thirst or unexplained weight loss, and has a glucose level over 200 mg/dl (11 mmol/l), the doctor will likely recommend a FPG or OGTT to confirm a diabetes diagnosis.

Living With Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes - I'm New at This. Help Me Cope

You just got a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Now, what do you do? Your first reaction may be shock and disbelief. Even if you have a family history of the disease, the mind often doesn’t deal well with thinking it might happen to you. When it does happen, you will likely react very emotionally. That is not a bad thing. It is your way of coping with this change in your life. Some people may even go through the classic stages of grief while dealing with this diagnosis. However, you need focus on something else first. The faster you get your diabetes under control the better off you will be in the long run. While dealing with the emotions is important, this needs to be just as high on the list of priorities.

The first thing to consider is how severe is your Diabetes and what are the recommendations from your doctor. In less severe cases, many people can manage their type 2 diabetes through exercise and Diet for many years. If you didn’t catch your diabetes in that stage, you may be looking at medications or even insulin injections. Get an honest look at your current situation. Your doctor may give you referrals to nutritionists and diabetes specialists to help you get on top of the condition now. If you have any questions, call your doctor for more information.

The second thing to do is start building a team around you that will help you manage this disease. This means your family first. You will need to make changes in your diet and exercise. It helps to have your family with you on these changes. Your doctor is definitely a big part of your team. Add additional support people if you can. Get the help of a nutritionist or dietician that deals with Diabetic patients. They can give you recommendations on what, how and when to eat. Seek the help of diabetes coaches that help people adjust to their type 2 Diabetes diagnoses. If you are having trouble dealing with the diagnosis, adding the help of a therapist may help. They can help you work through the emotional process.

The next thing to do is start making the changes necessary to your life. You will likely make changes to your diet, activity level, and weight if you want to manage your Type 2 Diabetes . Once you begin managing your diabetes, you will feel more control over the situation.

Controlling Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes   - Newly Diagnosed.  Help!

Getting a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can hit you up the side of the head. Many people find themselves sitting on the couch staring at the wall. How did it happen? Why did it happen? Where do you go from here? All of these are common questions that those with a new diagnosis ask. They suddenly must step into a whole new world of medical terms and testing. In order to stay on top of their disease, they must start making changes to their lives. It can be extremely overwhelming for anyone. It can also be overwhelming for members of their family as well.

So, how do you deal with this diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes? If you are having real issues with the diagnosis, seek the help of a trained therapist. They can help you work through the emotional issues that come up after a diagnosis. Seeking the help of a religious leader or teacher is another way to deal with it. Many new diabetics find comfort in joining support groups designed just for people in their situation. Seeking help from others is not a sign of weakness. It is a strong message to yourself that you will not be defeated in the face of this disease.

Another way to cope with your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is self-education. In order to get ahead of this disease getting accurate information is very important. Find leading resources on the internet and start finding out about the disease. What causes it? How do you treat it? There is a host of treatment options out there. Many people find they can control their diabetes naturally with Diet and exercise. Others may need medications or insulin. Some people have dramatically improved through a vigorous regime of diet changes and specific exercises. Getting more information never hurts.

A final way to cope with your diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes  is to do nothing about it. Ignoring something makes it seem to disappear. You can stay at home and deal with the rising problems that will follow. You will face severe nerve damage and circulation issues that may lead to amputation. You will face increased risks for heart disease that could lead to heart attack or stroke. You will eventually face death at an early age and leave your family devastated. It is an option that some choose to follow. However, is it the right one?