Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. When you eat food, most of it is broken down into sugar (glucose) and released into your bloodstream. Your pancreas releases insulin when your blood sugar goes up, which acts as a key to let the blood sugar into your body's cells for use as energy.
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Types of Diabetes
There are several types of diabetes, with Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes being the most common:
Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune reaction that stops your body from making insulin. Requires daily insulin treatment.
Type 2 Diabetes
Your body doesn't use insulin well and can't maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Gestational Diabetes
Develops during pregnancy in women who don't already have diabetes.
Blood Sugar Tests
| Test Type | Normal Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting Blood Sugar | 70-99 mg/dL | Measured after 8 hours of fasting |
| Post Prandial | Less than 140 mg/dL | Measured 2 hours after eating |
| HbA1c | Below 5.7% | Average blood sugar over past 2-3 months |
Uncontrolled diabetes can affect multiple body systems, leading to complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, and vision problems.
Common Symptoms for High Blood Sugar
Increased Thirst
Feeling thirstier than usual and drinking more fluids
Frequent Urination
Making many trips to bathroom, especially at night
Extreme Hunger
Feeling hungry even after eating
Fatigue
Feeling very tired and weak
Blurred Vision
Changes in vision clarity
Slow Healing
Cuts and bruises that heal slowly
Common Symptoms for Low Blood Sugar
Shakiness
Trembling hands and body
Sweating
Sudden cold sweats even when not active
Hunger
Intense, sudden feeling of hunger
Fatigue
Feeling very tired and weak
Fast Heartbeat
Racing heart or palpitations
Anxiety
Feeling nervous or irritable without reason
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. It's measured in two numbers: systolic (pressure when heart beats) and diastolic (pressure when heart rests).
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Blood Pressure Range
| Test Type | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120/80 mmHg |
| ELevated | 120-129/less than 80 mmHg |
| High | High: 130/80 mmHg or higher |
High blood pressure in diabetics can double the risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetics should maintain BP below 140/90 mmHg to prevent complications.
Common Symptoms for High Blood Pressure
Dizziness
Feeling unsteady or lightheaded when moving
Severe Headaches
Throbbing pain especially in the morning at the back of head
Chest Discomfort
Feeling of pressure or pain in chest area
Vision Problems
Blurred vision or seeing floating spots
Nosebleeds
Unexplained bleeding from nose without injury
Common Symptoms for Low Blood Pressure
Fainting
Sudden loss of consciousness, especially when standing
Nausea
Feeling sick to stomach and possible vomiting
Cold Skin
Pale, cold and clammy skin
Blurred Vision
Difficulty focusing or temporary vision loss
Fatigue
Unusual tiredness and lack of energy
Body Mass Index
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a measurement that helps assess whether a person has a healthy body weight for a given height. It is commonly used to categorize individuals into different weight ranges, such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.It's a key indicator for diabetes risk assessment.
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BMI Range
| Test Type | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Less than 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight | 25-29.9 |
| Obesity | 30 or greater |
Higher BMI increases insulin resistance and diabetes risk. Weight management is crucial for diabetes prevention and control.
BMI Calculator
Calculate your BMI: Weight (kg) / (Height (m))²
Skin Thickness
Skin thickness measurement, particularly at the triceps, is used to assess body fat distribution and can be an indicator of diabetes risk.The measurement of the skin's layers, primarily the epidermis (the outermost layer that protects against environmental damage) and dermis (the thicker layer beneath, containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue). The thickness varies across body parts and individuals, influencing skin health and healing.
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Skin Thickness Range
| Gender | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Male | 0.60-3.20mm |
| Female | 1.50-2.80mm |
Changes in skin thickness can indicate insulin resistance and metabolic changes associated with diabetes. Higher skin fold measurements often correlate with increased diabetes risk.
Skin Thickness Measurement
Skin thickness can be measured in two ways:
| Method | Tools |
|---|---|
| At Home: |
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| Medical Centers: |
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Common Symptoms for Skin Thickness
Joint Stiffness
Difficulty moving fingers and toes, Reduced flexibility due to skin thickening
Digital Sclerosis
Thick, tight, waxy skin on fingers and toes, Limited joint mobility and stiffness
Acanthosis Nigricans
Dark, velvety skin patches in body folds, Most common on neck, armpits, and groin areas
Tight Waxy Skin
Shiny, thickened skin on backs of hands, May spread to forearms and upper arms
Scleredema Diabeticorum
Thickened skin on upper back and neck, Feels like peau d'orange (orange peel texture)
Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. It allows cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy or store it for future use. Insulin plays a crucial role in maintaining normal metabolism and preventing high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which is essential for overall health. It is especially important for people with diabetes, as their bodies either don't produce enough insulin or can't use it effectively.
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Insulin Range
| Test Type | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Fasting | 3-25 mIU/L |
| Post-meal | Less than 30 mIU/L |
In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't produce insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough. Both conditions lead to high blood sugar levels.
Common Symptoms for Insulin
Intense Sugar Cravings
Strong urges to eat sweets and carbohydrates
Excessive Hunger
Feeling hungry soon after meals
Dark Patches
Darkened skin areas, especially in body folds
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness despite adequate rest
Brain Fog
Difficulty concentrating and mental clarity issues
Diabetes Pedigree Function
Diabetes Pedigree Function is a tool used to assess the genetic risk of developing diabetes based on family history. It evaluates the presence of diabetes in first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) and second-degree relatives (grandparents, uncles, aunts). A higher Diabetes Pedigree Function score suggests a greater genetic predisposition to developing the condition.
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Diabetes Pedigree Function Range
| Range | Risk factor |
|---|---|
| Less than 0.1 | Lowest risk |
| 0.1-0.3 | Low to moderate risk |
| 0.4-0.5 | Moderate to high risk |
| Greater than 0.5 | High risk |
A higher pedigree function value indicates stronger genetic influence and potentially higher risk of developing diabetes. This helps in early prevention and monitoring strategies.
Pedigree Calculator
Diabetes Pedigree Signs
Early Age Onset
Developing symptoms before age 50
Gestational History
Mother had diabetes during pregnancy
Early Complications
Family history of early diabetes complications
Family Pattern
Multiple family members diagnosed with diabetes
Ethnic Background
Stronger prevalence in certain ethnic groups