Diabetes
Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of disorders characterised by high blood sugar levels for a prolonged time. Warning signs may be absent. Symptoms may include increased thirst, increased appetite, and frequent urination. Complications may develop if the high blood sugar levels are left untreated. Short term complications may include diabetic ketoacidosis, severe dehydration with a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state or death. In the long term there is a risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, eye damage, foot ulcers and dementia.
The three main types of diabetes.
They are:
Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas insulin production is reduced or absent, Type 2 diabetes, which is a combination of insulin resistance, where the body does not respond to insulin properly, Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women, typically in the second half of the pregnancy
Treatment for each type of diabetes is individualised based on each person’s unique circumstances.
Diabetes is considered to be a silent killer. At least half of those affected are unaware that they have diabetes. Diabetes is the second leading cause of death of South Africans. Know your status. Know your risk.
Are you at risk? The following are known risk factors for developing diabetes:
Diabetes diagnostic tests.
Diabetes West can conduct the full range of medical diabetes diagnostic tests to establish the diabetes type and stage of diabetes. Subject to your circumstances, this could be a Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) test, random blood sugar test, fasting blood sugar test or an oral glucose tolerance test, or others. Diabetes West offer a series of pre-screening and screening tests to identify those at risk and facilitate the prevention of diabetes at an early stage.