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Three Critical Tests Every Diabetic Should Take To Live Longer and Healthier
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cydne_Kaelin]Cydne Kaelin
So you've been diagnosed with diabetes. You should count yourself lucky. I'm serious. There are thousands in the US and worldwide who still don't know they have the disease, and therefore cannot do anything to halt its progression. In this case, the knowledge that you have diabetes can empower and direct your actions. Diabetes can be managed, and your quality of life doesn't have to suffer. Having diabetes does increases your risk of certain complications, but those risks can be minimized, perhaps even eliminated, if you and your physician carefully monitor your condition. Here are three important tests and exams for diabetics, the results of which you need to know to help keep your condition under control:
A1C Test
This diabetes test measures blood glucose levels over the past 120 days. It's also called the HbA1C test, or glycated hemoglobin test. When there's too much glucose, or blood sugar, in your bloodstream the excess bonds with the blood's hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen to your body's cells) and “glycates” it. The more glucose is present, the more hemoglobin becomes glycated. The percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood can be measured. Hemoglobin cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days, so the percentage changes as cells die and are replaced. While the daily blood tests spot check blood sugars at specific points in time, the A1C diabetes test measure your average blood glucose levels over weeks. This helps your doctor to know if and how well your treatment plan is working, and whether your sugars are tightly controlled before and after meals, or when you are sleeping or awake. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends all diabetics have an A1C test twice a year with a target of less than 7% glycated hemoglobin. Your doctor may order more frequent diabetes testing, or establish a lower target, to keep your diabetes tightly in check.
Microalbuminuria Test
Diabetes increases your risk of kidney damage and disease. In fact, diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure in the US. This key diabetes test measures for microscopic traces of albumen, or protein, in the urine (hence the name). Protein seepage into your urine is an indication of possible kidney damage. Early detection is important to prevent or treat any kidney problems. It's generally recommended that all diabetics have a microalbuminuria test at least yearly.
Dilated Eye Exam
High blood glucose causes the eye's lens to swell, which can cause eyesight to blur. It can take up to three months for vision to go back to normal after glucose levels have been controlled. Repeated bouts of high blood sugars and swelling can damage the eyes' delicate blood vessels and over time may cause the retina to slowly detach from the eye. This is called diabetic retinopathy. An annual dilated eye exam is a crucial diabetes test to schedule, because your vision is at stake. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the US among adults ages 20 -- 64. And the longer one suffers from diabetes, the greater the vision risks. Eye problems can be corrected if caught in time.
Ask your doctor or health professional today about these tests and other ways to help control your diabetes. Actively monitoring your condition with these three diabetes tests on a regular basis, along with daily testing and following your diet and medication plan, can help you live longer and healthier even with the disease.
Cydne Kaelin is a health writer living in Northern Georgia, USA. As a wife, niece and granddaughter of diabetics she has a keen personal interest in researching and writing about the disease. Visit Natural Diabetes Remedy, her diabetes blog at http://www.naturaldiabetesremedy.com for more information, news and tips on diabetes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cydne_Kaelin http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Critical-Tests-Every-Diabetic-Should-Take-To-Live-Longer-and-Healthier&id=420438
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cydne_Kaelin]Cydne Kaelin
So you've been diagnosed with diabetes. You should count yourself lucky. I'm serious. There are thousands in the US and worldwide who still don't know they have the disease, and therefore cannot do anything to halt its progression. In this case, the knowledge that you have diabetes can empower and direct your actions. Diabetes can be managed, and your quality of life doesn't have to suffer. Having diabetes does increases your risk of certain complications, but those risks can be minimized, perhaps even eliminated, if you and your physician carefully monitor your condition. Here are three important tests and exams for diabetics, the results of which you need to know to help keep your condition under control:
A1C Test
This diabetes test measures blood glucose levels over the past 120 days. It's also called the HbA1C test, or glycated hemoglobin test. When there's too much glucose, or blood sugar, in your bloodstream the excess bonds with the blood's hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen to your body's cells) and “glycates” it. The more glucose is present, the more hemoglobin becomes glycated. The percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood can be measured. Hemoglobin cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days, so the percentage changes as cells die and are replaced. While the daily blood tests spot check blood sugars at specific points in time, the A1C diabetes test measure your average blood glucose levels over weeks. This helps your doctor to know if and how well your treatment plan is working, and whether your sugars are tightly controlled before and after meals, or when you are sleeping or awake. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends all diabetics have an A1C test twice a year with a target of less than 7% glycated hemoglobin. Your doctor may order more frequent diabetes testing, or establish a lower target, to keep your diabetes tightly in check.
Microalbuminuria Test
Diabetes increases your risk of kidney damage and disease. In fact, diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure in the US. This key diabetes test measures for microscopic traces of albumen, or protein, in the urine (hence the name). Protein seepage into your urine is an indication of possible kidney damage. Early detection is important to prevent or treat any kidney problems. It's generally recommended that all diabetics have a microalbuminuria test at least yearly.
Dilated Eye Exam
High blood glucose causes the eye's lens to swell, which can cause eyesight to blur. It can take up to three months for vision to go back to normal after glucose levels have been controlled. Repeated bouts of high blood sugars and swelling can damage the eyes' delicate blood vessels and over time may cause the retina to slowly detach from the eye. This is called diabetic retinopathy. An annual dilated eye exam is a crucial diabetes test to schedule, because your vision is at stake. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the US among adults ages 20 -- 64. And the longer one suffers from diabetes, the greater the vision risks. Eye problems can be corrected if caught in time.
Ask your doctor or health professional today about these tests and other ways to help control your diabetes. Actively monitoring your condition with these three diabetes tests on a regular basis, along with daily testing and following your diet and medication plan, can help you live longer and healthier even with the disease.
Cydne Kaelin is a health writer living in Northern Georgia, USA. As a wife, niece and granddaughter of diabetics she has a keen personal interest in researching and writing about the disease. Visit Natural Diabetes Remedy, her diabetes blog at http://www.naturaldiabetesremedy.com for more information, news and tips on diabetes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cydne_Kaelin http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Critical-Tests-Every-Diabetic-Should-Take-To-Live-Longer-and-Healthier&id=420438
Three Critical Tests Every Diabetic Should Take To Live Longer and Healthier - Having diabetes does increases your risk of certain complications, but those risks can be minimized, perhaps even eliminated, if you and your physician carefully monitor your condition. Here are three important tests and exams for diabetics, the results of which you need to know to help keep your condition under control...
No Longer An Adult Only Disease
Obesity, lack of exercise lead to Type 2 diabetes in children. The rate of obesity in children ages 5-17 has gone from 5% in 1980 to about 18% today. Being obese increases the risk of a child developing type 2 diabetes, and experts say they are now seeing an alarming number of cases of the disease in children
Obesity, lack of exercise lead to Type 2 diabetes in children. The rate of obesity in children ages 5-17 has gone from 5% in 1980 to about 18% today. Being obese increases the risk of a child developing type 2 diabetes, and experts say they are now seeing an alarming number of cases of the disease in children
Insulin Sensitizers Good or Bad
To use an insulin sensitizer or not! What is better and safer? With the current New England Journal Article on Avandia and it's increased risks for cardiovascular problems, I believe we have missed the whole point of the article.
To use an insulin sensitizer or not! What is better and safer? With the current New England Journal Article on Avandia and it's increased risks for cardiovascular problems, I believe we have missed the whole point of the article.
Can High Glycemic Index Foods Be Useful?
High glycemic foods can be useful for mankind who are recovering from high exertion or those suffering from hypoglycemia. Mankind with Type I or Type II Diabetes should avoid high glycemic index foods as they can play havoc with the medication they are taking.
High glycemic foods can be useful for mankind who are recovering from high exertion or those suffering from hypoglycemia. Mankind with Type I or Type II Diabetes should avoid high glycemic index foods as they can play havoc with the medication they are taking.
Is There a Cure For Diabetes?
The health burden caused by diabetes mellitus, known to most simply as diabetes, is growing which is forcing the diabetes community to respond with one of three choices.
The health burden caused by diabetes mellitus, known to most simply as diabetes, is growing which is forcing the diabetes community to respond with one of three choices.
10 Best Home Remedies for Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism the way our bodies use digested food for development and energy. It is widely accepted as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. It is connected with long-term complications that affect
Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism the way our bodies use digested food for development and energy. It is widely accepted as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. It is connected with long-term complications that affect
Side Effects of Insulin: Allergic reaction. It can be moderate or even severe. Moderate symptoms include swelling, itchy or squeezing at injection place. Severe symptoms among other are: pulse become quickly, blood pressure descends, squeezing all over the body, breath become difficult. If a patient experiences the severe symptoms, he/she should immediately contact his/her doctor.
