1. Diagnosing Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects many Americans and many people around the world.
Understanding the symptoms of diabetes, and how diabetes is diagnosed is important. Not only
should you understand the symptoms and the diagnosis process for yourself, but you may also
need to recognize diabetes in someone that you love. By taking the time to learn all that you can
about diabetes now, you may be able to save your own life or save the life of a loved one in the
future. Invest time now in learning about diabetes, and it will be well worth it in the future.
Symptoms
There are many different symptoms that can be indicative of diabetes. Just because you or
someone that you know is suffering from one or many of the symptoms does not mean that they
have diabetes. It is important that you contact your health care provider if you or a loved one
begins to experience the symptoms of
diabetes.
If you have started to feel an increased sense
of thirst, if you have started urinating less
frequently, if you are losing weight without
attempting to lose weight, or if you find that
you have an increased appetite, you may
want to talk to your doctor about running
some test for diabetes. By getting these tests
done early, your doctor will be able to tell
you whether or not you have diabetes. If you
do have diabetes, it is important that you get
your diagnosis early to ensure you are able to
manage it well.
The Test
When you go in to talk to your doctor, and he or she thinks that you may have diabetes, they will
probably have you take a fasting plasma glucose test. To be able to take this test and have an
accurate reading, you will not be able to eat any food for at least eight hours before the test. It is
important that you talk to your doctor about the rules for the test and that you adhere to them
strictly.
When you head in to have your fasting glucose test, you should be prepared to have your blood
drawn. A health care professional will draw your blood and send the blood in for testing. This
test will show what the glucose levels in your blood are when you have not been eating. If they
are high enough, your doctor will diagnose you with diabetes.

2. Treating Diabetes
Work with your doctor closely as you are treating your diabetes. It is important that you manage
your diabetes well and you take the time to learn all that you can about the disease. You may
even want to look into diabetes clinical trials that are occurring in your area. By participating in a
diabetes clinical trial, you may be able to get cutting edge treatment for your disease. Take the
time that you need to research your treatment plan and then stick with the plan to ensure you are
able to manage your disease and lead a healthy and fulfilled life.