What Happens after a Positive Diagnosis of Diabetes?

Bristol Diabetes . Access . What is Diabetes?

Further Tests and Innoculations.

Where some of the common symptoms have occurred it is likely that further tests will be made to check if any damage to the body has already happened, these tests can include -
  • tests of kidney functions
  • tests of blood cholesterol levels
  • sensitivity tests on the feet and toes
  • likely to be referred to an optician - for an eye test
  • likely to be referred to a dietician - for dietary advice
  • may also be referred to a foot specialist - for foot care and advice
As diabetics are more prone to infections, inoculations for pneumonia and the annual flu (regardless of age) are also likely to be suggested.

Treatments for Diabetes.

The aim of all the various types of treatment is to control blood sugar levels, trying to get as close as possible to the normal levels.

Good diet and regular exercise (d&e) are always an important part of treatment even for those on drugs and/or insulin.

Diet and Exercise.

D&E treatments can both help with good control of blood sugar levels and also lessen the risk of developing Complications. Together they are likely to reduce the need for high levels of drugs and/or insulin and slow the progression of diabetes

Drugs

Type 1 diabetics (who make up roughly 1 in 10 of all diabetics) will be put on insulin immediately. Monitoring by blood test will also be necessary.

For the majority of type 2 diabetics though control by diet and exercise will usually be tried before any drug or insulin treatments.

Monitoring

Monitoring of diabetes by urine test or single drop blood test may also be suggested. Test strips for both urine and blood testing are available on the NHS free of charge for those on drug or insulin treatments. Meters however cost from £15, sometimes cheaper if you look around.

In my opinion monitoring is essential for good control for those on drugs or insulin. Using a meter to test blood gives immediate results of blood sugar (glucose) levels and for most is the best option.

Having written that it is no use monitoring if you do not act on this information. That can be first by changing diet and exercise or (with professional assistance) by changing drugs and insulin.

Smoking and Diabetes.

Smoking GREATLY increases the risk of complications with Diabetes Smoking with Diabetes GREATLY increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, eye damage & kidney damage. Stop if you can!

External Links.

  • BBC h2g2: Giving up Smoking. For some not always practical advice, but peoples actual experiences of giving up (and trying to give up) smoking.
  • QUIT, with a free (in UK) 0800 help line number.

Diabetes and Body Weight.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a good way to check if you are over weight.



 

This is a based on both weight and height, if your BMI is more than 25 you are over weight. A Body Mass Index anywhere between 20 and 25 is considered in the healthy range.

If you are over weight reducing down to a target weight suitable for your height is very likely to improve blood sugar level control and reduce the risk of diabetic complications. Losing weight can enable you to reduce the quantity of drugs and insulin needed!

Those who are over weight should be given a target weight to try to reduce too. Get professional advice before you try to lose large amounts of weight!

Be aware that some drugs increase appetite, insulin makes the body process blood sugar properly and can lead to weight gain too.

This is because with high blood sugar levels, the kidneys remove some of the sugar in the blood. These high blood sugar levels, in the middle to long term can cause damage!

Diabetes Long Term.

At present there is no cure for Diabetes. Complications are more likely the longer you live with diabetes. The younger you are the tighter your control should be - to lessen the long term risk.

For Type 2 diabetics, treatment by diet and exercise may be sufficient for years. Beyond this there are drug treatments to help the body produce more insulin and to use insulin more efficiently in processing the sugar in the blood.

There are also drug treatments to reduce the absorption of fat from the gut, aiming to reduce weight (body fat) which helps the insulin work more efficiently. Some also reduce insulin resistance which again helps the insulin work more efficiently.

Type 2's - Increasing Drugs and Moving to Insulin.

Many feel that when higher doses of drugs or insulin are needed that they have failed in some way. While good control of blood sugar is likely to delay the progress of diabetes the pancreas usually produces less insulin with time.

Delaying an increase in drugs or a move to insulin when control is generally poor runs the risk of complications developing or progressing. It may be even possible to return to drugs or reduce drugs if you regain good control so don't delay to long!