Diabetes testing and management

Diabetes is a group of health problems* where blood sugar levels are too high. A hormone called insulin usually helps control blood sugar. When a person eats, their blood sugar goes up, and insulin helps move the sugar into cells. This is important because all of the body's cells need energy. When there is not enough insulin, sugar doesn't get in the cells. In people with diabetes, the body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use it well. This causes sugar to stay in the blood, which can harm organs over time.

There are three common types of diabetes:*

• Diabetes gestacional can develop during pregnancy. It acts like type 2 diabetes and can affect the health of the fetus. Blood sugar levels may return to normal after birth if it's treated during pregnancy.
• Diabetes tipo 1 means the pancreas doesn't make insulin. There isn't a cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed.
• Diabetes tipo 2 means the body isn't using insulin correctly. There isn't a cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can be managed.

While it's not a type of diabetes, a person can be diagnosed with prediabetes. This means their blood sugar level is higher than normal but hasn't progressed to type 2, yet. Prediabetes can often be reversed with treatment.

Diabetes symptoms can vary* depending on a person’s blood sugar levels:

• Visión borrosa
• Extreme hunger
• Fatiga
• Sentir sed con más frecuencia
• Infecciones
• Micción frecuente
• Irritabilidad
• Cicatrización lenta de las heridas
• Pérdida de peso

Long-term or untreated diabetes* can lead to heart attack, kidney damage, nerve damage, stroke, vision issues or a weakened immune system.

A health care provider can use a few different types of tests to diagnose diabetes:

• Fasting plasma glucose tests (FPG) measure the blood glucose level at a single point in time. This test is usually done first thing in the morning before breakfast because it requires the person to not eat or drink for at least eight hours.
• Random plasma glucose tests help determine if further testing is needed. This test can be taken at any time and doesn't require fasting.
• A1C tests provide average blood glucose levels over the last three months. This helps determine if someone is at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Because it does not require fasting, the test can be given at any time. An A1C test might not be accurate if a person is pregnant or has certain types of anemia or any other blood-related problems.

MinuteClinic® providers can test for and monitor type 2 diabetes. Talk to your primary care provider if you have type 1 or gestational diabetes.

La diabetes tipo 1 no se puede prevenir. A primary care provider helps people manage type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes may be able to be avoided or delayed by diet and exercise. Dejar de fumar may also help prevent type 2 diabetes.

• Health care providers recommend 30 minutes of exercise five days a week to help avoid type 2 diabetes. 
• Weight-loss programs and diet changes may help. Add non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli and peppers to meals. Replace sodas and sugary drinks with water or unsweetened beverages. Las proteínas magras, frutas y granos integrales también pueden contribuir a la prevención.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a disorder caused by type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This condition happens when high blood sugar levels damage nerves in the body, especially in the hands and feet. It can cause pain or numbness, making it harder to feel things. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop peripheral neuropathy.

Some common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include the following:

• Mayor sensibilidad al tacto
• Debilidad muscular que puede provocar dificultad para mover brazos y piernas o mantener una postura erguida
• Entumecimiento en el área afectada
• Hormigueo (como alfileres y agujas) o sensación de ardor en el área afectada
• Dolor agudo, intenso o constante

Diabetes is managed with lifestyle changes, medication and testing:*

• Changing to a healthier lifestyle to help keep blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the recommended ranges.
• Developing a treatment plan with a health care provider to identify medication needed.
• Regular testing to help a person understand their symptoms and help a health care provider adjust treatment.

After starting a diabetes treatment plan, regular checkups help keep the condition under control and prevent problems. Regular tests and exams will help see how well the treatment is working and make any necessary adjustments.

To help keep diabetes under control, it's essential to have regular checkups. These visits help health care providers see how well your treatment is working and make any necessary changes to keep a person healthy. Monitoring may include the following:

• A1C (glycated hemoglobin) testing
• Controles de la presión arterial 
• Medición del índice de masa corporal (IMC)
• Prueba para medir el colesterol
• Kidney function (microalbumin) testing
• Examen completo de los pies

If diabetes is left untreated, the high glucose levels can create other health conditions and complications, including heart attack, kidney damage, nerve damage, stroke, vision issues or a weakened immune system.

Two common complications include:

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy results from nerve damage, most commonly in the the legs and feet.
• Diabetic retinopathy results from blood vessel damage at the back of the eye (retina).

La neuropatía periférica diabética no tiene cura, pero hay formas de controlar los síntomas, aliviar el dolor y retrasar su progresión. El tratamiento para la neuropatía periférica causada por la diabetes puede incluir:

• Mantenimiento de los niveles de azúcar en la sangre según lo indique su proveedor
• Prescripción de medicamentos para tratar el dolor neurálgico
• Cambios en el estilo de vida, como modificar su dieta, dejar de fumar y reducir el consumo de alcohol