For: Diabetes
It is important to receive a diabetes screening if you have diabetes and if you are at risk. Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, usually occurring in genetically predisposed individuals, characterized by inadequate production or utilization of insulin and resulting in excessive amounts of glucose in the blood and urine, excessive thirst, weight loss, and in some cases progressive destruction of small blood vessels leading to such complications as infections and gangrene of the limbs or blindness. Glucose is a simple sugar your body uses for energy and is vital to your health because it's an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It's your brain's main source of fuel.
Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. A diabetes screening is beneficial for both conditions. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes — when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes — and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.
Learn more about other health screenings that HealthFair offers today.
What are the Warning Signs of Diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how high your blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not experience symptoms initially. In type 1 diabetes, however, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, can develop at any age and is often preventable.
How do I know if I’m At Risk?
Researchers don't fully understand why some people develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and others don't. It's clear that certain factors increase the risk, however, including:
Prevention:
Depending on what type of diabetes you have, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and oral medications may play a role in your treatment. Some other healthy lifestyle changes you can make are:
If you have any of the above risk factors, then get screened today!