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experience no symptoms at all. It is estimated that many people who are diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes have had it for several years before it is found.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
· Increased thirst
· Increased urination
· Increased appetite
· Fatigue
· Blurred vision
· Slow-healing infections
· Impotence in men
Signs and tests
A urine analysis may be used to look for glucose. However, a urine test alone does not diagnose diabetes. The following blood glucose tests are used to help your GP diagnose diabetes and he/she will decide if you need any of them.
· Fasting blood glucose level
· Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level
· Oral glucose tolerance test
Treatment
There is currently no cure for diabetes. The immediate goals are to stabilize your blood sugar and eliminate the symptoms of high blood sugar. The long-term goals of treatment are to prolong life, relieve symptoms, and prevent long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, limb amputations and blindness.
If you have been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes knowing basic diabetes management skills will help prevent the need for emergency care. These skills include:
· How to recognize and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
· What to eat and when
· How to take insulin or oral medication
· How to test and record blood glucose
· How to handle sick days – your medication may need altering if you are unwell as illness places greater demands upon your body
After you learn the basics of diabetes care, learn how the disease can cause long-term health problems and the best ways to prevent these problems. People with diabetes
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