Description
A chronic disease of metabolism distinguished by the body's inability to produce enough insulin, and/or a resistance to the insulin being made. Insulin is necessary for body cells to transport sugar into the cells and to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein efficiently. Patients with diabetes have too much glucose in their circulation causing damage to almost every organ in their body. There are three types of diabetes: Type 1 is usually found in younger patients and requires insulin, Type 2 develops later in life and is more commonly associated with obesity, and gestational diabetes is associated with pregnancy.
Symptoms
Increased urination, increased drinking of fluids, increased appetite, nausea, fatigue, blurry vision, numbness or tingling in the feet.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Glucose measurements are performed randomly and as a fasting level first thing in the morning. A hemoglobin A1C can measure the average glucose level over time. With very high glucose levels or high acid levels in the body, serum ketones and an arterial blood gas may be measured to rule out a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Tests:
Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Urinalysis (UA)
Other Specific Tests: Serum ketones, arterial blood gas
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pediatric Endocrinology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Glucose measurements are performed randomly and as a fasting level first thing in the morning. A hemoglobin A1C can measure the average glucose level over time. With very high glucose levels or high acid levels in the body, serum ketones and an arterial blood gas may be measured to rule out a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Tests:
Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Urinalysis (UA)
Other Specific Tests: Serum ketones, arterial blood gas
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pediatric Endocrinology
Treatment
Type 1 diabetes requires supplemental insulin either as an injection or as an intermittent continuous infusion delivered from an insulin pump. The insulin doses required are dependent on glucose measurements performed during the day. Sometimes, type 2 diabetes can be controlled with weight loss, dietary discretion and exercise. Type 2 diabetes often requires oral hypoglycemic medications and may also require insulin.