Approach to diabetes diagnosis: A review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a global epidemic non communicable condition which has affected about 431 million total number of people according to Atlas,8th edition 2017.Most of the times is diagnosed late, the longer the disease the higher the risks of complications. The patient seek medical assistance at any health care services when either has been alarmed with strange symptoms happening on his body or a result of diabetes disease has occurred on his body and that prompt the investigations which lead to diagnosing the disease. Symptoms like polyuria, polydipsia, and retinopathy are some of the few things a patient presents with in front of health practitioner. There are many types but classified into type I and type 2, Insulin dependent and Non-insulin dependent respectively. Other conditions are in transition that is can either develop disease or not but most important thing is to monitor such clients. Blood sample is the specimen that is used to check for glycaemia. The commonly used tests to diagnose diabetes are Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, Fasting blood sugar, Random blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin. Urine can also be used to semi-quantitatively detect sugar in the urine and that will give a good picture of the status of the condition. Most importantly, prevention of complications of the disease will do a great benefit to the health of patient. The results of complications include damage of the nerve, cardiovascular disease, eye problem and kidney problems Therefore, diagnosing and monitoring of condition by employing glycated haemoglobin is crucial. This will help clinicians have a picture of the past 90-120 days of glycaemia and obtain quick results that will help to improve patient care.