Diabetes is one of the most devastating diseases one can have. But although a growing number of people are diagnosed with it every year. not many people really know what it is. The phrase diabetes mellitus has an intriguing origin. The word “mellitus” comes from a Greek word that means sweet. “Diabetes” is the Greek word for siphon. Somewhere in their history the Ancient Greeks found out that when some people drank a lot, the liquids nearly immediately left their body in the form of urine – just as though it were being siphoned from their bodies.
In addition to the frequent urination, the Greeks noted that the urine from these people had a slightly sweet taste. Hence the phrase “diabetes mellitus” or sweet flavored siphoned liquid. Now, you may well ask why were the ancient Greeks tasting urine? They used it as a mouthwash, to prevent the formation of cavities. Remember, this was before the name brand mouthwashes that are so popular today.
Diabetes does not suddenly appear. Before diabetes is diagnosed, the body has already begun to manifest changes and symptoms. Collectively these symptoms are often referred to as pre-diabetes. To test for pre-diabetes, you need to find the blood glucose levels in your bloodstream. You can find low cost diabetic testing supplies in medical supply houses and drug stores.
Diabetes is defined as the blood glucose level falling within a specified range. Researchers have also defined the glucose level at which a person is considered normal. If your blood glucose levels fall between these two ranges, you will most likely be diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
But being diagnosed with pre-diabetes is not a sign that you will eventually get diabetes. But it is a warning sign. and it does indicate that you should probably begin to watch your lifestyle. A lot of people after being diagnosed with pre-diabetes make lifestyle changes and never experience the disease.
Diagnosis of diabetes is easy today, but it use to be trickier. A diagnosis of diabetes means that you have a high percentage of glucose in the bloodstream. Over the years, however, standards have changed over the year. And levels of blood glucose that in the past were not considered diabetic are now considered diabetic. Today, the American Diabetes Association has set the threshold to be a blood glucose level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) when the patient is given the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.
However, one test is not enough. You need to have multiple diabetes tests before you can be 100% confirmed as having diabetes. That’s because a diabetes test can give you a false positive.
Many of the complications from diabetes result from the body being unable to process the glucose that’s in the body. If the body can’t process glucose, the cells can’t get nutrients. The result is often a feeling of tiredness and listlessness. The reason for the body being unable to process glucose is often a deficit of insulin in the body.
Insulin is the magic hormone that breaks down glucose into glycogen, a form of fuel that can be stored in the body as fat and used when needed. Insulin also is the magical chemical that changes the structure of the body’s cells so that they can accept nutrients.
