|
|
Information Kit - Diagnosis and Complications
Diabetes is diagnosed by means of
a blood test measuring blood
sugar and is administered by a
physician or health care provider.
Blood glucose levels vary with
food intake, so the timing of this
test in relation to meals is
important. To help ensure that
blood glucose readings are as
accurate as possible, the test is
classified in the following manner:
- a casual plasma glucose: means the measurement is taken without regard to the time of the last meal;
- a fasting plasma glucose (FPG): means the blood sugar measurement is taken when the person has not eaten for at least 8 hours;
- the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): means that the person fasts for at least 8 hours, is then given a 75 g glucose load, and the blood sugars are measured at 1 and/or 2 hour intervals after the load.
Long-term Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes is a major cause of other diseases or chronic conditions. These include:
- cardiovascular (heart) disease and stroke,
- high blood pressure
- lower-limb amputations
- retinopathy (blindness)
- kidney disease
- nervous system disorders
- pregnancy complications
- other (influenza, pneumonia, etc.)
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right
of Canada, (2002)
ISBN 0-662-66548-1
Cat. No. H39-620/2002-6
|
