The “diabetes guidelines” are a set of criteria that are used to diagnose diabetes mellitus. In the current diabetes guidelines, 3 different criteria should be met before a diagnosis is made in a patient. Displaying the symptoms of diabetes mellitus is enough to get the tests going, usually. Once glucose tests are performed, then certain glucose levels will need to be observed before the diagnosis can be made.
These blood tests and symptoms are mostly the same regardless of what type of diabetes you may have. There are three common forms of diabetes. The most common is Type II diabetes, which affects many millions of Americans. Once called “adult onset diabetes,” Type II diabetes can actually develop at any point in a person’s life, and is becoming more and more common among children. When you have Type II diabetes, your pancreas is producing insulin, but your body is unable to process it or respond to it correctly. This is treated with changes to diet and lifestyle and sometimes with medications.
Type I diabetes is different. It is considered an autoimmune disease because the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas, resulting in the pancreas losing its ability to produce insulin. This is treated with insulin injections or insulin pumps. The third common type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is seen in pregnant women that do not otherwise have diabetes. It usually subsides after the baby is born, but leaves the women at increased risk for developing Type II diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is usually treated with diet and exercise plans, but if it is severe enough, medication may be necessary. If you suspect you may have diabetes, then your doctor will use the diabetes guidelines and criteria to determine and diagnose you.