Diabetes: The silent disease often discovered only through routine blood tests

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in which glucose is both underutilized as an energy source and overproduced and the blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal because the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively

- DR. RAMESH KUMAR

The diagnosis of diabetes is performed by demonstrating increased concentrations of glucose in venous plasma or increased A1C in the blood. In many cases, it is first diagnosed during a routine health check, perhaps for employment, insurance, or even while investigating a minor illness. To diagnose it, doctors usually check fasting blood sugar (FBS) and post-meal blood sugar (PPBS) levels, sometimes along with HbAlc, which gives an average of blood sugar control over the past three months.

HOW DIABETES DEVELOPS SILENTLY

The most common form, Type 2 diabetes, develops gradually. In the early stages, the body becomes resistant to insulin, the hormone that helps move glucose into cells for energy. In response, the pancreas works overtime to produce more insulin. For a while, this keeps blood sugar levels under control. But as the pancreas begins to tire, sugar levels start to rise slowly. This happens so gradually that most people feel completely normal. By the time symptoms become noticeable, diabetes may already be well-established.

SUBTLE SIGNS OFTEN IGNORED