Diabetic Screening
Diabetes Screening with Gulf Coast Health Center
Diabetes affects an individual’s ability to use insulin to process sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream into energy. Excess sugar in the blood stream damages the kidneys, eyes, liver and heart. Two types of diabetes exist: type 1 and type 2. Individuals born with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Individuals who develop diabetes later in life have type 2 diabetes. If left untreated and unmanaged, either type hinders a person’s ability to live a normal life, stay healthy and can even be life-threatening.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
The exact cause of diabetes is not known. Diet and activity level, however, affect an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Other risk factors such as age, race and family history can also contribute to an individual’s risk level. If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you should consider scheduling an appointment for a diabetes screening.
- Fatigue
- Hunger and Excessive Thirst
- Frequent Urination
- Itchy Skin
- Dry Mouth
- Blurred Vision
Diagnosis and Diabetic Screening
If a patient is considered at risk and/or displays any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, a doctor might recommend further testing. Our doctors use a fasting blood test to make a definitive diabetes diagnosis. A fasting diabetes blood test measures the blood sugar levels in a patient’s bloodstream after a nine to twelve-hour period without eating. The blood glucose levels revealed by this test allows the doctor to categorize a patient’s blood sugar levels as normal, pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Why Diabetic Eye Care Is Essential: Specialized Eye Exams for Patients with Diabetes
Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing several eye conditions, including:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
Diabetic eye exams are designed to screen for these diseases to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
Schedule an Appointment with a Gulf Coast Health Center Doctor Today
If you have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes or are experiencing any signs or symptoms of diabetes, we encourage you to schedule a diabetes screening and/or diabetic eye exam right away. Gulf Coast Health Center is entirely equipped and staffed with highly trained and experienced healthcare professionals to effectively diagnose and treat individuals with diabetes. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services for patients living with diabetes, we welcome you to contact any one of our five convenient locations today.
