Tips for Diabetes testing and its prevention

Diabetes is a common diseases nowadays in our society. Often it comes to our mind that — what are the major tests performed to screen, monitor and diagnose the disease, or if there any other tests that might get missed. Following are the list of diagnostic test usually performed to scree, diagnose and monitor Diabetes.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) for detection of new diabetes patient
• Blood sugar: fasting, random, 2 hours after breakfast/lunch/dinner
• HbA1c: monitors sugar control for last 3 months
• Microalbumin, 24 hours Urinary Total Protein (UTP) with Albumin-Globulin (AG) ratio to detect protein loss in urine
• Creatinine Clearance Rate (CCR), Serum Creatinine and Urea to test kidney function
• Urine: routine and microscopy examination
Preventive measures
• Adequate physical activity including walking, physical exercise, swimming
• Diet control; adequate balanced diet as per BMI. Restrict carbohydrate, protein, fat and take more fresh vegetables, sour fruits, fiber rich food, sea food and fish
• Avoid red meat, junk food, fast food and soft drinks, tinned food
• Avoid junk foods, soft drinks and drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juice
• Avoid mental and physical stress
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
• Take more fresh fruits, vegetables and high fiber diet
• Control obesity and lipid profile
• Periodic checkup by physicians
• Live controlled life by following social, family, religious values

The writer is the Vice Principal and Professor of Pathology, Anwer Khan Modern Medical College, Dhaka. E-mail:[email protected]