Screening for Diabetes: A Focus On Full Body Health Checkups

Diabetes is a highly prevalent health condition that can affect people of all ages. According to reports around 10.5% of adults aged 20-79 have diabetes, and almost half of them don't know they have it. By 2045, approximately 1 in 8 adults, or around 783 million people, are expected to have diabetes, marking a 46% increase from the current number. 

The risks of diabetes are well known to everyone. It’s crucial to detect this condition early on to avoid serious problems later, and the best way to do so is by going for regular full-body checkups. Full-body health checkups include physical examinations and preventive care. Preventive care includes screening tests such as blood tests to find diseases like diabetes early when they're easier to treat. Therefore, these tests should be undertaken on a routine basis and not just for when you're sick or hurt.  

Understanding Diabetes Screening 

Diabetes arises from insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin usage, leading to high blood sugar levels. It's typically chronic but manageable with medication and lifestyle changes.  Various types of diabetes exist, with the most common forms being  

• Type 1 diabetes: Autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. Usually diagnosed in children and young adults. 
• Type 2 diabetes: The body doesn't make enough insulin or cells don't respond properly to insulin. Mainly affects adults, but children can also get it. 
• Prediabetes: Blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. 
• Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy, often resolves after childbirth, but increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes later on. 

If high blood sugar isn't treated, it can harm blood vessels, nerves and other organs, causing many problems. So, catching and treating diabetes early can lower these risks. Regular full body checkups and screenings are important to detect diabetes even when no major symptoms are present. Early detection helps doctors start treatment quickly to keep blood sugar levels in check and lower the chances of problems like heart disease, kidney issues, nerve damage, and eye problems.  Additionally, early diabetes detection also encourages affected individuals to make positive lifestyle changes, which can help better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

Comprehensive Diabetes Screening in Full Body Checkups 

A full body check-up is a complete health check that's important for everyone, no matter their age. During this check-up, doctors look at your whole body to identify early signs of various diseases. These checkups typically involve multiple tests and evaluations to detect any potential health issues or their risk factors at an early stage.

Doctors use different tests to check for prediabetes, diabetes and diabetes-related complications. The tests you get depend on whether you already have diabetes, have diabetes-related symptoms or risk factors, or not. Some common components tests done during diabetes screening include: 

• Fasting plasma glucose test: Measures blood glucose levels following an 8-hour fast. 
• HbA1C test: Offers the average blood glucose levels spanning three months. 
• Random plasma glucose test: Done without fasting when diabetes symptoms are present. 
• Glucose challenge test: Used for gestational diabetes screening; blood taken 1 hour after drinking a sweet liquid. 
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Measures glucose levels before and after consuming a sugary drink, used for diagnosing type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. 

• Urine tests: Urinalysis helps detect early signs of diabetes by measuring glucose levels and identifying potential kidney damage, a common complication of diabetes.
• Liver and kidney tests: Liver and kidney function tests are crucial for detecting diabetes-related complications, as diabetes can affect these organs over time, leading to serious health issues if left untreated.
• Lipid profile: Lipid profile tests assess cholesterol levels, which, when abnormal, can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications in individuals with diabetes.

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Key Indicators Checked in Full Body Health Checkups 

Your doctor can find out if you have diabetes by using blood tests. These tests check if your blood sugar level is too high and also tell which type of diabetes you have. Some factors that can indicate you have diabetes are: 

• Blood glucose levels: A fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or less is normal. If it's between 100 to 125 mg/dL, it means you have prediabetes, and if it's 126 mg/dL or higher, it means you have diabetes. Though the normal postprandial glucose level varies with age, that below 140 mg/dL for individuals without diabetes and below 180 mg/dL for those with diabetes are considered normal.
• HbA1c: If your HbA1c result is 6.5% or higher, it indicates a diagnosis of diabetes.
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• Lipid Profile: For men, the recommended HDL cholesterol level is 45 mg/dL, and for women, it's 55 mg/dL if they have diabetes.

Benefits of Early Diabetes Detection 

Screening for diseases like diabetes is useful as finding them early helps improve outcomes. Early detection of diabetes aids in timely management that can help prevent or delay complications, such as cardiovascular and microvascular diseases. Additionally, detecting diabetes complications such as diabetic kidney disease early and managing them promptly can help improve treatment outcomes. 

Also, for individuals detected with prediabetes, there is a heightened risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes. However, taking proactive steps and seeking early intervention can mitigate these risks and ensure better health outcomes in the long run. A few simple lifestyle changes you can adapt to lower your risk of diabetes are: 

• Losing weight: Losing weight is a powerful way to prevent diabetes, especially type 2. The United States Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) found that shedding just 7% of body weight over 24 weeks led to a significant 58% decrease in diabetes risk.
• Physical activity: Regular exercise reduces diabetes risk. The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study showed a 58% lower incidence with just 30 minutes of daily activity. Exercise also lowers fasting blood glucose levels by increasing glucose uptake in active muscles.
• Better diet: Dietary changes like following the Mediterranean or DASH diets not only lower diabetes risk but also enhance cardiovascular health. Vegetarian diets are linked to lower rates of diabetes.
• Other lifestyle factors like smoking, prolonged sitting, poor sleep, and stress also increase diabetes risk, regardless of age, activity level, or weight. Smoking raises diabetes risk by 44%, while excessive TV watching and sleep disturbances also contribute to higher risk. Psychosocial stress predicts diabetes in men and abnormal glucose metabolism in women. Hence keeping a check on these helps in preventing diabetes.

Introduction to Health Checkup Packages 

With an increased risk of diabetes among individuals, timely testing becomes essential for maintaining overall health. Orange Health Labs offers a comprehensive diabetes care package designed to assess all vital parameters. Our Diabetes Care Package includes essential tests like Lipid Profile, Fasting Glucose (FBS), Post Prandial Glucose (PPBS), Liver Function Test with GGT, Advanced Kidney Function Test, Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio and Urine test. Our convenient at-home sample collection for these tests ensures a stress-free experience for you, aiding in the monitoring and management of diabetes. By availing of our package, you can stay proactive about your health and ensure that your condition is effectively managed. So, don't delay - prioritize your health by taking advantage of our Diabetes care package today!

Conclusion: 

Diabetes poses a significant health risk globally, impacting millions, many of whom remain undiagnosed. Timely detection through routine full-body checkups is essential to prevent diabetes-related complications, including cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Emphasizing lifestyle adjustments and availing regular health checkups such as Orange Health's comprehensive screening packages are essential for effective diabetes management and overall health maintenance.