Diagnosis Your healthcare professional will start by asking about your medical history, reviewing any medicines you are currently taking, and conducting a physical examination. To identify the cause of diarrhea, several diagnostic tests may be recommended. Common diagnostic tests include: Blood tests: These may include a complete blood count, electrolyte measurement, and kidney function tests to determine the severity of …
Diaper Rash
Diagnosis Diaper rash is usually diagnosed by looking at the baby’s skin and asking about recent diapering, feeding and cleaning habits. A health care provider will check the rash’s appearance — whether it’s just in the diaper area, involves skin folds, has blisters or pus, or looks like bright red patches with defined edges — and ask about symptoms such …
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diagnosis Diabetic retinopathy is often diagnosed with a dilated eye exam. During this exam, an eye care professional places drops in your eyes to widen the pupils. This allows a clearer view of the internal structures of the eyes. The drops may cause blurred near vision for several hours after the test. During the eye exam, the specialist looks for …
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diagnosis Diabetic neuropathy is diagnosed through a physical exam, a review of symptoms, and a medical history evaluation. During the examination, healthcare professionals assess muscle strength, tone, and reflexes, as well as how sensitive the body is to touch, temperature, pain, and vibration. Additional tests help confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of nerve damage: Filament testing: A soft …
Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney Disease)
Diagnosis Diabetic nephropathy is typically diagnosed during routine diabetes management checkups. People with type 2 diabetes should get tested every year, and those with type 1 diabetes should begin annual testing five years after diagnosis. Routine tests used for diagnosis include: Urinary albumin test: Detects the presence of albumin, a protein that should not appear in the urine if kidneys …
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diagnosis A physical exam and blood tests are key to diagnosing diabetic ketoacidosis. In some cases, additional tests are done to identify the underlying cause. Blood testsBlood tests help confirm diabetic ketoacidosis and assess its severity by measuring: Blood sugar level – When insulin is insufficient, sugar cannot enter the cells, causing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). As the body breaks …
Diabetic Hypoglycemia
Diagnosis If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, the first step is to check your blood sugar level using a blood glucose meter. This small device measures and displays your current blood sugar reading. For many people, hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), though the exact number can vary. It’s important to discuss your …
Diabetic Coma
Diagnosis If a person experiences a diabetic coma, it is crucial that diagnosis happens immediately. The emergency medical team will perform a physical examination and may ask bystanders about the patient’s medical history. Wearing a medical identification bracelet or necklace can help identify diabetes quickly. At the hospital, several lab tests are usually performed to confirm the diagnosis and identify …
Type 2 Diabetes in Children
Diagnosis If diabetes is suspected, your child’s health care provider will usually recommend a screening test. Several blood tests can be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes in children. Tests commonly used include: Random blood sugar test: A blood sample is taken at any time, regardless of when your child last ate. A blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per …
Type 2 Diabetes
Diagnosis The glycated hemoglobin test most often diagnoses type 2 diabetes. Also called the A1C test, it reflects the average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Results mean the following: • Below 5.7% is healthy• 5.7% to 6.4% is prediabetes• 6.5% or higher on two separate tests means diabetes If there are no A1C tests or …








