Many people believe that they need to be investigated only when they have any symptoms. Diabetes may cause complications by damaging the kidney, eyes, heart and the peripheral nerves.By the time complications like heart attack, kidney failure and loss of vision completely surfaces, it becomes difficult to reverse the condition to its normal state.So regular check-ups and screening for complications is very important in people with Diabetes, especially in people with uncontrolled blood glucose levels to prevent further damage. With regular screening, we can pick up early signs and can delay or prevent further damage. For example, in people with micro-albuminuria, drug therapy can prevent kidney failure if detected in the early stage.So the importance of screening is to detect complication at its early stage and prevention of its further progression also..Screening test checklistScreening tests for Diabetes complications include blood tests, urine test, foot examination, eye check-up and heart- related tests. These tests should be repeated frequently in all individuals who are at risk, but may be needed more frequently in people with pre-existing complications.ECG and blood pressure monitoringECG (Electrocardiography) is done to find out any heart rate and rhythm related abnormalities. It helps in detecting early signs of cardiac dysfunction.Heart attack is more common in people with Diabetes and so regular screening for changes in the heart health is important.Blood pressure is measured by a doctor with an instrument called sphygmomanometer (BP measuring apparatus) to detect hypertension.Hypertension is a blood pressure measurement in which the systolic (upper) blood pressure is at or above 140 and the diastolic (lower) blood pressure is at or above 90.Serum creatinine and estimated GFRA serum creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product that forms when creatine, a compound found in the muscles, breaks down.Creatinine levels in the blood can provide information to your doctor about how well your kidneys are functioning..*may be needed more frequently in people with known chronic kidney disease or with change in medication that affect kidney function and serum potassium.**in patients without lipid abnormalities and not on cholesterol lowering therapy, testing may be less frequent.#should be performed at every visit in patients with loss of sensations, foot ulcers and previous amputations..Lipid profileLipid profile is a blood test to measure the levels of different lipids in your blood. It includes total cholesterol, LDL (bad), HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. Ideally, this test should be done in a fasting state (i.e. without any food for 8 hours) inmorning hours.Abnormal lipids in the blood can get deposited in the blood vessels and can cause obstruction to the blood flow. Abnormal lipid levels can be treated with medications to prevent complications like heart disease. .Eye check-upAn ophthalmologist will examine the retina of your eye with the help of an instrument called ophthalmoscope, to detect any Diabetes-related changes. Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of uncontrolled Diabetes and can lead to loss of vision. This can be prevented if detected at an early stage.In people with Diabetes, this screening should be done at least once in a year but more frequent check-up will be required as per ophthalmologist in people who have retinopathy.Comprehensive foot examinationFoot examination is done to look for nerve damage and circulation in foot. It includes testing for condition of blood vessels of foot with testing of sensation and vibration perception.Uncontrolled Diabetes can cause loss of sensation of feet and abnormal circulation of blood which will lead to diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of foot. Such foot is at high risk of trauma leading to non-healing ulcers and amputations.Test should be performed at every visit in patients with loss of sensations, foot ulcers and previous amputations.To concludeMost of the complications of Diabetes, if detected at a pre-complication stage, can be treated with modern treatment modalities, so screening is very important. By getting checked each year, you'll be in the position to beat the threat of complications.Dr Ankur Sharma is a Consulting Diabetologist
Many people believe that they need to be investigated only when they have any symptoms. Diabetes may cause complications by damaging the kidney, eyes, heart and the peripheral nerves.By the time complications like heart attack, kidney failure and loss of vision completely surfaces, it becomes difficult to reverse the condition to its normal state.So regular check-ups and screening for complications is very important in people with Diabetes, especially in people with uncontrolled blood glucose levels to prevent further damage. With regular screening, we can pick up early signs and can delay or prevent further damage. For example, in people with micro-albuminuria, drug therapy can prevent kidney failure if detected in the early stage.So the importance of screening is to detect complication at its early stage and prevention of its further progression also..Screening test checklistScreening tests for Diabetes complications include blood tests, urine test, foot examination, eye check-up and heart- related tests. These tests should be repeated frequently in all individuals who are at risk, but may be needed more frequently in people with pre-existing complications.ECG and blood pressure monitoringECG (Electrocardiography) is done to find out any heart rate and rhythm related abnormalities. It helps in detecting early signs of cardiac dysfunction.Heart attack is more common in people with Diabetes and so regular screening for changes in the heart health is important.Blood pressure is measured by a doctor with an instrument called sphygmomanometer (BP measuring apparatus) to detect hypertension.Hypertension is a blood pressure measurement in which the systolic (upper) blood pressure is at or above 140 and the diastolic (lower) blood pressure is at or above 90.Serum creatinine and estimated GFRA serum creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product that forms when creatine, a compound found in the muscles, breaks down.Creatinine levels in the blood can provide information to your doctor about how well your kidneys are functioning..*may be needed more frequently in people with known chronic kidney disease or with change in medication that affect kidney function and serum potassium.**in patients without lipid abnormalities and not on cholesterol lowering therapy, testing may be less frequent.#should be performed at every visit in patients with loss of sensations, foot ulcers and previous amputations..Lipid profileLipid profile is a blood test to measure the levels of different lipids in your blood. It includes total cholesterol, LDL (bad), HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. Ideally, this test should be done in a fasting state (i.e. without any food for 8 hours) inmorning hours.Abnormal lipids in the blood can get deposited in the blood vessels and can cause obstruction to the blood flow. Abnormal lipid levels can be treated with medications to prevent complications like heart disease. .Eye check-upAn ophthalmologist will examine the retina of your eye with the help of an instrument called ophthalmoscope, to detect any Diabetes-related changes. Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of uncontrolled Diabetes and can lead to loss of vision. This can be prevented if detected at an early stage.In people with Diabetes, this screening should be done at least once in a year but more frequent check-up will be required as per ophthalmologist in people who have retinopathy.Comprehensive foot examinationFoot examination is done to look for nerve damage and circulation in foot. It includes testing for condition of blood vessels of foot with testing of sensation and vibration perception.Uncontrolled Diabetes can cause loss of sensation of feet and abnormal circulation of blood which will lead to diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of foot. Such foot is at high risk of trauma leading to non-healing ulcers and amputations.Test should be performed at every visit in patients with loss of sensations, foot ulcers and previous amputations.To concludeMost of the complications of Diabetes, if detected at a pre-complication stage, can be treated with modern treatment modalities, so screening is very important. By getting checked each year, you'll be in the position to beat the threat of complications.Dr Ankur Sharma is a Consulting Diabetologist
