(1) Tes-Tape (Glucose Enzymatic Test Strip). Tes-Tape measures the
presence of glucose in the urine. Shades in the color of the strip after it has been
dipped in urine can be compared with colors printed on the package. Each color
corresponds to a known concentration of glucose in urine. Although Tes-Tape results
are not as precise as those which can be obtained in a laboratory, the tester can obtain
a general idea of how much glucose is present in the urine. Such information can be
valuable to the physician.
(2) Dextrostix (reagent strips). Dextrostix is a product that is used to
determine the level of glucose in the blood. Fingertip or venous blood is applied to the
strip. Later, the color of the strip is compared to colors on the package label. Each
color corresponds to a particular level of glucose in the blood.
(3) N-Multistix (reagent strips). N-Multistix is a product used for the
determination of protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, occult blood, urobilinogen, and
nitrite in the urine.
(4) Diastix (reagent strips). Diastrix is a product that is used in the
determination of glucose in the urine. Color comparison charts show the level of
glucose.
(5) Keto-Diastix (reagent strips). Keto-Diastix is a product used in the
determination of ketones and glucose in the urine. Color comparison charts show the
level of glucose and ketones in the urine.
(6) DextrometerTM (reflectance colorimeter with digital display). This product
is a machine that can be used with Dextrostix reagent strips to determine precisely the
level of glucose in the blood. The readings from the machine help the person to monitor
their diet and insulin intake to a greater degree.
10-8. TYPES OF DIABETES MELLITUS
There are two basic types of diabetes mellitus: juvenile-onset and maturity-onset.
Both these types of diabetes are thought to occur in persons who have inherited a
predisposition to the condition. It is thought, also, that juvenile-onset diabetes is
initiated by viral infections of a certain kind (like German measles and mumps).
Remember, the type of diabetes does not depend on the age of the patient.
a. Type I Diabetes Mellitus (Juvenile-Onset Diabetes) (Acute-Onset
Diabetes). Juvenile-onset diabetes results from an insufficient secretion of insulin from
the pancreas. This type of diabetes begins suddenly (i.e., acute onset). Furthermore,
the symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus appear quite suddenly in juvenile-onset
diabetes. Persons who have juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus must use insulin injections
to control the diabetes.
MD0807
10-6
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