Ever since I was a child, I have always loved being with my grandmother. That winter, my grandmother unfortunately broke her leg, and life became extremely difficult. She couldn't move around and going to the toilet became a big problem. The family has placed a urine bucket next to her bed so that she can more easily meet her physiological needs.
One day, I stumbled upon a scene that I couldn't believe. Grandma took some of her own urine with a bowl and tasted it. I was both surprised and confused, and couldn't help but ask her, "Grandma, why are you drinking your own urine?" Grandma replied softly, "I have diabetes and I'm taking my blood sugar." ”
I felt a wave of nausea and subconsciously took a few steps back. Since then, I have become shy away from the food my grandmother has eaten, and I don't even want to touch anything she touches.
1. Sugar in the urine
Under normal circumstances, the body's urine is filtered from the blood by the kidneys, and its main components include water, urea, uric acid, creatinine, and various electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, chloride, etc.). Normally, healthy people's urine contains little or no sugar because the kidneys are efficient at reabsorbing glucose from the urine.
In people with diabetes, the amount of sugar in the urine is different. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, which occurs mainly due to insufficient insulin secretion (type 1 diabetes) or impaired insulin action (type 2 diabetes). When blood sugar levels rise, exceeding the kidneys' ability to reabsorb glucose (kidney threshold), excess glucose is excreted from the body and appears in the urine. This condition is called "glycosuria".
The occurrence of diabetes is closely related to blood glucose levels. Normally, the glomeruli filter glucose from the blood into the primary urine and then reabsorb this glucose back into the bloodstream through the tubules' reabsorption mechanism. When blood glucose levels are too high, the tubules' ability to reabsorb glucose reaches a saturated state, making it impossible to fully reabsorb it, so excess glucose is excreted in the urine. This is the physiological mechanism of high glucose in the urine of diabetic patients.
2. The history and modern technology of urine glucose testing
The history of urine glucose testing can be traced back to ancient medicine, the most famous of which is the "urine tasting method". In ancient times, doctors discovered that the urine of diabetic patients had a sweet taste. This sweetness is due to the excess glucose in the urine. Therefore, in the absence of modern experimental techniques, doctors diagnose diabetes by experimenting with the taste of urine. Although this method is simple, it is clearly not scientific and carries health risks.
With the advancement of medicine, urine glucose testing methods have also been significantly improved. In the 20th century, the invention of urine test strips brought revolutionary changes to urine glucose testing. Urine test strips are a simple, fast, and no training required to use. Such test strips usually contain chemical agents that can react with glucose, and when urine drops onto the test strip, the color on the test strip changes depending on the concentration of glucose in the urine. By comparing the color change and the color comparison chart, you can roughly determine the amount of glucose in the urine.
Modern urine glucose testing technology is more advanced and accurate. In addition to traditional urine test strips, there are various electronic devices for urine glucose testing. These devices often provide more accurate readings and are able to record and track changes in a patient's urine glucose levels. Some urinalysis instruments can even detect multiple components in the urine at the same time, such as ketone bodies, proteins, etc., to provide more comprehensive information for the diagnosis and management of diabetes.
3. Management of diabetes mellitus
Diet control:
An ideal diet plan should include the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. To better control your blood sugar levels, choose fiber-rich carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits, and avoid foods that are high in sugar and overly processed. Protein and fat intake should focus on heart-healthy foods**, such as marine fish, nuts and olive oil.
Physical Exercise:
Regular physical activity is essential for people with diabetes. Not only does exercise help with weight control, but it also improves insulin sensitivity, which can help lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
Medications**:
For many people with diabetes, diet and exercise alone are often not enough to control blood sugar levels. In this case, the drug ** becomes necessary. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin for life. People with type 2 diabetes may need oral antidiabetic drugs and sometimes insulin. Medications** should be individualized to the specific situation of the patient.
Blood glucose and urine glucose monitoring:
Blood glucose monitoring is a core part of diabetes management. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels can help assess the effects and guide adjustments to your daily diet and exercise. Urine glucose testing can be used as an adjunct to glycemic control, especially if blood glucose monitoring is limited.
Prevention and management of complications:
Long-term complications of diabetes include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, eye lesions, etc. To prevent these complications, in addition to strict blood sugar control, regular comprehensive health check-ups are required, including monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, fundus examinations, foot examinations, etc. At the same time, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol are equally important to reduce the risk of complications.
Glucose in the urine of diabetic patients** is caused by an increase in blood sugar levels that prevent the kidneys from fully reabsorbing glucose. This phenomenon, known as diabetes, is one of the most important indicators in the diagnosis of diabetes.