What Is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus, also known as simply diabetes, is an illness that results in high blood sugar due to low levels of insulin. The level of glucose or sugar in the blood is normally controlled by insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. When a meal is eaten that has high levels of carbohydrates the sugar level in the blood rises. The pancreas will produce and release insulin to bring the sugar levels back to normal. In diabetes mellitus insufficient insulin is produced to normalize blood sugar level.
Diabetes mellitus has several distinctive symptoms:
· Poluria-excessive urination is due to abnormally elevated blood sugar levels.
· Polydipsia-excessive thirst due to excessive urination to compensate for the larger fluid loss.
· Blurry vision because high glucose levels in the blood effect the eye’s ability to see clearly
· Weight loss due the body’s use of muscle and fat tissue for energy to replace glucose.
· Lethargy due to weight loss
· Slow wound healing.
· Neuropathy or tingling and numbness in the extremities.
Types Of Diabetes
There are 3 types of diabetes mellitus: gestational diabetes, type 1 and type 2. While each has a different cause they all result in insufficient insulin production.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes also called juvenile diabetes occurs in children. It is an autoimmune disorder that results in the total destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas. As a result there is almost no insulin production. Patients with this type of diabetes mellitus always need replacement insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults but is being seen more and more in obese children. This type of diabetes is caused the body’s resistance to insulin. As a result, the body requires a high level of insulin. Unfortunately the pancreas cannot meet the increased insulin demands of the body.
Gestational Diabetes
In gestational diabetes, hormones released during pregnancy cause insulin resistance. Many times the diabetes disappears after the birth of the baby. If not treated it can result in harm to the baby’s skeleton and organs or possible fetal death.
While type 1 diabetes must be treated with insulin, type 2 and gestational can possibly be treated with only diet and exercise. However that is a decision your doctor and you must make together.
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