Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst, and unexplained weight loss. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.

Definition

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

• Type 1 diabetes: In type 1 diabetes, your body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose for energy. Without insulin, glucose builds up in your blood.
• Type 2 diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, your body becomes resistant to insulin, and your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin to keep your blood sugar levels normal.

Anatomy and Physiology

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose for energy. Glucose is a type of sugar that comes from the foods you eat. When you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose, which is then released into your bloodstream. Insulin helps glucose get into your cells, where it can be used for energy.

If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin effectively. This causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage your organs and tissues, leading to serious health problems.

Etiology

The exact cause of diabetes is not fully understood, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes. It is caused by a combination of genetics, obesity, and physical inactivity. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Physical inactivity also increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Clinical Symptoms

The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on the type of diabetes you have and how well it is controlled. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often appear suddenly, while symptoms of type 2 diabetes may develop slowly over time.

Some of the common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Irritability
• Slow-healing skin infections

Diagnosis

If you have any of the symptoms of diabetes, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis. There are a number of tests that can be used to diagnose diabetes, including:

• A fasting blood sugar test: This test measures your blood sugar level after you have not eaten for 8-10 hours. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.
• An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): This test measures your blood sugar level after you have been given a sugary drink. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher two hours after the sugary drink indicates diabetes.
• A glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test: This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.