Diabetes mellitus is the technical and medical term for what most people simply call “diabetes.” It is a disordered metabolism syndrome that results in abnormally high amounts of glucose in the blood stream. These glucose levels are often referred to as “blood sugar levels.” In a healthy, non diabetic person, glucose levels are controlled naturally in the body by a combination of hormones, the most important of which is insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas. Diabetes results when the body does not produce insulin at all, does not produce enough insulin, or does produce insulin, but the body itself is unable to process it or respond to it.
There are several different types of diabetes mellitus. Type One diabetes is sometimes called “juvenile onset diabetes.” With Type One diabetes, the pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin. This happens because the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. It is considered an autoimmune disorder and there is no cure for it. Type One diabetes is treated and controlled with insulin injections or an insulin pump.
Type Two diabetes is different in that the body is producing insulin but unable to process it or respond to it. This is the most common type of diabetes, and can develop at any point in a person’s life, though it is often referred to as “adult onset diabetes.” Type Two diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in children. Risk factors include being overweight or obese and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Type Two diabetes can often be managed with changes in diet and lifestyle. Eating a better, more balanced diet and incorporating more exercise can relieve many of the symptoms of Type Two diabetes. Early detection is important when it comes to diabetes, so if you are concerned, see your doctor today to get tested and avoid any of the long term complications that can arise from untreated diabetes mellitus.