Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus refers to a number of diseases that have in common elevated blood sugar levels.

Definitions

Diabetes is a disease defined as the body’s ability to produce or properly use the hormone insulin. Insulin converts sugar also know as glucose, as well as starches found in food into energy. There are many forms of diabetes (Pre-diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes) and thousands of undiagnosed people world-wide.

Management

Following diagnosis, a change in attitude and behaviour is required to ensure a healthy quality of life. The most important treatment with this disease as with any disease is to follow instruction from your health care provider, educate yourself and your family and friends and be proactive in your care and regime. For many people, being proactive before diagnosis, by exercising and watching what you eat, the probability of you acquiring the disease would have decreased. One of the things you can do to lower your risk is to lose weight if you are overweight. Become active, walk, or exercise regularly. Eat a well balanced diet of low fat meals. Even if you have been diagnosed with any form of diabetes exercise and watching what you eat can dramatically affect your quality of life.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia means low glucose in the blood. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia: Can include but not all have to be present shakiness, dizziness, hunger, headaches, sudden mood swings or behavior changes, jerky movements of muscles, and confusion.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia means high glucose in the blood. Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia: Can include but not all have to be present a very dry mouth with extreme thirst, nausea and vomiting and shortness of breath.

Etiologies

Natural History

Treatment

References

American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Myths. American Diabetes Association. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://www.diabetes.org.