Diabetes Mellitus is a medical condition in which your
body does not produce insulin or does not use it properly. Insulin is a
hormone produced by the human body that converts starch, sugar, and
other foods into energy. Without insulin, your body has no way to
control your sugar levels. An excess of insulin can have equally
devastating results, which is why it is so important for people with
diabetes to seek medical help and to keep a close eye on their blood
sugar through diet and monitoring.
When you learn that you may have diabetes mellitus or
that you are at risk, you may wonder what causes the condition or how
it develops. Doctors are not entirely sure what causes all cases of
diabetes, though genetics, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are all
factors that are known to play a role. It is estimated that 7.8% of the
United States population has the disease and that approximately one
quarter of those patients are still undiagnosed.
If your doctor suspects that you may have diabetes
mellitus, he or she will likely order a glucose or blood sugar test.
The blood sugar in your plasma may be tested after a period of fasting.
Either test can be quite effective, and can diagnose both diabetes and
pre-diabetes. The plasma test, which is easier and faster to perform,
involves blood testing after a period without food or beverages, while
the oral tolerance test measures your blood glucose in intervals before
and after drinking a glucose rich beverage.
There are four general types of diabetes mellitus.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and is often type 2. The
body stores insulin and does not process glucose properly. When
treated, it usually has no adverse effects on you or your baby and
disappears after pregnancy, but treatment is imperative.
Type 1 diabetes is the most dangerous form of the
disease. It is caused when your body stops producing insulin and
usually occurs in children and young adults. It can have many
complications and requires treatment. While the disease is scary, with
treatment, you can live a long and healthy life.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is caused when the body
produces insufficient insulin or simply ignores it. This can result in
the buildup of glucose in the blood. Treatment is available, and
consistently high glucose levels can have many effects. Pre-diabetes
occurs when glucose levels are higher than normal but out of range of
diabetes diagnosis. This condition serves as a warning sign for
patients to make lifestyle changes.
Once you know more about diabetes mellitus, you can take
steps to prevent or treat it. Diabetes mellitus can be a serious
medical condition. If you are at risk, talk to your doctor and try to
live a healthier lifestyle. Even the smallest changes can have a
tremendous impact.
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