The word diabetes is taken from the Greek word diabainein which literally means ‘passing through.’ This is in direct reference to excessive urination, a major symptom of diabetes. Mellitus, on the other hand, is from the Greek word mel meaning ‘honey’ and was added to diabetes when Thomas Willis noted that a diabetic’s blood and urine has a sweet taste as a result of too much sugar in both.
Diabetes mellitus is a medical disorder that is characterized by persistent high blood sugar levels as a result of defective insulin secretion. Diabetes is further classified into two forms, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both types can be treated through medicine or lifestyle changes. The main risks that come with having diabetes are cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal failure, retinal damage, nerve damage, and gangrene.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
Formerly known as juvenile onset diabetes, diabetes mellitus type 1 is marked by a decrease or the absence of insulin production in the body. This is commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents and leads to absolute insulin deficiency. When diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus type 1, the body destroys its beta cells in the pancreas, which, in turn, reduces insulin production. Diabetes mellitus type 1 is treated with insulin shots and lifestyle adjustments. Blood glucose levels must also be monitored carefully using blood test kits that may be used at home. Insulin may also be administered using insulin pumps that allow insulin infusion 24 hours a day in optimum levels.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Adult onset diabetes, or diabetes mellitus type 2 is more common than diabetes mellitus type 2 and is characterized by the body’s resistance to insulin. The symptoms related to type 2 diabetes may go unnoticed for years because they are quite mild and occur irregularly. Although type 2 diabetes is more complicated than type 1 diabetes, it is easier to treat. Type 2 diabetes may be managed by proper diet, weight reduction, proper exercise, and oral medication.
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Type 1 Diabetes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile onset diabetes are some of the other terms that refer to type 1 diabetes, a lifelong disease that marks insufficient insulin production for proper regulation of the body’s blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3 percent of all...
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Diabetes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Diabetes has acquired its name from the Greek word “siphon”. Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism and the endocrine system, and is a blood-related disease. It has two forms: Diabetes mellitus (from the Greek word for sugar) and Diabetes insipidus. The main causes of...
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Juvenile Diabetes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Juvenile diabetes is a chronic disorder caused by the body’s inability to manage sugar or glucose and store it properly to be used as fuel. When the body can’t efficiently break down glucose to be absorbed by the cells, it stays in the blood and...
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Diabetes Medications
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Diabetes medications are attempted when normal diabetic diet, weight loss and exercise fail to bring blood sugar to a normal range. They include oral drugs and hypodermal injections. Medication usually starts when the average blood glucose levels are greater than 150 mg/dl (8 mol). Diabetes...
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Diabetes FAQs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Diabetes is a disease that causes the blood glucose levels go above normal, i.e. above 80-120 mg/dl. The hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas keeps blood glucose level low. Diabetes occurs when your body either doesn’t make sufficient insulin or you lack the mechanism of...
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Feline Diabetes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Even cats are not spared from the dangers of diabetes. Feline diabetes is a complex yet common disorder in cats caused by insufficient insulin production or the cat’s inability to respond to insulin. Feline diabetes is very similar to diabetes and how it affects humans,...
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Diabetes Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Blood glucose control is managed by proper meal planning, weight loss and exercising. At times however, these actions are not adequate to bring blood glucose levels down to their normal range. Medication is in the form of oral pills and insulin shots. Blood glucose levels...
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Diabetes Supplies
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Diabetes is a lifelong disease and can affect any one at any age or time. For many years this was considered to be a life-threatening disease, as there was no remedy. With improvements in research many therapies have been developed. The first step in controlling...
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Diabetes Supplements
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Researchers have found that certain herbal products, vitamins and minerals can help in the treatment of diabetes. These products are commonly known as diabetes supplements. Many diabetes supplements assist in controlling diabetes by controlling blood glucose levels. Using them in conjunction with exercise and sensible...
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Symptoms of Diabetes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Diabetes is a disorder of the body’s sugar-regulation abilities. Most of the time it goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are not very clear. There are many symptoms, but they don’t appear in all cases. The symptoms include frequent urination (polyuria), which occurs because of the...