Important Information on Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is what people outside the medical world call simply as diabetes. The term diabetes was first coined by Aretaeus (81–133 CE) and comes from the Greek word ‘diabaínein’ meaning passing through which is a reference to diabetic’s frequent urination.  The word, mellitus was added in 1675 and comes from the Greek word ‘mel’ meaning sweet, referring to a diabetic’s sweet urine.

Diabetes mellitus is term that covers a set of medical conditions that is caused by an accumulation of high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. There are two ways to explain this buildup. First, the cells are no longer responding to the insulin. Second, the pancreas cannot produce sufficient amounts of insulin because it is under attack by the body’s own immune system.  Another manifestation of diabetes mellitus is that it was brought about by hormonal imbalance due to pregnancy.  Although there is no cure for all the different forms of diabetes mellitus, the condition is treatable since insulin became medically available ever since 1921.

Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 1, also called as juvenile diabetes, results from the attacks made by immune system on the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.  It is not known why causes the disorder; however, symptoms are easy to detect: frequent urination, constant hunger and thirst, and sudden unexplainable loss of weight.  Type 1 diabetes is fatal unless treated with insulin through injections, pumps, and inhalers. Pancreas transplant is a procedure that is still in its experimental stages.

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 2, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, is a result of insulin resistance. Although a common notion is that this type diabetes comes with age paired with an unhealthy lifestyle, more and more children are being diagnosed with this form of diabetes as obesity rates continue to rise. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes; however, introducing exercise and a high-fiber, low-sugar diet can reverse the effects of the disease.

Gestational Diabetes

Women are quite susceptible to a form of diabetes mellitus, which develops during pregnancy.  Compared to the two other types, gestational diabetes has a few very noticeable symptoms and is only detected through screening when the woman gets pregnant. It is unknown what causes this type of diabetes mellitus, but it is theorized that the hormones produced during pregnancy causes the cells of the body to resist the effects of insulin. The condition rarely needs insulin injections, and is treated with diet modifications and exercise.