Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, involves a protein hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle and fat tissues to take glucose out of the blood. Insulin deficiencies cause elevated blood sugar, which can be deleterious on the body. Diabetes can be divided into type I diabetes ("insulin dependent diabetes" in which the pancreas is attacked by the immune system) and type II ("insulin independent" diabetes, marked by resistance to insulin) types.
Symptoms
Both type I and type II diabetes cause similar symptoms. Many diabetics experience extreme thirst and frequent urination as a result of high blood sugar. Others may experience fatigue, sudden weight loss and extreme hunger, and blurred vision. Patients with these symptoms may be evaluated for diabetes.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of diabetes generally involves one (or both) of two different blood tests. Doctors commonly evaluate patients' blood glucose levels to see if they are elevated. One variation of this test is called a glucose tolerance test, in which the physician gives the patient a small amount of glucose and then measures blood sugar levels shortly thereafter. Because blood sugar can vary depending on the patient's health and food intake, doctors may also assay the patients hemoglobin A1c levels, which provides an indication of the average blood sugar over several months. Patients with high A1c levels are considered to be diabetic or "prediabetic," which indicates that their blood sugar has been high but not yet high enough to be called diabetes.
Insulin Injections
One way of treating diabetes is through the administration of synthetic insulin. This is especially critical for patients with type I diabetes because their insulin production is low and may be nearly absent. Because insulin cannot be taken orally and because it has its effects in the blood, insulin needs to be injected, either through shots or via a pump that gives a steady (but adjustable) amount of insulin over time.
Oral Medications
There are many medications that can be given to treat diabetes, especially type II diabetes. Some of these medications stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, which can help lower blood sugar. Others sensitize the liver, muscle and fat cells to the effects of insulin, causing the insulin that is produced by the pancreas to have a greater effect.
Lifestyle Changes
Diabetes can also be controlled via lifestyle changes. Obesity and physical inactivity can cause patients to develop type II diabetes. As a result, losing weight through diet and exercise can help return blood glucose levels to normal and prevent diabetic complications (such as circulatory problems and cardiovascular disease). A diet that is filled with foods with a lower glycemic index (a measure of the effects that a serving of food has on blood glucose) can also keep blood glucose levels normal.
