Understanding Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms and Management

By Kim Allarie

Diabetes mellitus, also known simply as diabetes, is becoming more rampant in the United States. People of all racial backgrounds and economic status can be impacted by it. Though it may be difficult for someone to hear a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, it is important to remember that there are many alternatives to aid in the management of this disorder.

Diabetes mellitus is a health situation that happens due to increased glucose concentration in the blood, typically referred as elevated blood sugar levels. Your body usually maintains a regular blood glucose level through numerous different hormones and chemicals. The pancreas, which produces the hormone insulin, is the most crucial factor in this. Problems in the pancreas can put a halt to the production of the required quantities of insulin, or cause your body to use it improperly. This situation can result in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes can also be a result of your body developing a resistance to the effects of insulin.

Regardless, diabetes mellitus can lead to hyperglycemia, a condition which results in many of the more noticeable symptoms. These include excessive thirst, more frequent urination, rapid weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue and metabolic changes. The harshest results include ketoacidosis, which results in throwing up, fainting, nausea, hypoglycemia, and the risk of going into a coma as an outcome of a blood glucose imbalance. Diabetes may lead to lasting health problems like an increased chance of heart problems, kidney dysfunction, gangrene, damage to sensory nerves, and even retinal damage which may lead to blindness.

The good news is, it is possible to manage diabetes mellitus quite successfully by injecting insulin directly into the bloodstream. Individuals with diabetes have to check their blood glucose levels on an ongoing basis, and generally carry a portable meter around with them that lets them do this by testing a drop of blood. When you notice a reading showing that blood sugar levels have varied from normal, you'll take an insulin injection to correct the problem.

There are different types of diabetes, not merely a single condition. Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas stop working satisfactorily. Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. It is possible for people who are in outstanding health to have difficulties with this condition.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is quite different from type 1, and also more common. This condition is normally related to being overweight, having bad eating habits and an inactive lifestyle. The system starts to create less insulin, and at the same time becomes more resistant to it. Symptoms are usually quite mild and the first line of treatment is to make changes to your lifestyle. Gestational diabetes is related to this as well. It might develop throughout pregnancy, but it normally disappears once the baby is born. - 29887

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