What Is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases that affects the body’s ability to properly use the foods we eat (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) resulting in high levels of glucose/sugar in the blood.

Diabetes Key Points:

* All starchy foods (pastas, rice, potatoes, cereals, sugar, breads, milk, etc.), fruits, grains, and vegetables turn to glucose/sugar once they are digested and absorbed into the blood stream.
* This is good because glucose/sugar is what the body uses for energy or “fuel”.
* This “fuel” however, needs to enter the individual cells of the body in order for human beings to live and function properly.
* In order for the glucose/sugar to enter the cells, a hormone called insulin must attach to specific areas of the cell wall. These areas are called receptors. Insulin acts like a “key” which opens the cells so glucose/sugar can go in.
* Insulin is produced by the pancreas and released into the blood stream in response to elevations in the blood glucose/sugar level.
* When there is a shortage of insulin, or the insulin produced is not working properly, blood glucose/sugar goes up and one is said to have diabetes mellitus.
* Normal blood glucose/sugar level is between 70-110 mg/dL.

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus :

* Frequent urination (polyurea)
* Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
* Excessive hunger (polyphasia)
* Fatigue or tiredness
* Blurry vision
* Frequent yeast infections
* Rapid weight loss
* Abdominal pain
* Nausea and vomiting
* Lethargy
* Fruity odor to the breath

This entry was posted on July 29, 2010 at July 29, 2010 and is filed under Diabetes Mellitus.