Diabetes mellitus is a condition that results in too much glucose in the blood due to the body's inability to produce enough insulin in the pancreas to absorb sugars. If untreated, diabetes causes ketoacidosis and electrolyte imbalances, which may lead to coma and death.

Types

Type I diabetes is an congenital autoimmune disease that gradually destroys the beta cells of Langerhans in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetics often develop the condition later in adult life. This type is often caused by lifestyle rather than genetics.

Cause

Type 1 diabetes is a polygenic disease and is inherited by the gene IDDM1, which is believed to be responsible for the destruction of the beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is often caused by obesity. A sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in refined sugars cause the body to become insulin-resistant.

Treatments

Type 1 diabetics require insulin replacement therapy, usually by insulin injection or insulin pump. Type 2 diabetics require regular exercise and a diet consisting of high fiber and high glycemic index carbohydrates to control blood sugars.

Prevention

There is no known cure or prevention for Type 1 diabetes. For Type 2, staying active and eating a diet low in saturated fat and refined sugars help prevent the disease from occurring.

Term Origin

Diabetes comes from Greek, meaning "to go," or "to pass through," in reference of the frequent urination observed by ancient physicians. Mellitus comes from the Latin word "mellis," meaning "honey," referring to the sweetness of the urine.

Source:

Human Physiology, 8th Edition; Stuart Ira Fox; 2004

Resource:

American Diabetes Association

The Many Words of Diabetes Mellitus; Stanley Aronson, MD; 2005