Diabetes Mellitus: Causes and Symptoms

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body either fails to produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to insulin. This can lead to an increase in glucose levels in the blood, setting off a number of damaging and dangerous symptoms. Diabetes mellitus may be diagnosed through blood tests, urine tests, or a fasting plasma glucose test. Treatment for diabetes mellitus revolves around managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication. Is it time for you to find out if you have diabetes? Read on for some helpful information about what causes diabetes mellitus and how you can prevent it from happening to you!

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body either fails to produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to insulin. This can lead to an increase in glucose levels in the blood, setting off a number of damaging and dangerous symptoms. Diabetes mellitus may be diagnosed through blood tests, urine tests, or a fasting plasma glucose test. Treatment for diabetes mellitus revolves around managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication.

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the immune system destroying the beta cells of the pancreas. These cells produce insulin, so when they are destroyed, there is a decrease in insulin production from the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes mellitus stems from either genetics or lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of exercise. In these cases, an individual becomes resistant to insulin, which causes an increase in glucose levels in the blood.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

It can be detected through a number of different methods. However, the most accurate way to detect diabetes is by checking your blood sugar levels. Diabetes will typically cause two symptoms: high glucose levels and polyuria.

High glucose levels can lead to increased thirst and urination--polyuria. This means you'll find yourself drinking more liquids, but it won't help with your thirst. The reason for this is because when our bodies are exposed to high glucose levels, they produce hormones that increase the urge to drink water. We call this polydipsia or polyuria.

Besides these two major symptoms, there are other signs that may indicate you have diabetes mellitus as well: unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, tingling in the feet or hands, slow healing wounds or excessive fatigue.

Diabetes mellitus is an issue that needs to be taken seriously and treated as soon as possible! You don't have to wait until you experience some of these symptoms before you get checked out--find out now if you're at risk!

Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus

It may be diagnosed through a blood test, urine test, or fasting plasma glucose test. All of these tests are designed to measure the amount of glucose in your bloodstream so that if you have diabetes, it can be confirmed.

Treatment Options for Diabetes Mellitus

If you have diabetes mellitus, there are a number of treatment options available. These may include adjusting your diet, exercising, and taking medication. However, if you find yourself experiencing some of the more dangerous symptoms of diabetes mellitus, like blurred vision or loss of coordination, it's time to seek immediate medical attention. Initial treatment for diabetes mellitus should follow the same protocol as that for Type 2 diabetes:

-Manage your blood sugar levels through diet and exercise

-Take medications to manage blood sugar levels if necessary

-Monitor your blood glucose levels with a meter periodically

-Undergo an A1C test annually to measure average glucose over the past three months

-Have a lipid profile test annually

-Get eye exams every year or two to check for diabetic retinopathy

Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus

The best way to prevent diabetes mellitus is to maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, and eat a nutritious diet. It's important for you to understand the symptoms of diabetes mellitus and how it can affect your health. If left untreated, diabetes mellitus can lead to many other conditions including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage.