Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus: is a condition in which the body either does not

produce enough, or does not properly respond to, insulin, a hormone
produced in the pancreas.

Signs and symptoms: The classical symptoms are polyuria and

polydipsia, which are, respectively, frequent urination and increased
thirst and consequent increased fluid intake. Symptoms may develop
quite rapidly (weeks or months) in type 1 diabetes, particularly in
children. However, in type 2 diabetes symptoms usually develop much
more slowly and may be subtle or completely absent. Type 1 diabetes
may also cause a rapid yet significant weight loss (despite normal or
even increased eating) and irreducible mental fatigue. All of these
symptoms except weight loss can also manifest in type 2 diabetes in
patients whose diabetes is poorly controlled, although unexplained
weight loss may be experienced at the onset of the disease. Final
diagnosis is made by measuring the blood glucose concentration.

Treatment: Diabetes mellitus is currently a chronic disease with no

cure. Medical emphasis must necessarily be on managing/avoiding
possible short-term as well as long-term diabetes-related problems.
There is an exceptionally important role for patient education, dietetic
support, sensible exercise, self monitoring of blood glucose, with the
goal of keeping both short-term and long-term blood glucose levels
within acceptable bounds. Careful control is needed to reduce the risk
of long term complications. This is theoretically achievable with
combinations of diet, exercise and weight loss (type 2), various oral
diabetic drugs (type 2 only), and insulin use (type 1 and for type 2 not
responding to oral medications, mostly those with extended duration
diabetes). In addition, given the associated higher risks of
cardiovascular disease, lifestyle modifications should be undertaken to
control blood pressure and cholesterol by exercising more, smoking
less or ideally not at all, consuming an appropriate diet, wearing diabetic
socks, wearing diabetic shoes, and if necessary, taking any of several
drugs to reduce blood pressure.