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The word diabetes is a Greek word that is defined as “crossing or passing through.” The word mellitus is a Latin word, which means “honey or sweet”. In modern English language, diabetes mellitus is known as excess of sweet urine production. Medically, diabetes mellitus refers to an abnormal amount of carbohydrate metabolism (break down of food) that glucose (sugar) cannot enter the body’s cells and be used. Thus, the glucose remains in the blood at level above normal. The excess sugar in the blood (hy­perglycemia), eventually leads to excretion of sugar in the urine (glycosuria), which result in the secretion of a large amount of urine (polyuria). This high amount of urine will cause dehydration (excessive thirst).After the food is broken down into glucose; the blood cells cannot convert glucose into energy, or have the ability to do work. Cells use insulin, a hormone that is made by beta cells in the pancreas. When the pan­creas does not make enough insulin or cells do not use insulin properly, the blood glucose cannot enter the appetite regulator cells (hypothalamus). As a result, starvation (hunger) is developed that causes a lot of polyphagia, or need for food. Even though the person eats lots of food, massive weight loss still develops because of excessive urination.

Types of Diabetes

•  Type I
• Type II
• Type III

Type I diabetes is known as insulin dependent dia­betes (INMD) or onset diabetes. This is caused by the reduction of insulin level. The pancreas is not making enough insulin because the beta cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system. It is also known as a ju­venile because it can be diagnosed early between chil­dren to adolescences.

Type II diabetes is known as maturity onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDD). It is caused by re­sistant or improper use of insulin. It is diagnosed for people of any age.

Type III diabetes is known as gestational diabetes. It is caused by a shortage of insulin. It happens to some women during their final stages of pregnancy, and most of the time, it goes away after giving birth even though some women who are diagnosed with gesta­tional diabetes, most likely will develop Type II dia­betes some time later in their lives.

Symptoms of diabetes mellitus

• Excessive urination
• Thirst (Dehydration)
• Hunger
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Tingling or itchy on hands and feet
•  Gum or bladder infections

Diabetes treatment

•  Eating plan
•  Engagement in physical activities
• Insulin injections for mostly Type I diabetes and some Type II diabetes
•  Oral agent pills for Type II diabetes to increase their insulin level or to use it better
•  Monitoring one’s blood glucose by frequent testing
  Visiting diabetes specialist (endocrinologist)

If diabetes is not treated well, it can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, impotence in men, and some other chronic diseases.

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