Diabetes Mellitus
Insulin is a hormone responsible for transforming sugar into energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or cannot process the insulin produced, the sugar in the blood builds up. This condition is called diabetes mellitus, or more commonly, sugar diabetes.
There are two types of sugar diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes, usually found among children and young adults, occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells (beta-cells) found in the pancreas. Patients will need daily insulin injections in order to survive
Type 2 Diabetes is more common, affecting 120 million people worldwide. It occurs when the body produces insulin but the liver and muscle cells develop insulin resistance and do not recognize its actions. Once called adult onset diabetes because it tends to emerge after the age of 50, studies show an alarming increase in adolescents with the condition—primarily due to higher incidents of obesity. Type 2 Diabetes is treated with oral medication and diet, and may require insulin injections.
Without proper treatment, diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, nerver disease, cardiovascular disease, and limb amputations. Diabetics also have an increased risk for heart disease and strokes.
Web Resources On Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Health
American Diabetes Association
Book Resources On Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Mellitus: A Fundamental and Clinical Text by Leroith et al
Diabetes Mellitus: A Practical Handbook by Milchovich et al
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