Diabetes Mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by one feature: High blood sugar.

Diabetes is medically known as diabetes mellitus, from the Greek diabetes - flowing through, and the Latin mellitus - sweet like honey. This is because the glucose appears in the urine.

It is characterized by high blood sugar or hyperglycemia, which can lead to damage of the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels.

There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 is characterized by the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas responsible for making insulin, due to an autoimmune process. This results in complete insulin deficiency. The onset occurs within the period of a few days or weeks, and 95% of cases occur prior to age 25. About the same number of males as females get the disease.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance. Insulin is responsible for ushering glucose into the cells to use as food. When the cells do not respond to the insulin and glucose levels rise in the blood, the pancreas makes even more insulin which results in hyperinsulinemia which eventually leads to glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia. Plus, the overworked beta cells of the pancreas become exhausted, making the problem worse. Type 2 diabetes is more common in women and older age.

Read Next if you Just Arrived:
Home - Diabetes Cures