Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus impairs glucose metabolism due to insufficient insulin production or ineffective use, causing hyperglycemia. It affects over 830 million globally, with type 2 most prevalent. Early symptoms include polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, fatigue, and blurred vision; untreated cases lead to vascular, neuropathic, and infectious complications.

Main Types

Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune beta-cell destruction, requiring lifelong insulin. Type 2 features insulin resistance with relative deficiency, linked to obesity and inactivity. Gestational diabetes arises during pregnancy, raising future type 2 risk. Other forms include monogenic (MODY), cystic fibrosis-related, and drug-induced variants.

Causes and Risk Factors

Genetics, autoimmunity (type 1), obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet drive type 2. Pregnancy hormones trigger gestational cases. Prevalence surges in low-middle income countries; heart disease remains top mortality cause despite management.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood tests (fasting glucose ?126 mg/dL, HbA1c ?6.5%, OGTT) confirm diagnosis. Management blends diet, exercise, weight control, oral agents (metformin), insulin, and monitoring to prevent complications like retinopathy and nephropathy.