What is diabetes

Share on Pinterest People with diabetes will usually see their general care physician every few months for a regular check-up. A general care physician will often help in the treatment of people with diabetes. A person’s family doctor may be the person who first notices that they have This often emerges during routine screening. The person will usually see their doctor for regular check-ups every 3 to 4 months. If there is anything outside their area of expertise, a general care physician will probably start by referring the individual to an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists The most common specialists in the field of diabetes are endocrinologists. Endocrinologists specialize in hormonal issues and the glands that produce these hormones. Diabetes develops when the pancreas no longer produces People with When seeing a doctor about diabetes for the first time, it is a good idea to prepare for the consultation. Keeping a journal For at least a week before the appointment, an individual should keep a journal of any symptoms they have, whether these relate to diabetes or not. A doctor will use the journal as a reference when creating an individual treatment plan. This is crucial as every case of diabetes is different, and each person will need a different treatment plan. Fasting For some visits, and especially a first-time visit, a person may need to take a fasting blood glucose test. It is important to ask for clear instructions before the appointment day. Fasting for a blood ...

Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, is a condition that causes blood sugar to rise. Diabetes is diagnosed based on a fasting blood glucose (sugar) level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher. How diabetes develops When your digestive system breaks down food, your blood sugar level rises. The body’s cells absorb the sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream and use it for energy. The cells do this using a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, an organ near the stomach. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin and/or doesn’t efficiently use the insulin it produces, sugar levels rise in the bloodstream. As a result: • Right away, the body’s cells may be starved for energy. • Over time, high blood glucose levels may damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Types of diabetes Type 1 diabetes This type of diabetes is also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin or other medications daily. This makes up for the insulin not being produced by the body. Type 1 diabetes was previously known as juvenile diabetes because it’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults. However, this chronic, lifelong condition can strike at any age. People with a family history of Type 1 diabetes have a greater risk of developing it. Health risks for Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes develops when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Once these cells are destroyed, t...

diabetes mellitus refers to these symptoms: diabetes, from the Greek diabainein, meaning “to pass through,” describes the mellitus, from the Latin meaning “sweetened with honey,” refers to sugar in the urine.) Other symptoms of diabetes include itching, hunger, weight loss, and weakness. There are two major forms of the disease. Type 1 diabetes, formerly referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, usually arises in childhood. Type 2 diabetes, formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, usually occurs after age 40 and becomes more common with increasing age. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes, accounting for about 90 percent of all cases. The frequency of type 2 diabetes varies greatly within and between countries and is increasing throughout the world. Most patients with type 2 diabetes are adults, often older adults, but it can also occur in children and adolescents. There is a stronger genetic component to type 2 diabetes than to type 1 diabetes. For example, identical twins are much more likely to both develop type 2 diabetes than to both develop type 1 diabetes, and 7 to 14 percent of people whose mother or father has type 2 diabetes will also develop type 2 diabetes; this estimate increases to 45 percent if both parents are affected. In addition, it is estimated that about half of the ad...

Endocrinologists are doctors who specialize in glands and the hormones they make. They deal with They may work with adults or kids. When they specialize in treating children, they're called pediatric endocrinologists. What Do Endocrinologists Do? They cover a lot of ground, diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your: • Adrenals, glands that sit on top of your • • Cholesterol • • • Parathyroids, small glands in your neck that control the • Pituitary, a pea-sized gland at the base of your • Reproductive glands (gonads): ovaries in women, testes in men • Training Endocrinologists are licensed internal medicine doctors who have passed an additional certification exam. They go to college for 4 years, then medical school for 4 more years. Afterward, they work in hospitals and clinics as residents for 3 years to get experience treating people. They'll spend another 2 or 3 years training specifically in endocrinology. The whole process usually takes at least 10 years. Where to Find One An endocrinologist can work in: • A medical practice with other endocrinologists • A group with different kinds of doctors • Hospitals You can search for one on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website. Some don't see patients. They may work in universities or medical schools, where they teach medical students and residents or do research. When to See an Endocrinologist for Diabetes Your regular doctor can • You're brand new to • They don't have a lot of experience trea...

Overview Diabetes insipidus (die-uh-BEE-teze in-SIP-uh-dus) is an uncommon problem that causes the fluids in the body to become out of balance. That prompts the body to make large amounts of urine. It also causes a feeling of being very thirsty even after having something to drink. Diabetes insipidus also is called arginine vasopressin deficiency and arginine vasopressin resistance. While the terms "diabetes insipidus" and "diabetes mellitus" sound alike, the two conditions are not connected. Diabetes mellitus involves high blood sugar levels. It's a common condition, and it's often called simply diabetes. There's no cure for diabetes insipidus. But treatment is available that can ease its symptoms. That includes relieving thirst, lowering the amount of urine the body makes and preventing dehydration. Symptoms Symptoms of diabetes insipidus in adults include: • Being very thirsty, often with a preference for cold water. • Making large amounts of pale urine. • Getting up to urinate and drink water often during the night. Adults typically urinate an average of 1 to 3 quarts (about 1 to 3 liters) a day. People who have diabetes insipidus and who drink a lot of fluids may make as much as 20 quarts (about 19 liters) of urine a day. A baby or young child who has diabetes insipidus may have these symptoms: • Large amounts of pale urine that result in heavy, wet diapers. • Bed-wetting. • Being very thirsty, with a preference for drinking water and cold liquids. • Weight loss. • Po...

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have similar names, but they’re different diseases with unique The Risk factors for type 1 diabetes Causes of type 1 diabetes The body’s immune system is responsible for fighting off foreign invaders, such as harmful viruses and bacteria. Type 1 diabetes is The immune system Researchers don’t know why the immune system sometimes attacks the body’s own cells. It may have something to do with genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to viruses. Research into autoimmune diseases is ongoing. Diet and lifestyle habits do not cause type 1 diabetes. Causes of type 2 diabetes People with type 2 diabetes have Researchers aren’t sure why some people become insulin resistant and others don’t, but several lifestyle factors may contribute, including Other Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are less clear than risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Known risk factors • Family history: People with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing it themselves. • Age: Type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, but it’s most common among children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes risk factors You’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes • have • are carrying excess weight or have • • are physically active less than 3 times a week • are • have ever had • • are Black, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native due to • have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes • have If not managed, type 1 and type 2 diabetes can le...