Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the name given to a (diverse) group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Diabetes is the most common endocrinologic (hormonal) disease in the United States, with about 5 percent of the population diagnosed with one form of it or another.
A syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from absolute or relative impairment in insulin secretion and/or insulin action. Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin or to use effectively the insulin supply it has. Insulin is a protein hormone which is produced by beta cells in the pancreas, a large gland situated behind the stomach, and from there secreted into the blood. There it has two major functions. One is to transfer glucose from the blood to the body cells, where it is "burned" as energy. Insulin's other function is to convert excess glucose to glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscles as an energy reserve. (Carol Lewis, 2002)
When insulin is lacking or cannot be used properly, the body loses its ability to process glucose. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood a condition known as hyperglycemia. Some of the excess is excreted through the kidneys into the urine; thus, the presence of sugar in the urine may be a sign of high blood sugar. Whereas a normal blood-glucose level ranges from about 70 to 130 milligrams per deciliter of blood, the glucose level in a person with diabetes may fluctuate from less than 50 to more than 500. A glucose level of more than 150 milligrams per deciliter signifies possible diabetes; a physician, however, must make the diagnosis.
“Meanwhile, the body's cells cannot obtain sufficient fuel from glucose, nor have they a stored supply of glycogen to rely on. Therefore, the cells burn protein and fat for the energy they need. The burning of fat leads to the formation of highly acidic substances called ketones........
