ICU-USA

Definition

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body's sugar is not well regulated. The sugar increases in the blood stream. Some of the most common symptoms are increased urination and increased thirst.

Causes

The precise cause of diabetes mellitus is not known. Heredity and viral infections may play a key role. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas and is critical to control of the body's blood sugar. An important feature of diabetes mellitus is a relative or absolute lack of insulin.

Treatment

Diabetes mellitus is controlled by diet, exercise, pills and sometimes by the administration of insulin.

Comments

Some people live many years with diabetes mellitus. Others develop complications resulting in eye problems, kidney damage, heart damage, stroke, and blood vessel damage.

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