what exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome of abnormal carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. It results in acute and chronic complications due either to the lack of insulin or to insulin resistance. There are three types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes - (frequently referred to as juvenile diabetes) results from an absolute insulin deficiency. Symptoms include the classic “P” triad: polyphagia (excessive hunger), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyuria (excessive secretion of urine); also weight loss, irritability, drowsiness, and fatigue.

• Type 2 diabetes - (often referred to as adult onset diabetes) is the result of insulin resistance and/or an insulin secretory defect. Symptoms develop more slowly and frequently without the classic triad; instead, these patients may be obese and may have pruritis (excessive itching of the skin), peripheral neuropathy (nervous system disturbances, including loss of feeling in the extremities), and/or blurred vision. They may also suffer from opportunistic infections, including oral and vaginal candidiasis, as well as frequent bladder infections and foot infections.

Those with long-standing diabetes may develop microvascular and macrovascular conditions that may lead to irreversible damage to the eyes (retinopathy and cataracts), kidneys (nephropathy), nervous system (neuropathy and paresthesias), and heart (accelerated atherosclerosis), as well as recurrent infections and impaired wound healing. It is the most common form of diabetes.

• Gestational diabetes - (frequently referred to as pregnancy diabetes) is a condition of abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy. It usually resolves postpartum. Women diagnosed with gestational pregnancy are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.