Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease resulting either from inadequate secretion of insulin by the pancreas or because the insulin that is secreted cannot be utilized by the cells. This lack of insulin results in abnormal fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The condition is characterized by hyperglycemia (an increase of blood glucose beyond normal concentration), if untreated, a complete lack of insulin will result in metabolic changes that develop into ketoacidosis, a toxic condition that leads to coma and death. By contrast, some people with diabetes suffer only a minimal lack of insulin and are asymptomatic. However, in most cases diabetes is associated with a variety of vascular, ophthalmic, neurological, renal and other complications. In the past, diabetes was classified as juvenile-onset and adult-onset; today it is classified as Type 1 Insulin dependent and Type 11, non-insulin dependent