Gourt > Health > Animal > Conditions and Diseases > Pancreatic Disorders > Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a medical disorder characterized by persistent variable hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), resulting either from inadequate secretion of the hormone insulin, an inadequate response by the body's cells to insulin, or a combination of these factors.
The most common forms of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 (10% of cases) is due to destruction of the islets of Langerhans, which produce insulin; it can only be treated with insulin injections. In type 2 (90% of cases) the main problem is decreased sensitivity of the body's cells to insulin, known as insulin resistance, although insulin production is often affected in the later stages; as well as diet and exercise, treatment usually is with tablets, or eventually with insulin injections. Gestational diabetes may develop during pregnancy and is similar to type 2 in its mechanism; it may affect fetal health and 40% of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Since the discovery of insulin (1921) diabetes has been a treatable but chronic condition, and the main risks to health are its characteristic long-term complications. These include cardiovascular disease (doubled risk), chronic renal failure (it is the main cause for dialysis in developed world adults), retinal damage which can lead to blindness and is the most significant cause of adult blindness in the non-elderly in the developed world, nerve damage, erectile dysfunction (impotence), to gangrene with risk of amputation of toes, feet, and even legs.
More on [ Diabetes mellitus ]
Got type 2 diabetes mellitus? Eat lots of dietary fiber! http://t.co/g2o3p9Cw
Adams_Kathleen (Kathleen Adams) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:06:24 -0000
Got type 2 diabetes mellitus? Eat lots of dietary fiber! http://t.co/g2o3p9Cw
Types of Diabetes Type 1 diabetes was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or (cont) http://t.co/48MbEbiN
stadia1 (stadia) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:53:21 -0000
Types of Diabetes Type 1 diabetes was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or (cont) http://t.co/48MbEbiN
Got type 2 diabetes mellitus? Eat lots of dietary fiber! - Food Consumer
coastloresha (Lorenzo Shanks) Wed, 18 Jan 2
Harry's Home BG Testing - How to test blood glucose at home in a diabetic cat or dog. Includes methods, test interpretation, comparison of meters, and links.
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Pet Diabetes Support Group - Includes health and nutrition articles, success stories, and a mailing list.
Meta Description: [ Diabetic Pet group providing support, information and success stories to owners of canine, feline and all diabetic pets; established January 01, 1997 ]
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Meta Description: [ EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOR DIABETIC DOGS, CATS, AND OTHER PETS ]
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