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.

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Veterinary Medicine

Check out the Vet Gazette
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700
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What Makes a Happy Cow?
Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Oregon State University dairy cows are sporting a fashionable new orange accessorythat is designed to gather a variety of information on the cows' movements, which will allow researchers to learn which conditions, including food, surroundings and density of cows put together, make them the happiest. <img class="thumb" src="http://oregonstate.edu/enewsletter/images/happycow.jpg" alt="Photo of Cow" title="OSU Makes Cows Happy" />
Check out the Vet Gazette
Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Stay up-to-date on news in the College of Veterinary Medicine!
Pet Day 2009 is Coming!
Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Oregon State's College of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to host its 22nd annual Pet Day and Open House on May 2. Check it out! <img class="thumb" src="http://oregonstate.edu/enewsletter/images/petday2009.jpg" alt="Pet Day logo" title="College of Veterinary Medicine hosts Pet Day" />
Oregon State Researchers Monitoring Potential Spread of Fungal Disease
Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700
A fungal organism called Cryptococcus gattii, which caused a disease outbreak among humans and animals on Vancouver Island 10 years ago, may be showing signs of emerging in other areas of the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon, say pathologists at OSU.
OSU Researcher to Work with Marion County Youths on Vet Med Project
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Elementary students at Marion and Turner schools in Marion County will have the opportunity to learn about the intestinal physiology of a llama, examine a freeze-dried horse leg, compare the differences between a veterinarian and a medical doctor, and help conduct an exam on a dog.

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