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"Diabetes" redirects here. For other uses, see Diabetes (disambiguation).

Diabetes mellitus
Classification and external resources

Universal blue circle symbol for diabetes.[1] ICD-10 ICD-9 MedlinePlus eMedicine MeSH E10E14 250 001214 med/546 emerg/134 C18.452.394.750

Diabetes mellitus (DM) or simply diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar.[2] This high blood sugar produces the symptoms of frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. Untreated, diabetes can cause many

complications. Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma. Serious long-term complications include heart disease, kidney failure, and damage to the eyes. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or because cells of the body do not respond properly to the insulin that is produced.[3] There are three main types of diabetes mellitus:[4]

Type 1 DM results from the body's failure to produce insulin. This form was previously referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes".[4] Type 2 DM results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes also with an absolute insulin deficiency. This form was previously referred to as non insulindependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes". Gestational diabetes, is the third main form and occurs when pregnant women without a previous diagnosis of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level.

Prevention and treatment often involve a healthy diet, physical exercise, not using tobacco, and being a normal body weight.[4] Blood pressure control and proper foot care are also important for people with the disease.[4] Type 1 diabetes must be managed with insulin injections.[4] Type 2 diabetes may be treated with medications with or without insulin.[4] Insulin and some oral medications can cause low blood sugar, which can be dangerous. A pancreas transplant is occasionally considered for people with type 1 diabetes who have severe complications of their disease, including end stage renal disease requiring kidney transplantation.[5] They have had limited success Gastric bypass surgery has been successful in many with severe obesity and type 2 DM. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the birth of the baby.

Globally, as of 2013, an estimated 382 million people have diabetes worldwide, with type 2 making up about 90% of the cases.[6][7] This is equal to 3.3% of the population with equal rates in both women and men.[8] In 2011 it resulted in 1.4 million deaths worldwide making it the 8th leading cause of death.[4] The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035.[7]