Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus refers to three types of a highly variable disorders with abnormalities in the ability to make and/or use the hormone insulin resulting in hyperglycemia and other metabolic derangements involving fat and protein. Diabetes Mellitus Type I is known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, type II is known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, and type III is termed gestational diabetes, a form of the disease that arises during pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus is not to be confused with Diabetes Insipidus.

Pathophysiology

• Diabetes Mellitus Type I - Autoimmune destruction of either insulin itself, or more commonly the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas (beta cells). Patients require intramuscular injections of purified insulin.
• Diabetes Mellitus Type II - The cells of the body are rendered unresponsive to normal insulin, either at the level of the receptor or downstream signaling events within the cell. This is also referred to as "insulin resistance" and is highly correlated to obesity.

See also

• Atkins Diet