The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is fairly simple. Below is the basic concept of diabetes.

The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is as follows. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder where the body can not metabolize carbohydrates, proteins or fats because of a lack of proper amounts of hormone insulin. There are three types of diabetes. They are Type 1, Type 2 and gestational.

Type 1 diabetes, previously termed juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin, which is a hormone that is needed to convert sugars and starches and other foods into energy. This type of diabetes affects approximately 5-10% of the diabetic community. Insulin therapy is used in treating this disease.

Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of diabetes effecting millions of Americans. This diabetes type is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians as well as the older community.

Type 2 diabetes suffers bodies either do not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin it does produce. In this case the insulin taken is used to utilize the glucose from food to avoid a build up of glucose in the system. This build up of glucose causes serious complications. Gestational diabetes is when a pregnant woman, who has never had diabetes before, has a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. It may precede development of type 2 diabetes

The symptoms for all of these are fairly similar. They may include have frequent urination, be unusually thirsty, extremely hungry, have unusual weight loss and show extreme fatigue and irritability, frequent infections, blurred vision, cuts and or bruises that are very slow to heal, may experience a tingling and or numbness in the hands and or feet and have some recurring skin, gum and or bladder infections.

The diabetic patient should consult with a physician immediately. If care is taken and directions followed, a diabetic patient can live a long and healthy life. Great care should be taken to stay on top of this disease as if left unchecked it can cause major complications such as heart failure, stroke, blindness and difficulty with limbs.