Diabetes Mellitus
Definition
Diabetes mellitus (pronounced DI-uh-BEE-teez MEH-luh-tuss) is a condition in which the body's cells are no longer able to utilize blood sugar. Blood sugar is the fuel that cells use to make energy. Symptoms of diabetes mellitus include excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, and tiredness.
Description
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health disorder. Chronic means that the condition lasts for many years. Diabetes can cause serious health problems. These problems include kidney failure, heart disease, stroke (see stroke entry), and blindness. About fourteen million Americans have diabetes. As many as half of these people do not know they have the condition.
The Energy Your Body Needs
Our bodies require a constant production of energy. We use that energy to walk, talk, think, and carry on many other activities. The energy comes from the food we eat.
Certain foods contain chemicals known as carbohydrates. When carbohydrates enter the body, they break down to form a simple sugar known as glucose. The glucose travels to cells throughout the body by way of the bloodstream.
To enter a cell, glucose may need the help of another chemical known as insulin. Insulin is produced in the pancreas. Insulin also travels through the bloodstream to all cells in the body.
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