Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by excess blood sugar, due to the ineffective action of insulin, which is the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar.
The diabetic patient should undergo a blood glucose test to know the value of blood glucose that should not exceed 126 mg/ dL with an empty head, and treatment includes the use of medications, such as oral antidiabetics or insulin, exercise practice and proper nutrition.
- There are several types of diabetes mellitus.
- Type 1.
- Type 2 and gestational diabetes.
- And their differences include:.
In addition to these types of diabetes, there is also diabetes insipidus that is not related to diabetes mellitus, as it is caused by antidiuretic hormone dysfunction and occurs frequently due to kidney failure. Learn more about diabetes insipidus at: Diabetes insipidus.
Symptoms of diabetes mellitus may include
Factors increase your risk of developing diabetes mellitus, such as being older than 45, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of diabetes, for example. These people should pay close attention to diabetes symptoms and consult a general doctor each year to check for the disease.
The reference values of diabetes mellitus are identified by the blood glucose test, that is, when the patient has his finger, and with an empty head, the patient must have up to 126 mg / dL and at any time of the day less than 200 mg / dL .
In addition, when the diabetic patient undergoes a glycosyl hemoglobin test, the reference value should be less than 5. 7%.
Learn more about diabetes blood tests on: How to perform a blood test for diabetes
Treatment for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus includes:
When diabetes mellitus is not treated properly, complications such as diabetic kidney disease, infections, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetic neuropathy, or diabetic foot can occur. For more information about treatment, see: Treating Diabetes.