Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood and utilize it properly. The glucose is needed by the body for energy to perform its normal functions like walking, exercising and performing the daily chores. When you eat a meal like a soda and burger, the body breaks down the complex chemical structure that makes up your food into glucose, a simple sugar, which is easily absorbed and used by the cells in the body.

In healthy individuals, the blood glucose level is regulated primarily by two hormones- insulin and glucagon. The former is produced by the beta cells and the latter by the alpha cells of the pancreas. Essentially, insulin keeps blood sugar from going up (hyperglycemia) more than its normal level (> 200mg/dL taken randomly) by allowing the glucose to move from the blood into liver, muscle, and fat cells, where it is used for fuel. On the other hand, when blood sugar level drops too low (hypoglycemia), the body releases glucagon to raise it up to its normal level again.

When the body is unable to control the surge of blood glucose in the circulation, some of it leaks into the urine, a condition called glycosuria. This happens because the kidneys are overwhelmed by the excess glucose and are unable to reabsorb it. Normally, glucose is not found in the urine because it is a necessary nutrient and therefore, reabsorbed into the circulation. Glycosuria is one of the most notable symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus although its existence could be due to other factors such as the intake of drugs.

Other signs and symptoms include the three P’s:

- Polyphagia (excessive hunger)

- Polyuria (excessive urination)

- Polydipsia (excessive thirst)

Statistics About 17 million Americans (6.2% of adults in North America) are believed to have diabetes. About one third of diabetic adults do not know they have diabetes. Type 1 DM accounts for the 10% of the cases and the remaining 90% is attributed to Type 2 DM. About 1 million new cases occur each year, and diabetes is the direct or indirect cause of at least 200,000 deaths each year. It is listed as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly. This is attributed to many factors, but the most significant are obesity and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles.

Pre-diabetes This is a common condition where the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic. Pre-diabetes almost always leads to Type 2 DM, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Pre-diabetes can typically be reversed without insulin or medication by losing a modest amount of weight and increasing your physical activity. This weight loss can prevent, or at least delay, the onset of Type 2 diabetes. An international expert committee of the American Diabetes Association redefined the criteria for Pre-diabetes, lowering the blood sugar level cut-off point for Pre-diabetes. As a result, approximately 20% more adults are now believed to have this condition and at risk of developing Type 2 DM within 10 years if they do not exercise, maintain a healthy weight and reduce their fast food intake.

As you may be aware, Diabetes Mellitus primarily occurs in two forms:

1. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: people with it cannot produce any insulin or enough of it. It is also formerly known as juvenile-onset Diabetes Mellitus and Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).

2. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: people with it have insulin but cannot utilize it properly. To distinguish it from the Type 1, it also used to be known as adult-onset diabetes Mellitus and non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM).

Sometimes, both types occur together. Generally, both Type 1 and Type 2 results in the accumulation of glucose in the blood. Consequently, the cells that need the glucose for fuel are starved and certain organs and tissues exposed to the high glucose levels are harmed too.

Another form of diabetes is the one that occurs during the second half of pregnancy. This is called Gestational Diabetes and is present in 2-4% of pregnant women. It typically goes away after delivery of the baby. Women who have Gestational Diabetes are more likely than other women to develop Type 2 DM later in life. Also, women with Gestational Diabetes are more likely to have large babies.

Secondary Diabetes is also known to happen to individuals who have endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome and pancreatic disease; and those who use anti-inflammatory medications such adrenocorticosteroids and antihypertensive drugs like thiazide diuretics (Diuril).

High blood sugar symptoms can be sign of diabetes, a serious condition, that - if not treated - can lead to devastating consequences to your health, including kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, blindness, and diabetic coma.

However, the most common symptom of high blood sugar is having no symptoms at all! Which is why many people are living with diabetes without knowing about it!

Because of this fact, it’s very important that you test your blood glucose levels on a regular basis using a blood glucose analyzer and also to be aware of the following high blood sugar symptoms.

But first, let me explain what it means to have “high blood sugar” or hyperglycemia. One is considered to have hyperglycemia, when one’s blood glucose level elevates and stays elevated above the normal levels. Normal glucose levels are between 70 and 150 mg/dL. Levels typically are lower in the morning, when you wake up after a whole night of fasting, and increase after meals.

Levels rising consistently above 150 mg/dL are indicative of hyperglycemia.

If your blood glucose level is too high, you may experience the following symptoms:

- Increased thirst- it seams that you are always thirsty

- Frequent urination - you constantly have to go to the bathroom

- Dry mouth

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Shortness of breath

- Extreme fatigue, feeling weak and tired

- Difficulty concentrating

- Blurred vision

- Slower healing of wounds

- Unexplained weight loss

- Frequent yeast infections

- Blood sugar higher than 180 mg/dL

It is important to know that not everyone with high blood glucose levels will experience the exact same symptoms. If your symptoms are not severe, you may feel normal and not think that may you have high blood sugar. Also, your symptoms can be very mild or develop at an extremely slow pace. Some people do not experience any symptoms at all. That is why it is important to pay attention to your body, and have blood sugar levels checked periodically.

The good news is that while diabetes is a serious and potentially devastating disease, it is also highly preventable. Even if you already have it, you can control the symptoms or reverse the disease entirely, with a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Because diabetes is caused mainly by poor diet choices, lack of or insufficient physical activity, and stress; simply by improving your diet, exercising, and eliminating stress from your life, can have a profound effect for your health!

Diabetes is a serious medical condition. If you suspect you might have it or be at risk for it, you need to know more about the causes of this ailment and what symptoms you should be looking for.

It’s a condition wherein sugar, or glucose, accumulates in the bloodstream. This happens because the cells in your pancreas cease to produce sufficient quantities of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that’s essential for breaking down glucose in your bloodstream. In the case of this disorder, however, the amount of insulin produced is insufficient or is used improperly by your body. This causes your blood sugar levels to become elevated - sometimes to the point of danger.

There is more than one form of this disorder. Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, will typically appear in childhood or adolescence and attacks without warning. It’s an autoimmune disease that will require a lifetime of treatment. Type 2 tends to develop later in life and is typically a result of obesity, eating a poor diet and being sedentary. The problem in today’s society is that so many people don’t eat nutritionally or get enough exercise, and this is leading to an increased number of people acquiring this disease.

As well, there is gestational diabetes which occurs in pregnant women. However, it’s only a temporary condition that will disappear once the baby is born. The problem is that the symptoms often go unnoticed because of all the other changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy. However, keep an eye out for the symptoms and report anything unusual to your physician.

Usually, the symptoms of any of the forms of this disease include excessive urination, unusually high levels of hunger, and excessive thirst. Sometimes diabetic patients will start to lose weight rapidly, or experience blurred vision. Another sign is having wounds that are slow to heal. If you start to experience ongoing stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, these are also signs that you might have the disease. Any of these symptoms are something that you need to be concerned about and get checked out immediately by a medical professional.

The unfortunate part about this disease is that many people either don’t recognize the symptoms or they don’t realize the seriousness of the condition. This means that they don’t take action in a timely manner. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious damage to your major organs and even death. It’s a good idea to have your blood sugar levels checked annually, particularly if you’re over 45 and have lifestyle factors that put you at risk.