Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by an elevated blood glucose level
(hyperglycaemia) resulting from defects in insulin secretion, in insulin action, or both. Diabetes
mellitus is not a pathogenic entity but a group of aetiologically different metabolic defects. Common symptoms of diabetes are lethargy from marked hyperglycaemia, polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, blurred vision and susceptibility to certain infections. Severe hyperglycaemia may lead to hyperosmolar syndrome and insulin deficiency to life-threatening ketoacidosis. Chronic hyperglycaemia causes long-term damage, dysfunction and failures of various cells, tissues and
organs. |