Overview of Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and Diabetes Mellitus type 1

In order to understand diabetes mellitus, the normal processing of glucose needs to be be understood. This section will give an overview. Diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2 are the two most common forms of diabetes. All forms of diabetes mellitus result in elevated blood sugar concentrations.  Let the endocrinologists at Houston Thyroid and Endocrine help you control your blood sugars. Diabetes is a disease characterized by the build-up of sugar in the blood. In people without diabetes, sugar (or glucose) is able to move out of the blood and into the cells of the body where it can then be used for energy. This is made possible by a hormone called insulin which acts as a key allowing glucose into the cells. We can think of diabetes as a condition in which these keys are either missing or not fitting into their locks properly.

Scope of the problem

It is important for patients to recognize that long-term hyperglycemia can cause significant damage to blood vessels, leading to complications such as nerve damage, blindness and kidney failure, as well as increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. The many symptoms of diabetes mellitus are categorized as short-term and long-term side-effects to the body from having uncontrolled blood sugars. The long-term side-effects are called microvascular (small blood vessel) and macrovascular (large blood vessel) complications. 

Causes of Diabetes 

Treatments for diabetes 

Fortunately, the complications of diabetes can be avoided by treatment with insulin, other injectable medications, or oral medications. Mindful meal-planning and regular exercise can also go a long way in successfully managing diabetes and avoiding these complications. With diabetes education it is the goal of our clinic to empower each and every one of our diabetes patients with the knowledge and skill-set to successfully manage their own blood sugar levels with the support of one of our board-certified endocrinologists. If lifestyle and diet changes do not improve blood sugars then anti-hyperglycemic medications are necessary to prevent the microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus.  The goal of treatment is to reduce the likelihood of diabetes-related-complications. There are many tools to manage blood sugars including continuous glucose monitoring systems.