Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by defective carbohydrate metabolism and characterized by abnormally large amounts of sugar in the blood and urine. Diabetes mellitus is usually classified into two types. Type I or "insulin-dependent" diabetes mellitus (IDDM), formerly called juvenile-onset diabetes, which occurs in children and young adults has been implicated as one of the autoimmune diseases. Type II or "non-insulin-dependent" diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), formerly called adult-onset diabetes is found in persons over 40 years old and progresses slowly.
Detection of Type II diabetes in the absence of symptoms starts with the measurement of the glucose levels in urine. If a high level is detected, the amount of blood sugar is measured after an overnight fast. A high value indicates diabetes, and those with a normal level then undergo an oral glucose tolerance test in which the amount of glucose in the blood is measured after ingestion of a large amount of sugar.
It is essential that diabetic patients are aware of the complications that can occur as a result of being diabetic to ensure that first symptoms of any possible illness are spotted before it can get worse.
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