Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases when your body cannot properly process and uses blood sugar (glucose) which is an important source of energy for cells and especially your brain. There are several types of diabetes and all leads to the condition of having excess blood sugar. Insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas, help facilitate bringing in glucose through cells and ultimately used as energy. If you have diabetes, either your pancreas do not produce insulin sufficiently (or not at all) or cells do not respond to insulin’s actions. Poorly controlled diabetes may lead to serious complications and may be life-threatening.

Common types of diabetes are as followed:

• Pre-diabetes : A condition when your blood glucose is higher than normal but not yet met the criteria to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle modifications are recommended at this point.
• Type 1 Diabetes : An autoimmune disease where your pancreas are destroyed by your own immunity. Type 1 diabetes patients will need continuous monitoring for blood sugar and use insulin everyday.
• Type 2 Diabetes : The most common type of diabetes. Your body does not respond well to insulin’s actions or does not make enough of it. Medications used for Type 2 Diabetes would focus on promoting insulin’s actions.
• Gestational Diabetes : A diabetes developed in pregnant woman and usually resolved after.

Complications which may be life-threatening include:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Neuropathy
• Kidney damage
• Erectile dysfunction
• Eye damage
• Skin infections
• Wounds not healing well and develop necrosis requiring amputation