Diseases

diabetes mellitus

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Overview

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It's also the brain's main source of fuel.Dec 7, 2022

Symptoms

  • feeling more thirsty than usual.
  • urinating often.
  • losing weight without trying.
  • presence of ketones in the urine.
  • feeling tired and weak.

Causes

  • the exact cause of most types of diabetes is unknownin all cases, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. this is because the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin.
  • both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of genetic or environmental factors.
  • it is unclear what those factors may be.

Risk factors

  • family history may play a part in all types.
  • environmental factors and geography can add to the risk of type 1 diabetes
  • race or ethnicity also may raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diagnosis

  • glycated hemoglobin (a1c) test.
  • random blood sugar test.
  • fasting blood sugar test.
  • oral glucose tolerance test.

Medicines used

Frequently asked questions

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It's also the brain's main source of fuel.Dec 7, 2022

What are the symptoms of diabetes mellitus?

feeling more thirsty than usual., urinating often., losing weight without trying., presence of ketones in the urine., feeling tired and weak.

What causes diabetes mellitus?

the exact cause of most types of diabetes is unknownin all cases, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. this is because the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin.; both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of genetic or environmental factors.; it is unclear what those factors may be.

Which medicines are used for diabetes mellitus?

acarbose, alogliptin, alogliptin-metformin, alogliptin-pioglitazone, bromocriptine, canagliflozin, canagliflozin-metformin, chlorpropamide, chromium, colesevelam, dapagliflozin, dapagliflozin-metformin, dapagliflozin-saxagliptin, dulaglutide, empagliflozin, empagliflozin-linagliptin, empagliflozin-linagliptin-metformin, empagliflozin-metformin, ertugliflozin-sitagliptin, exenatide

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