Summary
Type 1 results from loss of insulin-making cells and type 2 from insulin resistance, both leaving high blood glucose.
In depth
Type 1: autoimmune beta cell loss; type 2: insulin resistance plus relative deficiency. Chronic high glucose damages blood vessels and nerves (retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy). Treatment: insulin, metformin, diet, exercise.
Diagnosis uses fasting glucose and HbA1c. Complications are microvascular and macrovascular. Management aims for glycaemic control.
Remember: type 2 can often be improved by lifestyle changes.
Diabetes affects over 500 million people worldwide. Type 1 (5 to 10 percent) needs lifelong insulin. Type 2 relates to obesity, inactivity and genetics, and often starts with insulin resistance in muscle, fat and liver, followed by beta cell failure. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnancy. Symptoms: thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision. Diagnosis uses fasting glucose, glucose tolerance test and HbA1c.
Complications include retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, heart disease and foot ulcers, driven by glycation and oxidative damage. Management includes diet, exercise, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, insulin and continuous glucose monitors. Weight loss can put type 2 diabetes into remission. Ketoacidosis is an acute emergency in type 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Type 1 results from loss of insulin-making cells and type 2 from insulin resistance, both leaving high blood glucose.
Which area of biology covers Diabetes Mellitus, and how advanced is it?
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the 51 topics in Human Physiology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms, Ageing Physiology, Sleep Physiology.
Why does Diabetes Mellitus matter?
Diabetes shows how failure of one regulatory system can affect nearly every organ.
Can you give an example of Diabetes Mellitus?
Classic symptoms are thirst, frequent urination and weight loss.
What should I learn before Diabetes Mellitus?
Work through the Beginner topics in Human Physiology first, such as Homeostasis, Tissues and Organs, Skeletal System, then return to Diabetes Mellitus. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Diabetes Mellitus?
The closest topics to Diabetes Mellitus are Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms, Ageing Physiology, Sleep Physiology, Energy Balance and Metabolism. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Diabetes Mellitus?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Diabetes Mellitus. To practise the whole of Human Physiology, use the Human Physiology quiz.
How is Diabetes Mellitus different from Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms?
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1 results from loss of insulin-making cells and type 2 from insulin resistance, both leaving high blood glucose. Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms: Atherosclerosis builds plaques from cholesterol and inflammation, narrowing arteries and risking clots. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Diabetes Mellitus step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Human Physiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.