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What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, means sweet urine. Diabetes mellitus means to flow, honey in Greek

Diabetes that affects the body's ability to produce or respond to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows blood glucose [blood sugar] to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy.

Diabetes results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. In diabetes, too much glucose stays in the blood. Elevated levels of blood glucose [hyperglycemia] lead to spillage of glucose into the urine.

As a result of elevated levels of blood glucose, two problems occur: body cells become starved for energy, and, over time, the high glucose levels can damage the nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels.

Diabetes is not an infectious disease, like a cold or flu. You can’t catch it from someone else, and no one can catch it from you. Diabetes is a lifelong disease.

Men with diabetes often have erectile dysfunction which can begin before the diagnosis of diabetes is made. It is recommended that men with unexplained erectile dysfunction be screened for diabetes with a fasting blood glucose test.

What is High Blood Sugar?

• Normal blood sugar: 65 -140.
• High blood sugar: 250-350
• Very high blood sugar: (over 350)

What happens when blood sugar falls too low?

When blood sugar falls too low, the body will begin a process to increase blood sugar. The process is listed below.

• The pancreas releases a hormone called glucagons
• The muscles and liver convert their stored glycogen back into glucose.
• When the stored glycogen is used up, the liver, kidneys, and small intestines can break down protein into glucose.

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