Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce insulin or your body's cells do not properly use the insulin your pancreas releases. Insulin is a vital hormone produced in the pancreas that helps to convert sugars, starches and other foods into the energy needed for your body's cells to function. The cause of diabetes mellitus has not been determined, although both genetics and other factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. An overview of the two types of diabetes mellitus is as follows:

· Type 1 - People with Type 1 diabetes mellitus do not produce any insulin. This Type of diabetes occurs most often in children and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes mellitus must take daily insulin injections to stay alive and ensure that their body's cells have this vital hormone. Currently, Type 1 diabetes mellitus accounts for roughly 5 to 10 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

· Type 2 - People with Type 2 diabetes mellitus cannot use the insulin they produce or do not produce enough insulin. It is the most common form of diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diagnosed diabetics. Type 2 diabetes mellitus typically occurs in overweight people 40 year of age or older and comes on more gradually. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is approaching epidemic proportions due to a growing prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles in the US and an increased portion of the American population reaching their 40's.

What is Type 1 diabetes mellitus?

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and can be mistakenly referred to as juvenile diabetes, even though this type of diabetes mellitus can surface in adults. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is also commonly referred to as type 1 diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In Type 1 diabetes mellitus, the body does not produce the hormone, insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body's cells to turn glucose or sugar into energy. When you eat, your digestive system breaks that food into basic components. One of those components is glucose or sugar. This glucose is distributed to all the cells in your body via your blood. This is where we get the term blood glucose levels. As this glucose is distributed throughout your body, the hormone known as insulin acts in processing that sugar or glucose for the cells and turns them into the energy the cells use to function. Simply put, glucose is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the glucose or sugar from the blood into the cells. Without the presence of insulin the glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells and can cause two problems. First, your cells begin to starve for the energy they need to function. And second, high blood glucose levels may damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

This can all be very alarming when you first investigate the details of diabetes mellitus, however with good blood glucose monitoring skills, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise the complications of diabetes mellitus can be avoided. People with type 1 diabetes mellitus should consult their primary care physician or endocrynologist to develop a diabetes mellitus management plan. Once a plan is determined between you and your doctor, a blood glucose monitor that best fits into that plan should be chosen. Please view our page on blood glucose monitors to gain a better understanding on which meter will best fit your management routine.

What is Type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes mellitus accounting for 90 to 95 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is also referred to as type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus has also be referred to as adult-onset-diabetes even though juveniles and younger people can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the case of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells can not and do not use the insulin properly. For humans, with or without diabetes mellitus, insulin is a necessary component for the body's cells to be able to use and convert the sugar or glucose to energy. When you eat your digestive system breaks down the food into basic components (like glucose) and passes them into your blood. One of those components is called glucose or sugars. This is where the term blood glucose level comes from. Glucose or sugar is the basic fuel for your body's cells to operate. Insulin help the process of passing the sugar or glucose from the blood into the cells for energy to operate. As we read earlier type 2 diabetes mellitus is when the body cannot use the insulin or there is not enough to insulin process the glucose that is already in your blood. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems. First, your cells begin to starve for the energy they need to function. And second, high blood glucose levels may begin to damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

Diabetes mellitus can be alarming and frightening when you find out you have been diagnosed. However it can be managed through blood glucose monitoring, an exercise regimen and a healthy diet.

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus cannot process the glucose present in their blood stream without the assistance of insulin of some form. It is crucial to consult a your primary care physician or endocrynologist when developing a plan to help manage your type 2 diabetes mellitus. Once that plan is developed with your physician it is important to decide on the proper meter to accommodate your blood glucose monitoring habits. Please visit our page on blood glucose monitors.