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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. The main cause of diabetes varies by type.
With help from your diabetes treatment team, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to food, physical activity, medications, illness, alcohol and stress. For women, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to changes in hormone levels.
High blood sugar levels are the main problem in diabetes. Learn about lifestyle changes to lower the risk and treatments to manage type 2 diabetes.
Consider these tips. Lifestyle changes can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. Prevention is especially important if you're currently at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes because of excess weight or obesity, high cholesterol, or a family history of diabetes.
Recognizing possible diabetes symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. That can help prevent complications of diabetes and lead to a lifetime of better health. Here are more details about possible symptoms of diabetes:
Diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when someone with diabetes doesn't have enough sugar (glucose) in his or her blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body and brain, so you can't function well if you don't have enough.
Diabetes management takes awareness. Know what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall — and how to control these day-to-day factors. By Mayo Clinic Staff. When you have diabetes, it's important to keep your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your healthcare professional.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes. The condition develops when the body can't produce enough insulin. Insulin plays a key role in helping sugar — a major source of energy for muscles and other tissues — enter cells in the body.
Diabetes treatment: Lowering blood sugar. Several classes of type 2 diabetes medicines exist. Each class of medicine works in a different way to lower blood sugar. A medication may work by: Causing the pancreas to make and release more insulin. Limiting the liver's ability to make and release sugar.
If you have prediabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes — especially to your heart, blood vessels and kidneys — may already be starting. There's good news, however. Progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes isn't inevitable.