Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases, all of which are characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. In the United States it is estimated that over 20 million people have one form of diabetes or another1. There are many different forms of the disease, each caused by different factors. Some causes of diabetes are still unknown. Diabetes is concerning because high blood sugar causes damage to many parts of the body, including blood vessels, heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves. This damage can lead to kidney failure, requiring transplant or dialysis, heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.

There are a few key words and concepts helpful in understanding diabetes, the problems, or “complications” occurring with the disease and the potential benefits of various types of treatment. The section below “Definitions and Concepts” should help guide you through the remainder of this resource. We hope this report helps you to understand diabetes better, and helps outline some of the pros and cons of different treatments.

Definitions and Concepts
Definitions
Glucose: Glucose is the type of sugar used by the body for energy. Most types of food whether table sugar, fat or even meat is typically converted to glucose before it is used by the body for fuel.

Hyper/hypoglycemia: “Glycemia” means glucose in the blood, therefore “hyperglycemia” suggests sugar in the blood is too high, while “hypoglycemia” suggests blood sugar is too low. For most purposes, “hypoglycemia” is blood glucose lower than 70 (mg/dl) and “hyperglycemia” is blood glucose higher than 190 (mg/dL), however the definition of “hyperglycemia” really depends on the time of day in relation to a meal.

Insulin: Insulin is a hormone released by beta cells of the pancreas in response to the intake of sugar or other carbohydrates. It attaches to the outside of cells in the body, resulting in a signal allowing cells to take the sugar inside the cell to use as fuel. Calories: Calories are the way energy is measured in food. For each piece of food you eat, a certain amount of that food is turned into useful energy for your body. This energy content is described in units called calories. If calorie intake exceeds calories use, calories are stored and weight gain results. If calories intake is less than calories used, then weight loss results. Foods vary in the number of calories they contain per serving. Fat has morecalories than either carbohydrates or proteins per gram weight.

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