Word! Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus

(En español: Diabetes mellitus)

Say: dye-uh-be-tees meh-luh-tis

Diabetes mellitus is sometimes called "sugar diabetes." When someone has diabetes, his or her body doesn't use glucose properly. Glucose, a sugar, is the main source of energy for the body. Glucose levels are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made in the pancreas. In diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made (type 2 diabetes). If diabetes is not under control - or a person doesn't know he or she has diabetes - the person may have problems like increased urination (peeing), extreme thirst, and unexplained weight loss.