Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes has been recognised since ancient times. It is known by the increased thirst and frequent urination experienced by the person with diabetes. Often, this person also feels a generalised weakness.
Later in 1679 the discovery that the urine of a diabetic person had a sweet taste, gave the condition its name.
The term "diabetes mellitus" was derived from 2 terms :
|
The Greek word Diabetes = to Siphon /pass through | |
| ...and the Latin word mellitus = sweet as honey |  |
Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which patients have high blood sugar. It is a common condition and affects 8.6% of the population in Singapore. This is an increase from 4.7% in 1984. It is an important condition because there are many complications that can occur as a result of diabetes mellitus. These can be divided broadly into those that occur in the short term (the acute complications) and those that occur over a long time (the chronic complications).
Before we go into details of these complications, there is one very important message that we must get across to you as patients and members of the public. These complications are preventable. Although this is not true in every case, well controlled diabetes mellitus through your own efforts and working with your doctor and other health workers, will at least delay the onset of these complications. Patients with diabetes mellitus can live healthy, active, rewarding lives.
This section on diabetes mellitus will therefore be divided into several sections so that you can learn about this very important treatable condition step by step. These sections will be:
Types
What types of diabetes mellitus are there?
Diagnosis
Complications of diabetes mellitus
What are they and how can I prevent them?
Complications arising from treatment
How do I know that these complications can really be prevented?
Treatment/Control
How is diabetes mellitus treated?
Medications
What
is good control and how do I know if my diabetes mellitus is well controlled?