Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is an energy metabolism disorder that is based on blood glucose regulatory hormone, insulin, absolute or relative deficits. It is is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. The reasons can be:

• pancreatic insufficiency of insulin production
• insulin resistance

On average, diabetes affects 6.4% of the world's population.

Diabetic is classified as:

• Type I diabetes (Insulin-dependent diabetes). The reason is insulin producing beta cells destruction due to inflammation or autoimmune inflammation. The cause is unknown.
• Type II diabetes is a so-called lifestyle disease, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly.
• Gestational diabetes. Occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels.
• Secondary diabetes (a disease associated with another disease). Occurs for example after, inflammation of the pancreas, a disorder of hormonal function, a pancreatic surgery, or a rare surgery.

Normal blood sugar level is lower than 6.0 mmol / l. Type II diabetes can last for years unnoticed, and the disease is diagnosed only by accidental blood tests or when already the damages/complications of the disease are occurring.

Symptoms indicative of possible diabetes:

• increased thirst and dry mouth
• increased urination
• fatigue/weakness
• increased hunger
• unexpected weight loss
• slow-healing sores
• recurrent infections or inflammation
• blurred vision

Prevention and treatment involve maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, a normal body weight, and avoiding use of tobacco. The goal of diabetes treatment is to prevent its complications and keep up good quality of life.

Diabetes complications include:

• cardiovascular disorders/disease
• foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications.
• eye damage (retinopathy)d
• impotence
• kidney damage
• nerve damage (neuropathy)

Non-diabetic patients should go to a family doctor or family nurse when they have doubts for increased blood sugar or feel indicative symptoms of diabetes.