What Is Diabetes Mellitus?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
1. Types
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) occurs due to the failure of the pancreas to produce adequate insulin because of the loss of beta cells in the pancreas. T1DM was previously known as juvenile diabetes as it generally begins in the younger population. The beta cells are lost due to an autoimmune response. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is due to insulin resistance and is previously known as adult-onset diabetes.
However, since it is increasingly common among the pediatric population due to high obesity rates, this term is now rarely used. T2DM is the commonest type of diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman without a history of diabetes develops high levels of blood sugar during pregnancy.
