Find a Drug
Advanced Search

Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring

font size


Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring

Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced is ineffective. Insulin is produced and secreted by the pancreas and is needed for the proper storage and utilization of nutrients (glucose, proteins, and fat) by the cells of the body. Insulin allows nutrients to enter the cells of the body. For example, insulin allows cells to remove glucose from the blood, and the glucose is used to generate the energy that is necessary to fuel the activities of the cells. When insulin is absent or ineffective and the cells receive inadequate amounts of glucose, the body releases more glucose into the blood in an attempt to overcome the block to glucose entering the cells. The additional glucose cannot penetrate the cells, of course, and the glucose levels in the blood rise. High levels of blood and urine glucose is what causes the symptoms and signs of diabetes. For more, please read the Diabetes article.



Next: What is the treatment for diabetes? »

Last Editorial Review: 9/24/2007

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/diabetic_home_care_and_monitoring/article.htm

WebMD Symptom Checker - Start Here Diseases & Conditions: A comprehensive A-Z listing

Living with an Insulin Pump Living with an Insulin Pump
After years of debilitating seizures, diabetic Melissa Jeffries regains control of her diabetes through the use of an insulin pump. See more WebMD Videos »

Diabetes

Find tips and advances in treatment.