Diabetes mellitus in actionDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease which results either from hyposecretion or hypoactivity of insulin (Marieb 620). Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is the primary source of energy for the body's cells; however, high blood sugar can be deadly. According to the CDC, diabetes mellitus is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States (Hoyert 4). Diabetes mellitus can be divided into two types: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is the lack of insulin and type 2 diabetes is the presence of insulin but its effect is defective. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes occurs at all ages and is often preventable. The signs and symptoms of diabetes vary between individuals and the type of diabetes they have. “Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not initially experience symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Signs and symptoms of diabetes include: increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, presence of ketones in urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat which occurs when there is not enough insulin), fatigue. , blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, high blood pressure, and frequent infections (Mayo Clinic staff). Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system failing to recognize the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, causing the immune system to attack the cells. . As a result, the body lacks insulin, or even no insulin at all. Thus, glucose is not transported to the cells but remains in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia. "Type 1 is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environment...... middle of paper ... a time when he went for his A1C test with a level of 4.5. His doctor was surprised and then gave him the lowest dose of metformin. He was asked to come back for an A1C test in three months. Again, his A1C test was below 6.5. Her doctor then took her off metformin, and her A1C test after six months was still below 6.5. Her doctor told her her case was “phenomenal” because people with type 1 diabetes cited Hoyert, Donna L. and Jiaquan Xu. “Deaths: preliminary data for 2011.” National Vital Statistics Reports 61.6 (2012): 4. Print. Marieb, Elaine N. and Katja Hoehn. Human anatomy and physiology. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012. Print. Mayo Clinic Staff. "Diabetes." MayoClinic.com. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, January 31, 2013. Web. December 2. 2013. .