Millions of peoples have diabetes in this country. But even though it’s one of our most devastating diseases, and many people have heard about it, not many really know what it is. The name diabetes mellitus has an interesting origin. The word “mellitus” is a Greek word that means sweet. “Diabetes” is the Greek word for siphon. At some point the Ancient Greeks discovered that when certain people drank a lot, the liquids almost immediately left their body in the form of urine – as though it were siphoned from their body.

In addition to the frequent urination, the Greeks noted that the urine from these people had a slightly sweet taste. Hence the phrase “diabetes mellitus” or sweet flavored siphoned  liquid. Now, you may well ask why were the ancient Greeks tasting urine? They used it as a mouthwash, to prevent the formation of cavities. Remember, this was before the name brand mouthwashes that are so popular today.

Diabetes does not suddenly appear. Before diabetes is diagnosed, the body has already begun to manifest changes and symptoms. Collectively these symptoms are often referred to as pre-diabetes. To test for pre-diabetes, you need to find the blood glucose levels in your bloodstream. You can find diabetic testing supplies in medical supply houses and drug stores.

Diabetes is defined as the blood glucose level falling within a specified range. Researchers have also defined the glucose level at which a person is considered normal. If your blood glucose levels fall between these two ranges, you will most likely be diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

But just because you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re doomed to get diabetes. But it does mean that you should begin to watch your lifestyle. Many people after being diagnosed with pre-diabetes make lifestyle changes and never experience diabetes.

Diagnosis of diabetes is easy today, but it use to be trickier. A diagnosis of diabetes means that you have a high percentage of glucose in the bloodstream. Over the years, however,  standards have changed over the year. And levels of blood glucose that in the past were not considered diabetic are now considered diabetic. Today, the American Diabetes Association has set the threshold to be a blood glucose level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) when the patient is given the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.

However, one test is not enough. You need to have multiple diabetes tests before you can be 100% confirmed as having diabetes. That’s because a diabetes test can give you a false positive.

A lot of of the problems caused by diabetes is the result of the body being unable to process the glucose that’s in the bloodstream. If the body is unable to process glucose, the cells can’t get nutrients. As a result, the person will usually feel tired or listless. The reason for the body being unable to process glucose is often a deficit of insulin in the body.

Insulin is a “magic” hormone. It breaks down glucose into glycogen, a fuel that can be stored in the body as fat and used when needed. Another chemical just as magical is insulin.  It changes the structure of the body’s cells so that they can accept nutrients.

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