Health
Non-communicable diseases
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Diabetes mellitus overview

Group of metabolic disorders with prolonged high blood sugar. Types: type 1, type 2 and gestational. Long-term risks: cardiovascular, kidney, nerve and eye damage.

Country:Global / Africa
Language:English
Published:2026-02-14
Audience:General public, community health workers
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterised by a high blood sugar level over a prolonged period. The main types are type 1 diabetes (the bodys immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas), type 2 diabetes (the body does not respond properly to insulin or does not produce enough) and gestational diabetes (occurring during pregnancy). Symptoms can include frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss and slow wound healing. Long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, nerve damage and eye damage.

Keywords

diabetes
insulin
type 2
gestational
NCD

Source & licence

Source: Wikipedia
Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
Wikipedia article. CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution required. Always pair with the Reference material disclaimer.
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