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Glossary

Definition of medical terms used on the web.

Diabetes


Mainly caused by the relative or complete lack of secretion of insulin by pancreatic cells that causes an increase in blood glucose. The disease is often familial, but may also be acquired due to excessive glucocorticosteroid administration.

There are different types of diabetes:

            Type I diabetes; includes patients who depend on insulin for controlling glucose levels, it is usually injected subcutaneously by the patient.

            Type II diabetes; are non-insulin-dependent patients, though this does not mean that sometimes they need it to correct their levels. In these patients, weight control and diet is important, as well as doing physical exercise. In some cases, the doctor will recommend taking oral antidiabetics.