Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus
Universal blue circle symbol for diabetes[1]
Pronunciation	/ˌdaɪ.əˈbiːtiːz, -tɪs/
Specialty	Endocrinology
Symptoms	Frequent urination Increased thirst Increased hunger
Complications	Metabolic imbalances Cardiovascular diseases Nerve and brain damage Kidney failure Gastrointestinal changes[2][3][4][5]
Duration	Remission may occur, but diabetes is often life-long
Types	Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Gestational diabetes
Causes	Insulin insufficiency or gradual resistance
Risk factors	Type 1: genetics and environmental factors[6] Type 2: Obesity, lack of exercise, genetics[2][6]
Diagnostic method	High blood sugar Increased HbA1c[2]
Differential diagnosis	diabetes insipidus
Treatment	Lifestyle changes Diabetes medication[2]
Medication	Insulin Anti-hyperglycemics[2][7][8]
Frequency	463 million (5.7%)[9]
Deaths	4.2 million (2019)[9]

Diabetes mellitus, often known simply as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels.^[10][11] Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the cells of the body becoming unresponsive to the hormone's effects.^[12] Classic symptoms include polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyuria (excessive urination), weight loss, and blurred vision. If left untreated, the disease can lead to various health complications, including disorders of the cardiovascular system, eye, kidney, and nerves.^[3] Diabetes accounts for approximately 4.2 million deaths every year,^[9] with an estimated 1.5 million caused by either untreated or poorly treated diabetes.^[10]

The major types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.^[13] The most common treatment for type 1 is insulin replacement therapy (insulin injections), while anti-diabetic medications (such as metformin and semaglutide) and lifestyle modifications can be used to manage type 2. Gestational diabetes, a form that arises during pregnancy in some women, normally resolves shortly after delivery.

The number of population living diabetes increased sharply from 537 million to 830 million between 2021 and 2022, increased more than 35%.^[14][15] It accounts for one in seven of the adult population, with type 2 diabetes make up for more than 95% of this number. These numbers have already risen beyond earlier estimation of 783 million adults by 2045.^[16] The prevalence of the disease continues to increase, most dramatically in low- and middle-income nations.^[17] Rates are similar in women and men, with diabetes being the seventh leading cause of death globally.^[18][19] The global expenditure on diabetes-related healthcare is an estimated US$760 billion a year.^[20]