Diabetes disrupts the normal balance between insulin and glucose. Usually after a meal, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and other simple sugars. This causes blood glucose levels to rise and stimulates the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin allows glucose into the cells, and directs excess glucose into storage, - either as glycogen in the liver or as triglycerides in adipose (fat) cells. If there is insufficient or ineffective insulin, glucose levels remain high in the bloodstream and the body's cells “starve.” This can cause both acute and chronic problems depending on the severity of the insulin deficiency. Acutely, it can upset the body's electrolyte balance, because dehydration as glucose is flushed out of the body with excess urination and, if unchecked, eventually lead to renal failure, loss of consciousness, and death. Over time, chronically high glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs throughout the body, causing other problems such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease in addition to diabetes.

Diabetes disrupts the normal balance between insulin and glucose. Usually after a meal, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and other simple sugars. This causes blood glucose levels to rise and stimulates the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin allows glucose into the cells, and directs excess glucose into storage, - either as glycogen in the liver or as triglycerides in adipose (fat) cells. If there is insufficient or ineffective insulin, glucose levels remain high in the bloodstream and the body's cells “starve.” This can cause both acute and chronic problems depending on the severity of the insulin deficiency. Acutely, it can upset the body's electrolyte balance, because dehydration as glucose is flushed out of the body with excess urination and, if unchecked, eventually lead to renal failure, loss of consciousness, and death. Over time, chronically high glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs throughout the body, causing other problems such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease in addition to diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus vs. Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes mellitus should not be confused with diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus are unrelated, although they can have similar signs and symptoms, like excessive thirst and excessive urination.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is characterized by excretion of large amounts of dilute urine, which disrupts your body's water regulation. To make up for lost water, you may feel the need to drink large amounts of water. You are likely to urinate frequently, even at night, which can disrupt sleep or, on occasion, cause bedwetting. Because of the excretion of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine, you may quickly become dehydrated if you do not drink enough water. Children with DI may be irritable or listless and, in some cases, may have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. In its clinically significant forms, it is a rare disease.