DIABETES MELLITUS: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND EMERGING THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES

Diabetes mellitus ranks as one of the most common diseases found in people worldwide, and the numbers of those who suffer from it have been rapidly rising in recent years. In essence, diabetes is characterized by improper regulation of blood sugar, resulting from insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas and/or lack of sensitivity of the body's cells to insulin. As a consequence, increased blood sugar levels gradually lead to damage of blood vessels and nerves and predispose patients to various complications, ranging from cardiovascular problems to issues with the function of kidneys, eyesight, and feet. The current literature review is aimed at providing a general overview of diabetes, focusing on such aspects as causes and types of this disease, its diagnosis and treatment, as well as reasons behind the need to prevent diabetes and potential ways of treating it. Considering the fact that there are more than half a billion people suffering from this condition, it is essential to be aware of all the relevant information.