In Latin, diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes means "flowing honey." This is the name given to the sweet-smelling urine produced by diabetics.

"It's a very common condition and affects up to 10 percent of the elderly population," according to Dr. Edward Hillhouse, professor of medicine at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick in Coventry, England.

How does diabetes begin? What happens is that the body is unable to process carbohydrates (sugars and starches) that give us energy. Normally, these sugars and starches are converted into a form of sugar called glucose.

When blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin to reduce the sugar content in the blood. Glucose is then transported to body cells where it is converted to energy or stored for later use.

"That's what should happen. When you have diabetes, however, the body stops producing insulin or becomes unable to use the insulin it does produce. Without insulin, the glucose can't enter the cells and be used as fuel. Instead, this sugar builds up in the bloodstream, eventually ending up in the urine. In short, the blood sugar rises while the cells go hungry," explained the editors of Consumer Guide in "The Women's Book of Home Remedies."

The rise in blood sugar levels (a condition called hyperglycemia) creates a lot of problems for diabetics. It damages nerve and blood vessels, causing impotence, kidney disease, stroke, blindness, heart disease, high blood pressure, and blood flow problems leading to the amputation of the feet or legs.

Untreated, experts say one out of 2 diabetics will have a heart attack or stroke; one out of 6 will have kidney failure; and one out of 10 will be blind.

"Many men who have diabetes - perhaps as many as 60 percent - are impotent. Diabetics are more than 11 times more likely than other adults to be hospitalized for amputations. They are at risk of developing cataracts, an area of the lens that cannot transmit light, and diabetic retinopathy, which is damage to the retina," said the editors of Consumer Guide in the "Medical Book of Health Hints & Tips."

The bad news about diabetes is that patients may have no symptoms at all. When they discover that they have diabetes, it may be too late.

"Majority of diabetics may have the disease for seven years without feeling anything. During that period, they may complain of tiredness or lack of energy which most of us experience from time to time. It's only upon examination by a vigilant doctor that the disease is found," Hillhouse said.

What are the two types of diabetes - their causes and symptoms? Who are most likely to develop the disease? Find out in the second part of this series.

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