Historical Introduction

Historical Introduction:

Diabetes mellitus or ‘Madhumeham’ has been known for centuries as a disease related to poor functioning of the Pancreatic gland . Person with diabetes have to much sugar in blood and urine. However, there is no need to worry, since diabetes can be kept under control with certain changes in the lifestyle, food intake, exercise & regular intake of prescribed medicines.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that prevents the body to utilise glucose completely or partially. It is characterized in the blood and alteration in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. This can be due to failure in the formation of insulin or liberation or action.

Few Facts You Should Know
  • India is world's Diabetes Capital
  • Diabetes is a killer disease
  • Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes.
  • In 2025, 80% of all cases of diabetes will be in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Diabetes is not a old age disease.
  • 80% of Type 2 diabetes is preventable


Since insulin is produced by the Beta cells of the islets of langerhans, any receding in the number of functioning cells will decrease the amount of insulin that can be synthesised. Many diabetics can produce sufficient insulin but some stimulus to the islets tissue is needed in order that secretion can take place.

“Diabetes Mellitus is a word derived form Greek word Diabetes which means Siphon, Mellitus means Sweet i.e, “ flowering of sweet liquid.”