diabetes mellitus: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 2, 2026

News •

Diabetes medication may lower heart attack and stroke risk by curbing platelet overactivation • Oct. 28, 2026, 2:20 PM ET (Medical Xpress)

Everyone’s going on — and off — GLP-1s. What’s that doing to your health? • Oct. 27, 2026, 12:59 PM ET (CBC)

Tackling diabetes with an electronic implant: How a tiny catalyst lowers blood sugar • Oct. 23, 2026, 10:20 AM ET (Medical Xpress)

Diabetes and ADHD drugs to be tested on Alzheimer's patients in new study • Oct. 21, 2026, 7:02 PM ET (BBC)

Scientists link a strange sugar in red meat to a 63% higher diabetes risk • Oct. 18, 2026, 9:10 AM ET (Science Daily)

Photos and Videos

An anatomical illustration of the human pancreas shows its location near the stomach and intestines, a detailed cross-section highlighting ducts and the islet of Langerhans, and an inset of pancreatic tissue histology with labeled alpha, beta, and delta cells.

A person uses a self-testing glucose meter, holding the device and applying a drop of blood from their fingertip to a test strip.

Blood glucose meter with test strip, insulin vial, syringe, lancing device, and test strips.

Visual complications of diabetes

Learn about the types of diabetes and the advancement in treating the disease

Learn about type I and type II diabetes mellitus, the genetic and environmental risk factors and ways to manage it

How was the leptin protein in mice discovered and how has it benefited diabetes and obesity treatment in humans?

How are different systems of the human body connected?

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Topics

diabetic ketoacidosis semaglutide non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus gestational diabetes mellitus Endocrine system pancreas Insulin Chronic kidney disease antidiabetic drug cardiovascular disease cancer nutritional disease respiratory disease AIDS malaria tuberculosis Alzheimer disease pancreatic cancer influenza

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Key People

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Joseph, Freiherr von Mering

German physician

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Oskar Minkowski

German physiologist

Sir Frederick Grant Banting.

Sir Frederick Grant Banting

Canadian physician

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Eugene Lindsay Opie

American pathologist

Best

Charles H. Best

American physiologist

A Yorkshire terrier dressed up as a veterinarian or doctor on a white background. (dogs)

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