Type II diabetes mellitus is also referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or adult onset diabetes mellitus. In type II diabetes, patients can still produce insulin, but do so inadequately. Over many years, if left untreated, diabetes mellitus can lead to very severe problems, including blindness, kidney failure, cardiovascular complications and nerve damage. The early symptoms of untreated diabetes mellitus are related to elevated blood sugar levels, and loss of glucose in the urine. High amounts of glucose in the urine can cause increased urine output and lead to dehydration.
Dehydration causes increased thirst and water consumption.
I diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type II diabetes mellitus is first treated with weight reduction, a low sugar diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered. Adherence to a diabetic diet is an important aspect of controlling elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus.