Diabetes mellitus is a medical term for diabetes that is typically marked by too much sugar in the blood. As we all know, the job of maintaining blood sugar in the normal range is assigned to insulin. This is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that works in different ways to regulate sugar in the blood. When the pancreas show its inability to release sufficient insulin, sugar levels become abnormally high and the condition is referred as diabetes mellitus type 1. In diabetes mellitus type 2, there is adequate insulin but the body does not respond to the actions of insulin. How to Treat Diabetes Mellitus The primary aim of treatment is to keep blood sugar close to normal and prevent blood sugar from escalating into the 'danger' (life-threatening) zone. It is discussed below: Healthy Diet Keeping an eye on the diet is crucial to manage diabetes in the right way. Shunning away from sugary foods like cakes, pastries and bakery products is a prerequisite to manage diabetes. Eating fruits and vegetables everyday can go a long way in keeping health in optimal condition. Also, simple carbohydrates transform into sugar at a faster rate than complex carbohydrates. Some of the good sources of complex carbohydrates that can be included in the diet are whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats and barley. The focus should be more on eating green vegetables (in the form of salads) and less on fatty foods like poultry products and red meat. Too much fat in the diet can make the body cells more resistant towards insulin activity, which can aggravate diabetes. When preparing meals avoid frying and prefer healthy cooking options such as steaming, boiling and grilling. Exercise It is said that diabetes has a negative impact on quality of life. Well, this might be true for those patients who prefer a sedentary lifestyle. With no or little exercise, sooner or later diabetes is bound to raise its 'ugly head'. It is observed that in order to carry out any physical activity, the body requires energy which it derives from sugar. Thus, through exercises like walking and cycling everyday for 30-40 minutes, one can burn sugar briskly, in turn helping to control diabetes. Insulin Therapy People affected with type 1 diabetes (insulin deficiency) are given insulin through injections. Basically, this therapy helps to increase insulin levels, necessary to regulate blood sugar. The number of injections per day will depend on how severe the diabetes is. Oral Diabetes Medicines For type 2 diabetes, oral medications that make the body more receptive to insulin, are prescribed. In some cases, the patient is advised to take insulin injections along with oral medications to control blood sugar effectively. Ileal Transposition Surgery People with severe cases of type 2 diabetes that do not respond to conventional treatment may get relief by surgical intervention. The surgical procedure, referred to as ileal transposition involves cutting the final section of the small intestine (ileum) and placing it in between the second portion of the small intestine. To put it simply, the small intestine is rearranged so as to move the ileum near the stomach. This slight modification in the structure of digestive system helps to improve the production of gastrointestinal hormone, GLP-1. This causes an increase in the number of insulin-secreting cells followed by an improvement in insulin sensitivity. All this contributes in normalizing blood sugar levels. Patients with a healthy weight are ideal to undergo ileal transposition and can even discontinue the medicine after surgery. Gastric Bypass Surgery Overweight patients suffering from severe form of type 2 diabetes may be advised for gastric bypass surgery. The main purpose of this surgery is to reduce the weight of the patient, which in turns helps to control diabetes. The procedure involves decreasing the size of the stomach and the length of the small intestine. The duodenum - the first part of the intestine - is either removed or simply separated from the stomach. The smaller stomach that can store only an ounce of food is then stitched directly to the second portion of the small intestine (jejunum). Food intake after surgery automatically reduces due to the diminished stomach size. In other words, the feeling of fullness during meals strikes early, thereby decreasing the total calorie intake. No wonder, the patient notices a substantial amount of weight loss within 2-3 months after surgery. Blood Tests Patients are often advised to undergo the A1C test from time to time that gives a clear idea about the average blood sugar levels for a specific duration. Usually, the average is calculated after measuring blood sugar levels of the last 2 months. This test clearly indicates whether the treatment plan currently adopted is effective to control diabetes or not. However, with the advent of glucometers, it is not necessary to go to a doctor's clinic to know blood sugar levels. You can easily check your blood sugar anytime you want at home by using these valuable devices. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.