Final answer:
Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly, encompassing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, which are characterized by high blood glucose levels and require different management approaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease where the pancreas produces too little insulin or the body does not properly use insulin is known as diabetes mellitus. This condition is characterized by high blood glucose levels and includes two main types: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, leading to an inadequate production of insulin. Conversely, Type 2 diabetes involves a state of insulin resistance, where body cells do not use insulin effectively despite its production, often influenced by obesity and lifestyle factors.
Type 1 diabetes typically manifests in childhood or adolescence and is an autoimmune disorder. The destruction of insulin-secreting cells necessitates regular monitoring of blood glucose and the administration of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, more common in adults, is related to lifestyle factors, such as high sugar and fat diets, which leads to an increased prevalence even in younger populations.