Final answer:
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition marked by metabolic problems due to issues with insulin action or production. It leads to high blood glucose levels and can have severe health consequences if not managed. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, often associated with insulin resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by problems in the metabolism of glucose due to dysfunction of insulin production, secretion, or the target cells' responsiveness to insulin. In people with this condition, despite the presence of abundant glucose in the bloodstream, cells are unable to utilize it efficiently. This leads to the body resorting to the breakdown of fats, resulting in the release of fatty acids and the overproduction of ketone bodies, which can cause a state called ketoacidosis.
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 90% of all diabetes cases, is a multifactorial disorder. It typically arises from insulin resistance and can be exacerbated by impaired insulin production. Risk factors include obesity and metabolic syndrome. The condition can escalate to serious health issues like heart attacks, blindness, and kidney failure if poorly managed.
Biochemically, when cells are unable to use glucose, energy production shifts towards the use of amino acids and fats, leading to an excess production of ketone bodies, a state referred to as diabetic ketosis. This can lower the pH of plasma and lead to complications if not managed properly with interventions like insulin to restore normal glucose use.