Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death: Warning signs of diabetes

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, best known for her roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl' was found dead in a New York City apartment on Feb. 26. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has now announced the cause of death. The medical examiner's office confirmed that she died of natural causes from complications of diabetes mellitus. Though the officials did not perform a post-mortem examination, the results came after the toxicology tests. The autopsy wasn't performed, reportedly due to religious reasons.

The NYPD responded to a 911 call on Feb. 26, around 8 in the morning, at the luxe apartment in the Columbus Circle area. The actress was found 'unconscious and unresponsive'' when they arrived. Trachtenberg's mother was the one to find her and call 911, as per the police sources. The actress was announced dead at the scene.

Michelle Trachtenberg’s death has raised awareness about the diabetes mellitus. In the US about 38 million adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don't know they have it. So it is very important to look at the warning signs. Diabetes is also the eighth leading cause of death. Among Americans, it is the no. 1 cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness. Something often dismissed by many as a simple lifestyle disease could have a far more reaching impact on your health, and even be fatal.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes also known as diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, which occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. One of the common effects of uncontrolled diabetes is hyperglycemia, a condition where blood glucose or blood sugar is raised. Over time, it seriously damages many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels, and leads to serious illnesses such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

According to the CDC, there is no cure for diabetes yet, however, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can help. There are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.

Here are some warning signs of diabetes you should never ignore.

• Urinating a lot, often at night
  
• Feeling very thirsty
  
• Lose weight without trying
  
• Feeling hungry
  
• Have blurry vision
  
• Have numb or tingling hands or feet
  
• Feel very tired
  
• Have very dry skin
  
• Have sores that heal slowly
  
• Have more infections than usual
  

Individuals with type 1 diabetes may also experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains.

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What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. About 1 in 3 adults in the US have prediabetes. More than 8 in 10 aren't aware of it. Prediabetes raises your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are preventable with lifestyle changes.