About
"Diabetes Mellitus"
Diabetes Mellitus (pronounced /daɪəˈbiːtiːz/ or /ˌmɛlɪˈtaɪ.əs/), often simply referred to as diabetes—is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).
Etymology
The term "diabetes" is derived from the Greek word διαβαίνειν, diabaínein that literally means "passing through," or "siphon", a reference to one of diabetes' major symptoms—excessive urine production. The word "mellitus" comes from the classical Latin word for sweet, a reference to the excess sugar found in the blood and urine of people with diabetes.
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
There are three main types of diabetes mellitus:
- Type 1 Diabetes: results from the body's failure to produce insulin. This form was previously referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes".
- Type 2 Diabetes: results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. This form was previously referred to as non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes".
- Gestational Diabetes: is when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. It may precede development of type 2 DM.
Related Terms
- Insulin: A hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. The lack of insulin causes a form of diabetes.
- Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
- Pancreas: A glandular organ in the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach. It is an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on About
- Wikipedia's article - About
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