from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
diabetes \di`a*be"tes\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ? to pass or
cross over. See {Diabase}.] (Med.)
Any of several diseases which is attended with a persistent,
excessive discharge of urine; when used without
qualification, the term usually refers to {diabetes
mellitus}. The most common form is {diabetes mellitus}, in
which the urine is not only increased in quantity, but
contains saccharine matter, and the condition if untreated is
generally fatal.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The two major subtypes recognized are
{diabetes insipidus} and
{diabetes mellitus}. In {diabetes insipidus} there is
excretion of large amounts of urine of relatively low
density, accompanied by extreme thirst, but the urine
contains no abnormal constituent. The more serious form
{diabetes mellitus} (from Latin mellitus, sweetened with
honey) is a metabolic disease in which the utilization of
carbohydrate is reduced and that of lipids and proteins is
increased. This form is caused by a deficiency in insulin
(which is mostly formed in the pancreas), and may be
accompanied by glucosuria, hyperglycemia, elecrolyte loss,
ketoacidosis, and sometimes coma. It has severe long-term
effects, including damage to the nerves, the retina, and
the kidney, and degeneration of blood vessels which may
lead to poor circulation, especially in the limbs,
subsequent infection, and eventual loss of limbs.
Diabetes mellitus itself has recognized variants, being
divided into {insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus} and
{non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus}.
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is also called
{adult-onset diabetes} (abbreviated NIDDM), and is the
less severe form of diabetes mellitus, occurring mostly in
obese individuals over the age of 35. It may be treated by
diet and oral hypoglycemic agents, though occasionally
serious degenerative effects may develop.
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (abbreviated IDDM),
also called {type I diabetes}, is a severe form of the
disease, usually starting when the affected person is
young (hence also called {juvenile-onset diabetes}). In
addition to the increased urine (polyuria) common to all
forms of diabetes, this form is characterized by low
levels of insulin in the blood, ketoacidosis, increased
appetite, and increased fluid intake, and may lead to
weight loss and eventually the severe degenerative effects
mentioned above. Treatment requires administration of
insulin and careful regulation of the diet. --Stedman
[PJC]
{Diabetes mellitus} [NL., sweet diabetes], that form of
diabetes in which the urine contains saccharine matter.
{Diabetes insipidus} [NL., lit., diabetes], the form of
diabetes in which the urine contains no abnormal
constituent. Diabetic