The word "diabetes mellitus" may seem daunting to spell, but it can be broken down phonetically as "dye-uh-BEE-teez muh-LYE-tuhs." The first part of the word, "diabetes," is pronounced with a long "i" sound and emphasizes the second syllable. The second part, "mellitus," is pronounced with a short "u" sound and puts stress on the first syllable. This chronic condition affects glucose levels in the bloodstream and affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its challenging spelling, it's important for everyone to understand and recognize the term "diabetes mellitus."
Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition characterized by chronic high levels of blood glucose (sugar) caused by the body's inability to properly utilize or produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels.
There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, which typically begins in childhood or early adulthood, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Consequently, individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on regular insulin injections to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant or does not produce enough insulin. This form of diabetes is commonly associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can often be managed with lifestyle modifications, oral medications, or insulin therapy.
Both types of diabetes mellitus can lead to numerous complications if not managed properly. These complications may include damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Symptoms of diabetes mellitus may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Treatment for diabetes mellitus typically involves maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, monitoring blood sugar levels, and taking medication as prescribed by a healthcare professional. The goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels within a target range to prevent the development of long-term complications.
A disease of metabolism in which sugar is excreted continuously in larger or smaller quantities in the urine and is also present in the blood; the amount of urine is greatly increased, and the patient suffers from excessive thirst, sometimes bulimia, and progressive emaciation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "diabetes" comes from the Ancient Greek word "diabētēs", meaning "one who straddles a river" or "siphon" because the disease was characterized by excessive urine production and constant thirst.
The term "mellitus" comes from the Latin word "mellītus", meaning "honeyed" or "sweet". This was added to distinguish between different types of diabetes and referred to the sweetness of the urine that was observed in cases of what is now known as diabetes mellitus.