diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈme-lə-təs How to pronounce diabetes mellitus (audio)
: a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight compare type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

Examples of diabetes mellitus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Types of Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes mellitus (diabetes), which accounts for 95% of all diabetes cases.3 There are four subtypes of type 2 diabetes, which include:4 Severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD): This subtype represents about 18% of cases. Maggie O'Neill, Health, 22 Dec. 2023 Half of the people who experience chronic fatigue for several months or years have also had one or more of the following diagnoses: infections, anemia, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus or cancer. Emily Mendenhall, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Other research has suggested that a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a wide range of health risks that include: cardiovascular disease, cancer risk, metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and even depression and cognitive impairment. Lauryn Higgins, Health, 1 Nov. 2023 Weight loss injections are prescription-only medicines that are designed to help individuals lose weight and manage metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023 There are even rarer causes of diabetes mellitus, some of which are likely in lean or even underweight people. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 5 July 2023 Vitiligo is also sometimes associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, alopecia areata, systemic lupus erythematosus, and celiac disease. Emily Kirkpatrick, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023 The drug is designed to treat patients with heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 29 June 2023 Such conditions include cancer, heart issues such as heart failure or coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, solid organ transplant, obesity or severe obesity, sickle cell disease or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Peggy O’Hare, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Feb. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diabetes mellitus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin diabētēs mellītus, literally, "honey-sweet diabetes," referring to the smell and taste of sugar in the urine

Note: See note at diabetes insipidus.

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabetes mellitus was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near diabetes mellitus

Cite this Entry

“Diabetes mellitus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabetes%20mellitus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun
diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs How to pronounce diabetes mellitus (audio)
: an abnormal bodily condition in which less than the normal amount of insulin is produced, greater than normal amounts of urine are produced, and large amounts of sugar are contained in the blood and urine and which is marked especially by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight

Medical Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun
diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs How to pronounce diabetes mellitus (audio)
: a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight see type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

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