diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈme-lə-təs 

: 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

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

Diabetes, specifically type 1 diabetes mellitus, is an autoimmune illness impacting the production of insulin. —Joe Shen, Forbes, 15 Nov. 2021

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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

Kids Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs 

: 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 

: 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