Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a medical disorder characterized by varying or persistent hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) resulting from the defective secretion or action of the hormone insulin. There are several kinds of diabetes mellitus, but most are rare. The most common types are 1) type 1 diabetes (previously called juvenile onset diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus -- IDDM) is characterized by decreased or absent production of insulin, and 2) type 2 diabetes (previously called adult onset diabetes, obesity related diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus -- NIDDM), which is characterized by body tissue resistance to insulin action, though decreased secretion of insulin can also occur concomitantly. Type 2 is by far the most common form, especially in developed countries. Excerpt of "Diabetes mellitus" Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 19 Mai 2006, 11:23 UTC. 21 Jan 2006, 16:30 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus
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