Definition of Diabetes

Diabetes:Usually refers todiabetes mellitusor, less often, to diabetes insipidus.Diabetesmellitus anddiabetesinsipidus share the name "diabetes" because they are both conditions characterized by excessive urination (polyuria).

The word "diabetes" is from the Greek word meaning "a siphon" because people with diabetes "passedwaterlike a siphon."

When "diabetes" is used alone, it refers to diabetes mellitus. The two main types of diabetes mellitus --insulin-requiring type 1 diabetes and adult-onsettype 2 diabetes -- are distinct and different diseasesinthemselves.