maturity-onset diabetes mellitus
Noun: A chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) that develops gradually, typically in adulthood. It is often associated with insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, and sometimes with relative insulin deficiency. Unlike more severe forms, it can frequently be managed through lifestyle modifications and oral medications, without initially requiring insulin injections.
This is a medical term used to describe a specific type of diabetes. It is often used in clinical, healthcare, and patient education contexts. - The doctor diagnosed him with maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. - Management of maturity-onset diabetes mellitus often begins with dietary changes and exercise.
- The term is often used synonymously with Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in modern classification, though "maturity-onset" specifically highlights its typical onset in adulthood.
- It is frequently discussed in contrast to juvenile-onset diabetes (Type 1 diabetes), which usually has a sudden onset in childhood or adolescence and requires insulin therapy.
- Type 2 diabetes (n): The more common contemporary term for this condition.
- Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (n): An older clinical term emphasizing that insulin injections are not always required for treatment.
- Adult-onset diabetes (n): A descriptive synonym highlighting the typical age of onset.
- Hyperglycemia (n): The condition of having high blood sugar, a key feature of this disorder.
- Insulin resistance (n): A primary underlying mechanism of this form of diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes
- Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
- Adult-onset diabetes
- Manage maturity-onset diabetes: To control the condition through treatment.
- He learned to manage his maturity-onset diabetes with a careful diet.
- Onset of maturity-onset diabetes: The beginning or development of the condition.
- The onset of maturity-onset diabetes can be insidious and go unnoticed for years.
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mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults; can be precipitated by obesity or severe stress or menopause or other factors; can usually be controlled by diet and hypoglycemic agents without injections of insulin
