Glossary
diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a disorder where insufficient vasopressin, a hormone produced by the brain that instructs kidneys to retain water, exists. The net effect resembles diabetes mellitus only in that the patient drinks and passes large amounts of water.
diabetes mellitus
A chronic metabolic disorder where a lack of insulin secretion and/or an increased cellular resistance to insulin results in elevated blood levels of glucose. There are two types of diabetes mellitus, Type I (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset) which is caused by an autoimmune response and Type II (non-insulin dependent or adult-onset). Type II is the more common form and accounts for almost 90% of all cases.
Complications include damage to the eyes, nervous system, kidneys, as well as the vascular system. There is no cure for this disorder, but there are methods to control it, including a proper diet, regular exercise, and insulin (if required).
diaphoretic
An agent, or medicine, that promotes perspiration.
diuretic
An agent, or medicine, that lowers the blood pressure by promoting fluid loss, by urination.
duodenum
The proximal portion of the small intestine, between the stomach and the jejenum. Interestingly, the word originates from the Latin duodenarius meaning twelve, as in twelve finger-breadths long.
