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Definition of Growth-onset diabetes
1. Noun. Severe diabetes mellitus with an early onset; characterized by polyuria and excessive thirst and increased appetite and weight loss and episodic ketoacidosis; diet and insulin injections are required to control the disease.
Terms within: Diabetic Acidosis, Ketoacidosis
Generic synonyms: Diabetes Mellitus, Dm, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder
Medical Definition of Growth-onset diabetes
1. A chronic condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin because the beta cells have been destroyed. The body is then not able to use the glucose (blood sugar) for energy. IDDM usually comes on abruptly, although the damage to the beta cells may begin much earlier. The signs of IDDM are a great thirst, hunger, a need to urinate often, and loss of weight. To treat the disease, the person must inject insulin, follow a diet plan, exercise daily, and test blood glucose several times a day. IDDM usually occurs in children and adults who are under age 30. This type of diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetes, and ketosis-prone diabetes. (09 Oct 1997)