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type 2 diabetes mellitus
one of the two major types of diabetes mellitus, characterized by peak age of onset between 50 and 60 years, gradual onset
with few symptoms of metabolic disturbance, and no need for exogenous insulin; dietary control with or without oral hypoglycemic is usually effective. Obesity and genetic factors may also be present. Diagnosis is based on laboratory tests indicating glucose intolerance. Basal insulin secretion is maintained at normal or reduced levels, but insulin release is slow or inadequate in response to a rise in blood
sugar (glucose). This condition is often accompanied by disease of blood vessels, especially the large ones, which leads to premature atherosclerosis and danger of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke syndrome. This type is called also adult-onset, maturity-onset, or non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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