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DM – What Does DM Mean?

By Debra Manzella, R.N., About.com

Updated May 19, 2009

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Definition: DM, or diabetes mellitus, is the full medical term for all of the different forms of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Diabetes was known even in ancient times. Although people back then didn't know what caused diabetes, they knew that it made urine and blood sweet. Hence, the word mellitus means honey, or sweet.

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