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A Timeline Of The History Of DiabetesThe history of diabetes is fascinating, as diabetes is an ancient disease with a compelling story. With more and more Americans being diagnosed with diabetes every year, and no end to this trend in sight, it is important to learn as much as possible about this disease. To understand the history of diabetes, a brief understanding of the disease is helpful. What Is Diabetes?Diabetes mellitus, commonly called diabetes, is a disorder where the patient has unusually high blood sugar levels and an erratic metabolism. The high blood sugar levels are caused either by low levels of the hormone insulin or by resistance to insulin's effects, plus insufficient levels of secreted insulin. Diabetes symptoms include excessive urination, excessive thirst, increased fluid intake, and blurred vision. Timeline Of Diabetes HistoryAccording to the timeline of diabetes history, the history of diabetes begins shortly after the birth of Christ. First century B.C. – Ancient Greek physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia coins the term diabetes, meaning "one who straddles" or "siphon." Both terms are appropriate for a disease where patients must pass excessive amounts of urine. Ancient times – Ancient Indians call diabetes "sweet urine disease," and observe whether ants are attracted to urine as a test for diabetes. 1425 – The word diabete is first recorded in English in a medical text. |