They've also defined a glucose level below which a person is considered normal. "Diabetes" is the Greek word for siphon. Diabetes does not suddenly appear. To test for pre-diabetes, you need to find the blood glucose levels in your bloodstream.

They used it as a mouthwash, to prevent the formation of cavities.

Before diabetes is diagnosed, the body has already begun to manifest changes and symptoms. What Diabetes Means to You Millions of peoples have diabetes in this country.

The name diabetes mellitus has an interesting origin. The word "mellitus" is a Greek word that means sweet. At some point the Ancient Greeks discovered that when certain people drank a lot, the liquids almost immediately left their body in the form of urine - as though it were siphoned from their body. Researchers have defined a blood glucose level threshold that defines diabetes.

But even though it's one of our most devastating diseases, and many people have heard about it, not many really know what it is. So what were the ancient Greeks doing tasting urine. Hence the phrase "diabetes mellitus" or sweet flavored siphoned liquid.

Remember, this was before the name brand mouthwashes that are so popular today. Collectively these symptoms are often referred to as pre-diabetes.

They further noticed that the urine in these people tasted sweet.