Final answer:
Cushing's disease is the condition with symptoms that mimic diabetes mellitus, mainly due to the hypersecretion of cortisol leading to high blood glucose levels, which is a common feature of diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease with symptoms that mimic diabetes mellitus is Cushing's disease. Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels, which is also a feature of Cushing's disease due to the hypersecretion of cortisol. Cortisol has many functions, one of which is the increase of blood glucose levels. Cushing's disease, often caused by a pituitary tumor, leads to excessive production of ACTH and subsequently cortisol. Symptoms include high blood glucose levels, rapid weight gain on the face and neck (moon face), a buffalo hump on the back of the neck, and lipid deposits. These signs and symptoms overlap with diabetes, as both can result in elevated glucose levels, but they have different underlying causes. Addison's disease, on the other hand, results from the hyposecretion of cortisol and often presents with symptoms like low blood glucose levels, weight loss, and cravings for salty food. It doesn't mimic diabetes directly but getting the condition diagnosed can be challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms.