| A | B |
|---|
| blood glucose | The amount of glucose in a given amount of blood. It is noted in milligrams in a deciliter, or mg/dL. |
| beta cell | A cell that makes insulin and are located in the islets of the pancreas. |
| bolus | An extra amount of insulin taken to cover an expected rise in blood glucose, often related to a meal or snack. |
| borderline diabetes | A former term for Type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. |
| C-peptide | A substance the pancreas releases into the bloodstream in equal amounts to insulin. A test for this substance levels shows how much insulin the body is making. |
| carbohydrate | One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods include starches, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and sugars. |
| cardiovascular disease | Disease of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries). |
| cholesterol | A type of fat produced by the liver and found in the blood; it is also found in some foods. Is used by the body to make hormones and build cell walls. |
| coma | A sleep-like state in which a person is not conscious. May be caused by hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. |
| complications | Harmful effects of diabetes such as damage to the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nervous system, teeth and gums, feet and skin, or kidneys. Studies show that keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels close to normal can help prevent or delay these problems. |
| creatinine | A waste product from protein in the diet and from the muscles of the body. Is removed from the body by the kidneys; as kidney disease progresses, the levels in the blood increase. |
| dehydration | The loss of too much body fluid through frequent urinating, sweating, diarrhea or vomiting. |
| glucose | Simple sugar found in blood that serves as the body's main source of energy. |
| ketoacidosis (DKA) | An emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of include nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor and rapid breathing. Untreated can lead to coma and death. |
| retinopathy | Diabetic eye disease; damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Loss of vision may result. |
| Enzyme | Protein made by the body that brings about a chemical reaction, for example, the ones produced by the gut to aid digestion. |
| Edema | Swelling caused by excess fluid in the body. |
| exchange lists | One of several approaches for diabetes meal planning. Foods are categorized into three groups based on their nutritional content. |
| fasting blood glucose | A check of a person's blood glucose level after the person has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight). This test is used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. It is also used to monitor people with diabetes. |
| fat | One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods include butter, margarine, salad dressing, oil, nuts, meat, poultry, fish and some dairy products. One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods include fat butter, margarine, salad dressing, oil, nuts, meat, poultry, fish and some dairy products. |
| glucagon | A hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas. It raises blood glucose. An injectable form, available by prescription, may be used to treat severe hypoglycemia. |
| glucose | One of the simplest forms of sugar. |
| glycogen | The form of glucose found in the liver and muscles. |
| glycosuria | The presence of glucose in the urine. |
| HDL cholesterol | Stands for high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. A fat found in the blood that takes extra cholesterol from the blood to the liver for removal. Sometimes called "good" cholesterol. |
| heredity | The passing of a trait from parent to child. |
| hyperglycemia | Excessive blood glucose. |
| hyperinsulinemia | A condition in which the level of insulin in the blood is higher than normal. Caused by overproduction of insulin by the body. Related to insulin resistance. |
| hyperlipidemia | Higher than normal fat and cholesterol levels in the blood. |
| HHNS | Stands for hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome. An emergency condition in which one's blood glucose level is very high and ketones are not present in the blood or urine. If not treated, it can lead to coma or death. |
| hypoglycemia | A condition that occurs when one's blood glucose is lower than normal. |
| IFG | Stands for impaired fasting glucose. A condition in which a blood glucose test, taken after an 8- to 12-hour fast, shows a level of glucose higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Also called pre-diabetes, is a level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL. Most people with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. |
| IGT | Stands for impaired glucose tolerance a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Also called pre-diabetes, is a level of 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL 2 hours after the start of an oral glucose tolerance test. Most people with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Other names that are no longer used are "borderline," "subclinical," "chemical," or "latent" diabetes. |
| insulin | A hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. |
| insulin pump | An insulin-delivering device about the size of a deck of cards that can be worn on a belt or kept in a pocket. Releases bolus doses of insulin at meals and at times when blood glucose is too high, based on programming done by the user. |
| insulin receptors | Areas on the outer part of a cell that allow the cell to bind with insulin in the blood. When the cell and insulin bind, the cell can take glucose from the blood and use it for energy. |
| insulin resistance | The body's inability to respond to and use the insulin it produces. May be linked to obesity, hypertension, and high levels of fat in the blood. |
| A1C | A test that measures a person's average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. |
| albuminuria | A condition in which the urine has more than normal amounts of a protein called albumin. May be a sign of nephropathy (kidney disease). |
| alpha cell | A type of cell in the pancreas. These cells make and release glucagon. The body sends a signal to these cells to make glucagon when blood glucose falls too low. When glucagon reaches the liver it tells the liver to release glucose into the blood for energy. |
| amylin | A hormone formed by beta cells in the pancreas. Regulates the timing of glucose release into the bloodstream after eating by slowing the emptying of the stomach. |
| arteriosclerosis | Hardening of the arteries. |
| atherosclerosis | Clogging, narrowing and hardening of the body's large arteries and medium-sized blood vessels. Can lead to stroke, heart attack, eye problems and kidney problems. |
| blood urea nitrogen (BUN) | A waste product in the blood from the breakdown of protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove this substance. As kidney function decreases, this substance levels increase. |
