| 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. |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| beta cell | A cell that makes insulin and are located in the islets of the pancreas. |
| IDDM | Abbreviation for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. |
| ketones | A chemical produced when there is a shortage of insulin in the blood and the body breaks down body fat for energy. High levels can lead to DKA and coma |
| ketosis | A ketone buildup in the body that may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Signs of this are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. |
| liver | An organ in the body that changes food into energy, removes alcohol and poisons from the blood, and makes bile, a substance that breaks down fats and helps rid the body of wastes. |
| metabolism | The term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to store or use energy and make the proteins, fats, and sugars needed by the body. |
| mg/dL | Abbreviation for milligrams per deciliter - a unit of measure that shows the concentration of a substance in a specific amount of fluid. In the United States, blood glucose test results are reported as this |
| NIDDM | Abbreviation for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Former term for Type 2 diabetes. |
| ophthalmologist | A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats all eye diseases and eye disorders. Diabetics should see him/her once a year. |
| OGTT | Abbreviation for oral glucose tolerance test. A test to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. The test is given after an overnight fast. A blood sample is taken, and then the patient drinks a high-glucose beverage. Blood samples are taken at intervals for 2 to 3 hours. Test results are compared with a standard and show how the body uses glucose over time. |
| pancreas | An organ that makes insulin and enzymes for digestion. Is located behind the lower part of the stomach and is about the size of a hand. |
| polydipsia | Excessive thirst; may be a sign of diabetes. |
| polyphagia | Excessive hunger; may be a sign of diabetes. |
| polyuria | Excessive urination; may be a sign of diabetes. |
| postprandial blood glucose | Blood glucose level taken 1 to 2 hours after eating. |
| pre-diabetes | A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Other names are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. |
| preprandial | The blood glucose level taken before eating. |
| protein | One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide this include meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, dairy products, eggs, and dried beans. Used in the body for cell structure, hormones such as insulin, and other functions. |
| proteinuria | The presence of protein in the urine, indicating that the kidneys are not working properly. |
| renal threshold | The blood glucose concentration at which the kidneys start to excrete glucose into the urine. |
| sliding scale | A set of instructions for adjusting insulin on the basis of blood glucose test results, meals, or activity levels. |
| Type 1 diabetes | A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. |
| Type 2 diabetes | A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. |
| urinalysis | A test of a urine sample to diagnose diseases of the urinary system and other body systems. |
| vascular | Relating to the body's blood vessels. |
| ketonuria | A condition occurring when ketones are present in the urine, a warning sign of diabetic ketoacidosis. |
| IDDM | Abbreviation for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. |
| ketones | A chemical produced when there is a shortage of insulin in the blood and the body breaks down body fat for energy. High levels can lead to DKA and coma |
| ketonuria | A condition occurring when ketones are present in the urine, a warning sign of diabetic ketoacidosis. |
| ketosis | A ketone buildup in the body that may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Signs of this are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. |
| kidney failure | A chronic condition in which the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build up because these no longer work properly. |
| Kussmaul breathing | The rapid, deep, and labored breathing of people who have diabetic ketoacidosis. |
| LDL | Abbreviation for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A fat found in the blood that takes cholesterol around the body to where it is needed for cell repair and also deposits it on the inside of artery walls. Sometimes called "bad" cholesterol. |
| lipodystrophy | Defect in the breaking down or building up of fat below the surface of the skin, resulting in lumps or small dents in the skin surface. May be caused by repeated injections of insulin in the same spot. |
| liver | An organ in the body that changes food into energy, removes alcohol and poisons from the blood, and makes bile, a substance that breaks down fats and helps rid the body of wastes. |
| macrovascular disease | Disease of the large blood vessels, such as those found in the heart. Lipids and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels and can cause atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. |
| metabolism | The term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to store or use energy and make the proteins, fats, and sugars needed by the body. |
| mg/dL | Abbreviation for milligrams per deciliter - a unit of measure that shows the concentration of a substance in a specific amount of fluid. In the United States, blood glucose test results are reported as this |
| microalbuminuria | The presence of small amounts of albumin, a protein, in the urine. This is an early sign of kidney damage, or nephropathy, a common and serious complication of diabetes. |
| microvascular disease | Disease of the smallest blood vessels, such as those found in the eyes, nerves, and kidneys. The walls of the vessels become abnormally thick but weak. Then they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood to the cells. |
| nephropathy | Disease of the kidneys. Hyperglycemia and hypertension can damage the kidneys' glomeruli. When the kidneys are damaged, protein leaks out of the kidneys into the urine. Damaged kidneys can no longer remove waste and extra fluids from the bloodstream. |
| neuropathy | Disease of the nervous system. The three major forms in people with diabetes are peripheral, autonomic, and mono. The most common form is peripheral, which affects mainly the legs and feet. |
| NIDDM | Abbreviation for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Former term for Type 2 diabetes. |
| ophthalmologist | A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats all eye diseases and eye disorders. Diabetics should see him/her once a year. |
| OGTT | Abbreviation for oral glucose tolerance test. A test to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. The test is given after an overnight fast. A blood sample is taken, and then the patient drinks a high-glucose beverage. Blood samples are taken at intervals for 2 to 3 hours. Test results are compared with a standard and show how the body uses glucose over time. |
| pancreas | An organ that makes insulin and enzymes for digestion. Is located behind the lower part of the stomach and is about the size of a hand. |
| peripheral neuropathy | Nerve damage that affects the feet, legs, or hands. Causes pain, numbness, or a tingling feeling. |
| PVD | Abbreviation for peripheral vascular disease. A disease of the large blood vessels of the arms, legs, and feet. May occur when major blood vessels in these areas are blocked and do not receive enough blood. The signs of this disease are aching pains and slow-healing foot sores. |
| polydipsia | Excessive thirst; may be a sign of diabetes. |
| polyphagia | Excessive hunger; may be a sign of diabetes. |
| polyuria | Excessive urination; may be a sign of diabetes. |
| postprandial blood glucose | Blood glucose level taken 1 to 2 hours after eating. |
| pre-diabetes | A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Other names are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. |
| preprandial | The blood glucose level taken before eating. |
| protein | One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide this include meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, dairy products, eggs, and dried beans. Used in the body for cell structure, hormones such as insulin, and other functions. |
| proteinuria | The presence of protein in the urine, indicating that the kidneys are not working properly. |
| renal threshold | The blood glucose concentration at which the kidneys start to excrete glucose into the urine. |
| sliding scale | A set of instructions for adjusting insulin on the basis of blood glucose test results, meals, or activity levels. |
| Somogyi effect | Also called rebound hyperglycemia. When the blood glucose level swings high following hypoglycemia. This effect may follow an untreated hypoglycemic episode during the night and is caused by the release of stress hormones. |
| triglyceride | The storage form of fat in the body. High levels may occur when diabetes is out of control. |
| Type 1 diabetes | A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. |
| Type 2 diabetes | A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. |
| urea | A waste product found in the blood that results from the normal breakdown of protein in the liver. Is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine. |
| urinalysis | A test of a urine sample to diagnose diseases of the urinary system and other body systems. |
| vascular | Relating to the body's blood vessels. |
| VLDL | Abbreviation for very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A form of cholesterol in the blood; high levels may be related to cardiovascular disease. |
