Guide To Diabetes Terms
acanthosis nigricans
a skin condition characterized by darkened skin patches; common in people
whose body is not responding correctly to the insulin that they make in
their pancreas (insulin resistance). This skin condition is also seen
in people who have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
acarbose
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It blocks the enzymes
that digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in
blood glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. Belongs
to the class of medicines called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. (Brand
name: Precose.)
ACE inhibitor:
an oral medicine that lowers blood pressure; ACE stands for angiotensin
converting enzyme. For people with diabetes, especially those who have
protein (albumin) in the urine, it also helps slow down kidney damage.
acetohexamide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas.
(Brand name: Dymelor.)
adhesive capsulitis:
a condition of the shoulder associated with diabetes that results in pain
and loss of the ability to move the shoulder in all directions.
AGEs:
stands for advanced glycosylation endproducts. AGEs are produced in the
body when glucose links with protein. They play a role in damaging blood
vessels, which can lead to diabetes complications.
albuminuria:
a condition in which the urine has more than normal amounts of a protein
called albumin. Albuminuria may be a sign of nephropathy (kidney disease).
alpha-glucosidase inhibitor:
a class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that blocks enzymes that
digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in blood
glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. (Generic names:
acarbose and miglitol.)
amylin:
a hormone formed by beta cells in the pancreas. Amylin regulates the timing
of glucose release into the bloodstream after eating by slowing the emptying
of the stomach.
A1C:
a test that measures a person's average blood glucose level over the past
2 to 3 months. Hemoglobin is the part of a red blood cell that carries
oxygen to the cells and sometimes joins with the glucose in the bloodstream.
Also called hemoglobin A1C or glycosylated hemoglobin, the test shows
the amount of glucose that sticks to the red blood cell, which is proportional
to the amount of glucose in the blood.
ARB:
an oral medicine that lowers blood pressure; ARB stands for angiotensin
receptor blocker.
biguanide:
a class of oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes that lowers blood
glucose by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and by
helping the body respond better to insulin. (Generic name: metformin.)
blood glucose level:
the amount of glucose (the main sugar found in the blood and the body's
main source of energy) in a given amount of blood. It is noted in milligrams
in a deciliter, or mg/dL.
blood glucose meter:
a small, portable machine used by people with diabetes to check their
blood glucose levels. After pricking the skin with a lancet, one places
a drop of blood on a test strip in the machine. The meter (or monitor)
soon displays the blood glucose level as a number on the meter's digital
display.
blood glucose monitoring:
checking blood glucose level on a regular basis in order to manage diabetes.
A blood glucose meter (or blood glucose test strips that change color
when touched by a blood sample) is needed for frequent blood glucose monitoring.
borderline diabetes:
a former term for type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
brittle diabetes:
a term used when a person's blood glucose level moves often from low to
high and from high to low.
carb counting:
a method of meal planning for people with diabetes based on counting the
number of grams of carbohydrate in food.
chlorpropamide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
levels by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body
better use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called
sulfonylureas. (Brand name: Diabinese.)
coma:
a sleep-like state in which a person is not conscious. May be caused by
hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
in people with diabetes.
combination therapy:
the use of different medicines together (oral hypoglycemic agents or an
oral hypoglycemic agent and insulin) to manage the blood glucose levels
of people with type 2 diabetes.
complications of diabetes:
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.
C-peptide:
"Connecting peptide," a substance the pancreas releases into
the bloodstream in equal amounts to insulin. A test of C-peptide levels
shows how much insulin the body is making.
dextrose, also called glucose:
simple sugar found in blood that serves as the body's main source of energy.
diabetes insipidus:
a condition characterized by frequent and heavy urination, excessive thirst,
and an overall feeling of weakness. This condition may be caused by a
defect in the pituitary gland or in the kidney. In diabetes insipidus,
blood glucose levels are normal.
diabetes mellitus:
a condition characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from the body's inability
to use blood glucose for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer
makes insulin and therefore blood glucose cannot enter the cells to be
used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make
enough insulin or the body is unable to use insulin correctly.
diabetic diarrhea:
loose stools, fecal incontinence, or both that result from an overgrowth
of bacteria in the small intestine and diabetic neuropathy in the intestines.
This nerve damage can also result in constipation.
diabetic myelopathy:
damage to the spinal cord found in some people with diabetes.
diabetic retinopathy:
diabetic eye disease; damage to the small blood vessels in the retina.
Loss of vision may result.
diabetogenic:
causing diabetes. For example, some drugs cause blood glucose levels to
rise, resulting in diabetes.
diabetologist:
a doctor who specializes in treating people who have diabetes.
D-phenylalanine derivative:
a class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose
levels by helping the pancreas make more insulin right after meals. (Generic
name: nateglinide.)
euglycemia:
a normal level of glucose in the blood.
exchange lists:
one of several approaches for diabetes meal planning. Foods are categorized
into three groups based on their nutritional content. Lists provide the
serving sizes for carbohydrates, meat and meat alternatives, and fats.
These lists allow for substitution for different groups to keep the nutritional
content fixed.
fasting blood glucose test:
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.
fructosamine test:
measures the number of blood glucose molecules linked to protein molecules
in the blood. The test provides information on the average blood glucose
level for the past 3 weeks.
fructose:
a sugar that occurs naturally in fruits and honey. Fructose has 4 calories
per gram.
gastroparesis:
a form of neuropathy that affects the stomach. Digestion of food may be
incomplete or delayed, resulting in nausea, vomiting, or bloating, making
blood glucose control difficult.
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM):
a type of diabetes mellitus that develops only during pregnancy and usually
disappears upon delivery, but increases the risk that the mother will
develop diabetes later. GDM is managed with meal planning, activity, and,
in some cases, insulin.
glimepiride:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas.
(Brand name: Amaryl.)
glipizide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas.
(Brand names: Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL.)
glucagon:
a hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas. It raises blood
glucose. An injectable form of glucagon, available by prescription, may
be used to treat severe hypoglycemia.
glucose:
one of the simplest forms of sugar.
glucose tablets:
chewable tablets made of pure glucose used for treating hypoglycemia.
Glucovance:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of
glyburide and metformin.
glyburide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas.
(Brand names: DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase; ingredient in Glucovance.)
glycemic index:
a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods, based on the food's effect
on blood glucose compared with a standard reference food.
glycogen:
the form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.
glycosuria:
the presence of glucose in the urine.
honeymoon phase:
temporary remission of hyperglycemia that occurs in some people newly
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, when some insulin secretion resumes for
a short time, usually a few months, before stopping again.
human leukocyte antigens (HLA):
proteins located on the surface of the cell that help the immune system
identify the cell either as one belonging to the body or as one from outside
the body. Some patterns of these proteins may mean increased risk of developing
type 1 diabetes.
hyperglycemia:
excessive blood glucose. Fasting hyperglycemia is blood glucose above
a desirable level after a person has fasted for at least 8 hours. Postprandial
hyperglycemia is blood glucose above a desirable level 1 to 2 hours after
a person has eaten.
hyperlipidemia:
higher than normal fat and cholesterol levels in the blood.
hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS):
an emergency condition in which one's blood glucose level is very high
and ketones are not present in the blood or urine. If HHNS is not treated,
it can lead to coma or death.
hypoglycemia:
a condition that occurs when one's blood glucose is lower than normal,
usually less than 70 mg/dL. Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness,
perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness, and confusion.
If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness. Hypoglycemia
is treated by consuming a carbohydrate-rich food such as a glucose tablet
or juice. It may also be treated with an injection of glucagon if the
person is unconscious or unable to swallow. Also called an insulin reaction.
hypoglycemia unawareness:
a state in which a person does not feel or recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
People who have frequent episodes of hypoglycemia may no longer experience
the warning signs of it.
IDDM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus):
former term for type 1 diabetes.
impaired fasting glucose (IFG):
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. IFG, 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.
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT):
a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are
not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IGT, 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 for IGT that are no longer
used are "borderline," "subclinical," "chemical,"
or "latent" diabetes.
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM):
former term for type 1 diabetes.
insulinoma:
a tumor of the beta cells in the pancreas. An insulinoma may cause the
body to make extra insulin, leading to hypoglycemia.
intramuscular injection:
inserting liquid medication into a muscle with a syringe. Glucagon may
be given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection for hypoglycemia.
islet cell autoantibodies (ICA):
proteins found in the blood of people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
They are also found in people who may be developing type 1 diabetes. The
presence of ICA indicates that the body's immune system has been damaging
beta cells in the pancreas.
juvenile diabetes:
former term for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or type 1
diabetes.
ketoacidosis:
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
DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor, and rapid
breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death.
ketone:
a chemical produced when there is a shortage of insulin in the blood and
the body breaks down body fat for energy. High levels of ketones can lead
to diabetic ketoacidosis and coma. Sometimes referred to as ketone bodies.
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 ketosis are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Kussmaul breathing:
the rapid, deep, and labored breathing of people who have diabetic ketoacidosis.
latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA):
a condition in which type 1 diabetes develops in adults.
macrosomia:
abnormally large; in diabetes, refers to abnormally large babies that
may be born to women with diabetes.
maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY):
a kind of type 2 diabetes that accounts for 1 to 5 percent of people with
diabetes. Of the six forms identified, each is caused by a defect in a
single gene.
meglitinide:
a class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin right after meals. (Generic
name: repaglinide.)
metabolic syndrome:
the tendency of several conditions to occur together, including obesity,
insulin resistance, diabetes or pre-diabetes, hypertension, and high lipids.
metformin:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and helping the
body respond better to the insulin made in the pancreas. Belongs to the
class of medicines called biguanides. (Brand names: Glucophage, Glucophage
XR; an ingredient in Glucovance.)
mg/dL:
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 mg/dL. Medical journals and other
countries use millimoles per liter (mmol/L). To convert to mg/dL from
mmol/L, multiply mmol/L by 18. Example: 10 mmol/L × 18 = 180 mg/dL.
microaneurysm:
a small swelling that forms on the side of tiny blood vessels. These small
swellings may break and allow blood to leak into nearby tissue. People
with diabetes may get microaneurysms in the retina of the eye.
miglitol:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It blocks the enzymes
that digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in
blood glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. Belongs
to the class of medicines called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. (Brand
name: Glyset.)
mixed dose:
a combination of two types of insulin in one injection. Usually a rapid-
or short-acting insulin is combined with a longer acting insulin (such
as NPH insulin) to provide both short-term and long-term control of blood
glucose levels.
mmol/L:
millimoles per liter, a unit of measure that shows the concentration of
a substance in a specific amount of fluid. In most of the world, except
for the United States, blood glucose test results are reported as mmol/L.
In the United States, milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is used. To convert
to mmol/L from mg/dL, divide mg/dL by 18. Example: 180 mg/dL ÷
18 = 10 mmol/L.
nateglinide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
levels by helping the pancreas make more insulin right after meals. Belongs
to the class of medicines called D-phenylalanine derivatives. (Brand name:
Starlix.)
neuropathy:
disease of the nervous system. The three major forms in people with diabetes
are peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and mononeuropathy. The
most common form is peripheral neuropathy, which affects mainly the legs
and feet.
noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM):
former term for type 2 diabetes.
noninvasive blood glucose monitoring:
measuring blood glucose without pricking the finger to obtain a blood
sample.
oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT):
a test to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. The oral glucose tolerance
test is given by a health care professional after an overnight fast. A
blood sample is taken, 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.
oral hypoglycemic agents:
medicines taken by mouth by people with type 2 diabetes to keep blood
glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Classes of oral hypoglycemic
agents are alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, D-phenylalanine derivatives,
meglitinides, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones.
pioglitazone:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps insulin take
glucose from the blood into the cells for energy by making cells more
sensitive to insulin. Belongs to the class of medicines called thiazolidinediones.
(Brand name: Actos.)
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:
the 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. People with pre-diabetes
are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease
and stroke. Other names for pre-diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance
and impaired fasting glucose.
preprandial blood glucose:
the blood glucose level taken before eating.
proinsulin:
the substance made first in the pancreas and then broken into several
pieces to become insulin.
rebound hyperglycemia:
a swing to a high level of glucose in the blood after a low level. See
Somogyi effect.
renal threshold of glucose:
the blood glucose concentration at which the kidneys start to excrete
glucose into the urine.
repaglinide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin right after meals. Belongs to
the class of medicines called meglitinides. (Brand name: Prandin.)
rosiglitazone:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps insulin take
glucose from the blood into the cells for energy by making cells more
sensitive to insulin. Belongs to the class of medicines called thiazolidinediones.
(Brand name: Avandia.)
Somogyi effect, also called rebound hyperglycemia:
when the blood glucose level swings high following hypoglycemia. The Somogyi
effect may follow an untreated hypoglycemic episode during the night and
is caused by the release of stress hormones.
starch:
another name for carbohydrate, one of the three main nutrients in food.
sucrose:
a two-part sugar made of glucose and fructose. Known as table sugar or
white sugar, it is found naturally in sugar cane and in beets.
sugar:
1. A class of carbohydrates with a sweet taste; includes glucose, fructose,
and sucrose. 2. A term used to refer to blood glucose.
sugar alcohols:
sweeteners that produce a smaller rise in blood glucose than other carbohydrates.
Their calorie content is about 2 calories per gram. Includes erythritol,
hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol,
sorbitol, and xylitol. Also known as polyols.)
sugar diabetes:
former term for diabetes mellitus.
sulfonylurea:
a class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. (Generic names: acetohexamide, chlorpropamide,
glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolazamide, tolbutamide.)
thiazolidinedione:
a class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that helps insulin take glucose
from the blood into the cells for energy by making cells more sensitive
to insulin. (Generic names: pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.)
tolazamide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas.
(Brand name: Tolinase.)
tolbutamide:
an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better
use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas.
(Brand name: Orinase.)
type 1 diabetes:
a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total
lack of insulin. Occurs when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing
beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces
little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people
but can appear in adults.
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.
Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but
can appear in young people.
urine testing:
also called urinalysis; a test of a urine sample to diagnose diseases
of the urinary system and other body systems. In people with diabetes,
a doctor may check for
1. Glucose, a sign of diabetes or other diseases.
2. Protein, a sign of kidney damage, or nephropathy. (Also see albuminuria.)
3. White blood cells, a sign of urinary tract infection.
4. Ketones, a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis or other conditions.
Urine may also be checked for signs of
bleeding. Some tests use a single urine sample. For others, 24-hour collection
may be needed. And sometimes a sample is "cultured" to see exactly
what type of bacteria grows.
weight loss for diabetics:
Weight loss is an important therapeutic objective for patients with type
2 diabetes. Clinical evidence shows that weight reduction in type 2 diabetics
is associated with decreased insulin resistance, improved measures of
glycemia and dyslipidemia and reduced blood pressure.
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