Diabetes Glossary

a    b    c    d    e    f    g    h    i    j    k    l    m    n    o    p    q    r    s    t    u    v    w    x    y    z

b 

beta cells   cells that make insulin.  These cells are found in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. 

blood glucose meter    a hand-held machine that tests blood glucose levels.  A drop of blood (obtained by pricking a finger) is placed on a small strip that is inserted in the meter.  The meter calculates and displays the blood glucose level.

c

carbohydrate    one of three major sources of calories in the diet.  Carbohydrate comes primarily from sugar (simple carbohydrate) and starch (complex carbohydrate, found in pasta, bread, beans).  Carbohydrate is broken down into glucose during digestion an is the main nutrient that raises blood glucose levels.

d

DCCT    the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.  This was a 10-year study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.  Over 1,400 people with type 1 diabetes followed either conventional therapy (usually, two insulin injections a day) or intensive therapy (multiple daily injections or an insulin pump).  the study proved that tight blood glucose control reduces the risk of diabetic complications.

diabetes    a disease in which the body cannot produce insulin or cannot use insulin to its full potential.  It is characterized b high blood glucose levels.

e

exchanges    food groups used in the ADA, The American Dietetic Association Exchange Lists for Meal Planning.  There are seven basic groups:  Starch, Other Carbohydrates, Meat and Meat Substitutes, Vegetable, Fruit, Milk, and Fat.  Any food in a given group can be exchanged for any other food in that group in the appropriate amount.

g

gestational diabetes    diabetes that develops during pregnancy.  The mother's blood glucose rises due to hormones secreted during pregnancy, and the mother cannot produce enough insulin to handle the higher blood glucose levels.  Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, about 60 percent of women who've had gestational diabetes eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

glucose    a simple form of sugar that acts as the body's fuel.  It is produced when foods are broken down in the digestive system.  Glucose is carried by the blood to cells.  The amount of glucose in the blood is known as the blood glucose level.

glycohemoglobin    a test that reflects average blood glucose control for about 2 to 3 months before the test.  One such test is the hemoglobin A1c.

h

hyperglycemia    a condition in which blood glucose levels are too high (greater than 160 mg/dl).  Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss.

hypoglycemia    (or insulin reaction) a condition in which blood glucose levels drop too low (generally, below 70 mg/dl).  Symptoms include moodiness, numbness in the arms and hands, confusion, and shakiness or dizziness.  When left untreated, this condition can become severe and lead to unconsciousness.

i

impaired fasting glucose    a condition, determined by a fasting plasma glucose test, in which a person's blood glucose levels are above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic.  It isn't considered a form of diabetes, but people with this condition are at an increased risk for developing diabetes and blood vessel disease.

insulin    a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose.  It is the "key" that unlocks the "doors" to cells and allows glucose to enter.  The glucose then fuels the cells.

insulin resistance    a condition in which the body does not respond to insulin properly.  This is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes.

k

ketoacidosis    (or diabetic coma) a severe condition caused by a lack of insulin or an elevation in stress hormones.  It is marked by high blood glucose levels and ketones in the urine, and occurs almost exclusively in those with type 1 diabetes.

ketones    acids produced when the body breaks down fat for fuel.  This occurs when there is not enough insulin to permit glucose to enter the cells and fuel them or when there are too many stress hormones.

m

mg/dl    milligrams per deciliter.  This is the unit of measure used when referring to blood glucose levels.

n

nephropathy    kidney damage.  This condition can be life-threatening.  when kidneys fail to function, dialysis (filtering blood through a machine) or kidney transplantation becomes necessary.

neuropathy    damage to the nerves.  Neuropathies are often broken down into two categories.  Peripheral neuropathies affect the nerves controlling sensation (and less commonly, muscles) in the feet, hands, and joints.  Autonomic neuropathies affect the nerve function of various organs, including those of the digestive system and urinary tract.

p

pancreas    a comma-shaped gland located just behind the stomach.  It produces enzymes for digesting food and hormones that regulate the use of fuels in the body, including insulin and glucagon.  In a fully functioning pancreas, insulin is released through beta cells located in clusters called islets of Langerhans.

r    

retinopathy    damage to small blood vessels in the eye that can lead to vision problems.  In background retinopathy, the blood vessels bulge and leak fluids into the retina and may cause blurred vision.  Proliferative retinopathy is more serious and can cause vision loss.  In this condition, new blood vessels form in the retina and branch out to other areas of the eye.  This can cause blood to leak into the clear fluid inside the eye and can also cause the retina to detach.

s

sugar    a form of carbohydrate that provides calories and raise blood glucose levels.  There are a variety of sugars, such as white, brown, confectioner's, invert, and raw.  Fructose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, dextrose, glucose, honey, corn syrup, molasses, and sorghum are also sugars.

sugar substitutes    sweeteners used in place of sugar.  Note that some sugar substitutes have calories and will affect blood glucose levels, such as fructose (a sugar, but often used in "sugar-free" products) and sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol.  Others have very few calories and will not affect blood glucose levels, such as saccharin, acesulfame-K, and aspartame (NutraSweet).

t

type 1 diabetes    a form of diabetes that tends to develop before age 30 but may occur at any age.  It's caused by an immune system attack on the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.  When the cells are destroyed, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin.  People who have type 1 diabetes must take insulin to survive.

type 2 diabetes    This form of diabetes usually occurs in people over 40 years of age but may develop in younger people, especially in minorities.  Most people who develop type 2 diabetes are insulin resistant.  However, some simply cannot produce enough insulin to meet their bodies' needs, and others have a combination of these problems.  Many people with type 2 diabetes control the disease through diet and exercise, but some must also take oral medications or insulin.

u

urine tests    tests that measure substances in the urine.  Urine tests for blood glucose provide a general idea of a person's blood glucose level several hours before the test.  Urine tests for ketones are the only tests that measure ketones an are important in preventing ketoacidosis.