DIABETES II

A-1C Test... See glycated hemoglobin test.

Adult-Onset Diabetes. See Type Two (2) Diabetes.

Albumin... A protein found in animal and plant tissues. Its presence in urine is one sign of kidney disease, which can be a complication of diabetes.

Alpha Cell... A type of cell in the pancreas that makes and releases a hormone called glucagon, which signals the liver to release glucose into the blood to use for energy.

Autoimmune Response... A reaction of the body to one or more of its own tissues perceived as foreign substances. Results in production of antibodies against the tissue. Type One (1) diabetes is an autoimmune disease.

Basal Rate... A steady supply of insulin, such as that provided with an insulin pump

Beta Cell... A cell that makes insulin. It resides in masses of tissue in the pancreas called islets. See islet cells.

Blood Glucose... The main energy or fuel for the body, obtained from food or made by the liver. Glucose is carried through the bloodstream to provide energy to all of the body's living cells... Also called glucose, dextrose or blood sugar.

Blood Glucose Level... The amount of glucose in a given amount of blood. It's reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Levels consistently 126 mg/dL or higher when fasting indicate diabetes. Also called blood sugar level.

Blood Glucose Monitor... A small, portable computerized device that measures and displays blood sugar levels. After pricking the skin with a needle (lancet), a drop of blood is placed on a test strip and read by the machine. The monitor displays the blood sugar level as a number. Also called a blood glucose meter.

Blood Sugar... See Blood Glucose.

Blood Sugar Level. See Blood Glucose Level.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)... A waste product in the blood from the breakdown of protein. The kidneys filter blood and remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.

Bolus... An extra amount of insulin taken to compensate for an expected rise in blood glucose, often after eating.

Borderline Diabetes... See impaired glucose tolerance.

Brittle Diabetes... Diabetes that's difficult to control because of rapid, unpredictable swings in blood sugar levels. Occurs most commonly with Type ONE (1 )diabetes.

Creatinine... A substance excreted in urine. Urine and blood creatinine levels can be used to help evaluate kidney function.

D to F

Dextrose... See Glucose.

Diabetes... A disease in which the body's production and use of insulin is impaired, causing sugar to build up in the bloodstream. There are many types of diabetes, but the most common are Type One (1,) Type Two (2) and Gestational. Also called diabetes mellitus (MEL-lih-tuhs).

Diabetes Insipidus... An uncommon condition caused by inability of the kidneys to conserve water as they filter waste from the blood, leading to increased urination and excess thirst. Despite the similarities in symptoms and name, diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus aren't related.

Diabetes Mellitus... See Diabetes.

Diabetic Coma... A condition in which a person becomes unconscious and unresponsive because of extremely high or low blood sugar.

Diabetic Eye Disease... See Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis... A serious condition in which very high blood sugar levels, along with a lack of insulin, force the body to break down fat for energy. That produces an increased level of toxic acids (Ketones) in the blood and can lead to coma or death if untreated. See also Ketones.

Diabetic kidney Disease... Damage to the cells or blood vessels of the kidneys that prevents them from properly filtering wastes and extra fluid from the bloodstream. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure (end-stage renal disease). Also called Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic Nerve Damage... A complication of diabetes, resulting from high blood sugar, that causes damage to nerves and blood vessels in the feet, hands and major organs. Also called Neuropathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy... A complication of diabetes that damages the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the back part of the eye (retina). It's caused by high blood sugar levels. The vessels swell and leak liquid into the retina, resulting in blurred vision and sometimes blindness.

Fasting Blood Glucose Test... A check of the blood sugar level after fasting for 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight). This test is used to diagnose and monitor borderline diabetes and diabetes.

Food Exchange... One portion of a type of food. The exchange system of eating is a tool people with diabetes use to help follow a special meal plan in which foods are categorized by food group and serving size, such as starches and vegetables.

Fructose... A sugar found naturally in fruit, corn syrup and honey. It has four calories per gram.

G to H

Gangrene... The death of body tissue, usually from lack of blood flow or infection.

Gastroparesis... A form of neuropathy that damages the nerves of the stomach, impairing function. Digestion can be incomplete or delayed, resulting in nausea, vomiting or bloating, and making blood sugar control difficult.

Gestational Diabetes... Diabetes that develops during pregnancy because of improper regulation of blood sugar. It usually goes away after delivery, but can raise the woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.

Gingivitis... A common gum disease, characterized by swelling and soreness of the gums, inflammation and bleeding. Without treatment, it can cause serious gum problems and other disease.

Glucagon... A pancreatic hormone that releases the body's stored sugar (glycogen) from the liver into the blood, raising the blood sugar level. An injectable form can treat severe low blood sugar.

Glucose... See Blood Glucose.

Glucose tolerance test... See Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.

Glycated hemoglobin test... A test that measures average glycated hemoglobin over the past Two (2) to tHREE (3) months to see how well diabetes is being controlled.It measures the amount of sugar attached to hemoglobin molecules. Also called A-1C test, hemoglobin A-1C test or Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test. See also Hemoglobin.

Glycemic index... A ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods, based on the food's effect on blood sugar compared with a standard reference food's effect.

Glycogen... Sugar stored in the liver.

Glycosuria... The presence of sugar in urine.

Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test... See Glycated Hemoglobin Test.

Hemoglobin... A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.

Hemoglobin A-1C test... See Glycated Hemoglobin Test.

High blood sugar... See Hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia (hi-pur-gli-SE-me-uh)... An excessive amount of sugar in the bloodstream, usually 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher. Also called high blood sugar.

Hyperinsulinemia... A condition in which the level of insulin in the blood is higher than normal, caused by overproduction of insulin. See also Insulin.

Hyperosmolar syndrome... A condition in which blood sugar reaches such a high level that blood becomes thick and syrupy. Occurs when blood sugar is 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher.

Hypoglycemia (hi-po-gli-SE-me-uh)... A condition in which sugar in the bloodstream falls below normal amounts, less than 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Also called low blood sugar.

I to K

Impaired Fasting Glucose... Blood sugar values during fasting that are above normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance... A condition associated with excessive elevation in blood sugar after a meal but not meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes. Blood sugar is between 111 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)and 125 mg/dL. Also called Borderline Diabetes and Prediabetes.

Inhaled insulin... Insulin composed of fine particles or in powdered form that is inhaled into the lungs.

Insulin... A hormone that enables the body to use blood sugar for energy and regulate the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. It's made by the beta cells of the pancreas.

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes... See Type One (1) Diabetes.

Insulinoma... A tumor of the beta cells in the pancreas. It can produce excessive insulin and lead to hypoglycemia.

Insulin Pen... A device for injecting insulin. It looks like a pen, but with replaceable cartridges that hold insulin. Insulin is injected with a fine needle.

Insulin Pump... A device for delivering insulin. The pump is worn outside the body, usually attached to a belt or waistband. Insulin is pumped from a reservoir through a catheter inserted under the skin of the abdominal wall.

Insulin Reaction... A condition in people with diabetes who take insulin, resulting in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) because of excess insulin or inadequate carbohydrate intake.

Insulin Resistance... A condition in which the body doesn't respond to insulin properly. It's often linked to obesity, hypertension and high levels of fat in the blood.

Intensive Therapy.... A treatment for diabetes intended to keep blood sugar within a normal or near-normal range by frequent monitoring of blood sugar,a combination of different types of insulin, and adjusting doses based on blood sugar levels, diet and changes in routine.

Islet Cells (I-lut)... A group of cells in the pancreas that makes hormones that help regulate blood glucose metabolism. Also called Islets of Langerhans.

Islet Cell Transplantation... Transplanting islet cells from a donor pancreas into a person whose pancreas has stopped making insulin, in the hopes of curing diabetes.

Islets of Langerhans... See Islet Cells.

Ketoacidosis... See Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Ketones (KE-tones)... Acidic substances produced when the body uses fat, instead of sugar, for energy.

Ketonuria... A condition that occurs when ketones are present in the urine,a warning sign of ketoacidosis. See also Ketones and Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Ketosis... A buildup of ketones in the body, as in a response to fasting. Can Lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

L to P

Lancet... A small device that pricks the skin of a finger to obtain a drop of blood for blood sugar testing.

Lipids... Fats, such as those found in the bloodstream.

Lipoatrophy... Loss of fat under the skin, causing small indentations. It can be caused by repeatedly injecting insulin in the same spot. It can affect the way insulin is absorbed if severe.

Lipohypertrophy... Accumulation of fat below skin, causing lumps. It can be caused by repeatedly injecting insulin in the same spot. Usually not of medical concern unless it becomes severe.

Low Blood Sugar... See Hypoglycemia.

Meal Plan... A guide to healthy eating for people with diabetes. It's designed to help people choose the right kinds and amount of food, including carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Metabolic Syndrome... A cluster of conditions that often occur together, including obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high triglycerides, which can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Nephropathy (nuh-FROP-uh-the)...See Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Neuropathy (noo-ROP-uh-the)... See Diabetic Nerve Damage.

Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes... See Type TWO (2) Diabetes.

Obesity... Above-normal body weight, usually defined as more than 20 percent above what's considered healthy for people of a certain age, height and bone structure.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test... A test to diagnose borderline diabetes and early diabetes. The test requires fasting overnight, then drinking a high-glucose beverage. Blood samples are taken every hour for several hours to see how well the body uses sugar.

Pancreas... A gland that produces hormones that control blood glucose and enzymes essential to the digestion of food. It contains the islet cells, which secrete insulin and other hormones into the blood.

Pancreas Transplantation... A surgical procedure in which a healthy whole or partial pancreas from a donor is transplanted into a person with diabetes, in the hopes of curing the diabetes.

Peripheral Vascular Disease... A disease of the blood vessels of the arms, legs and feet. It can occur when major blood vessels are blocked and tissues don't get enough blood.

Postprandial Blood Glucose... A measure of the blood sugar level taken One (1) to two (2) hours after eating.

Prediabetes... See Borderline Diabetes.

Preprandial Blood Glucose... A measure of the blood sugar level taken before eating.

Proteinuria... The presence of protein in urine, indicating that the kidneys have suffered some damage, although in the early stages they can still function properly.

Q to Z

Renal... Relating to the kidneys.

Retinopathy... See Diabetic Retinopathy. Saccharin... A sweetener with no calories and no nutritional value.

Secondary Diabetes... A type of diabetes caused by another disease or certain drugs or chemicals.

(*)Splenda... A sweetener made from sugar. It has no calories and no nutritional value.

Sucralose... A sweetener made from sugar. It has no calories and no nutritional value.

Sucrose... The simple sugar processed from sugar cane and sugar beets. It's commonly known as table sugar or white sugar. One tablespoon has about 50 calories. It has no nutritional value.

Type One (1) Diabetes... An autoimmune disease in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin, resulting in an abnormally high blood sugar level. Formerly known as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes.

Type Two (2) Diabetes... A disease in which the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin, resulting in an abnormally high blood sugar level. This is the most common form of diabetes. Formerly called Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes or Adult-Onset Diabetes.

Ulcer... An open sore on the surface of an organ or tissue of the body, such as the feet.

Urea... The main nitrogen-containing waste product in urine, arising from protein metabolism. Its concentration in blood can be used as a measure of kidney function.

Uremia... Excessive urea in the bloodstream.