Diabetes
Information — Blood Sugar Levels — Diabetes
Care Medical Dictionary
A diagnosis of diabetes means a new way of life:
Eating a meal or planning your activities for
the day now requires forethought and planning
in order to keep blood sugar levels at healthy
levels. This medical dictionary covers the terms
used in the report, Diabetes: A Plan for
Living, and includes details on types of
diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes diets and
treatment, and how to monitor your blood sugar
level.
alpha cells: Cells that secrete
the hormone glucagon; located in the islets of
Langerhans of the pancreas.
autonomic neuropathy: Nerve
damage that affects the autonomic nervous system,
which controls digestive, bladder, bowel, cardiac,
and sexual function.
beta cells: Cells that make
and secrete insulin; located in the islets of
Langerhans of the pancreas.
cataract: An increased thickening
and clouding of the lens of the eye that can
lead to vision loss.
diabetic ketoacidosis: A dangerous
condition in which the blood becomes acidic due
to a buildup of ketones; it arises during severe
insulin deficiency.
diabetic retinopathy: A degenerative
eye disorder in which small blood vessels in
the retina initially leak and subsequently become
blocked. Very fragile new vessels develop, but
they ultimately bleed and cause scarring.
fasting plasma glucose test: A
blood test that determines the amount of glucose
in the blood after an overnight fast of at least
eight hours; a measure at or above 126 mg/dL
indicates diabetes.
gestational diabetes mellitus: A
form of diabetes that has its onset during pregnancy,
usually in the last trimester.
glaucoma: A disorder characterized
by excessive fluid pressure within the eyeball;
can occur as a complication of diabetes.
glucagon: A hormone produced
by the alpha cells of the pancreas that increases
the concentration of glucose in the blood.
glucose: A six-carbon sugar
that serves as a main source of fuel for our
bodies.
glycosylated hemoglobin test: A
blood test that reflects average blood sugar
levels over the preceding two to three months
by measuring the amount of glucose adhering to
hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. The
product formed by the attachment of glucose to
hemoglobin is known as HbA1c.
hyperglycemia: An abnormally
high level of glucose in the blood.
hypoglycemia: A condition in
which the blood sugar drops to an abnormally
low level.
impaired fasting glucose: A
condition diagnosed with a fasting glucose test;
blood glucose levels are higher than normal but
not yet diabetic.
impaired glucose tolerance: A
condition similar to impaired fasting glucose
(see previous entry), but diagnosed with an oral
glucose tolerance test.
insulin: An anabolic (growth-promoting)
hormone produced by the beta cells in the pancreas;
it directs the passage of glucose, amino acids,
and fatty acids into cells and promotes their
storage.
insulin resistance: A reduced
sensitivity to insulin’s action; underlies
type 2 diabetes and can contribute to hyperglycemia.
islets of Langerhans: Clusters
of hormone-producing cells, including alpha and
beta cells, that appear throughout the pancreas.
ketones: By-products of fat
metabolism.
lactic acidosis: Rare but potentially
lethal condition in which blood lactic acid levels
increase.
oral glucose tolerance test: A
two-part test that first measures blood glucose
levels after an overnight fast, and then two
hours after consumption of a sugary solution;
sometimes used in conjunction with fasting plasma
glucose test.
pancreas: An elongated gland
that produces digestive enzymes and manufactures
hormones, including insulin and glucagon, which
are central to the metabolism of sugar, fat,
and protein.
peripheral neuropathy: Damage
to the long nerves radiating from the spine to
the arms and legs.
peripheral vascular disease: A
disorder caused by the blockage of blood vessels
to the brain and extremities.
pre-diabetes: A condition in which
a fasting plasma glucose test and/or an oral glucose
tolerance test provide readings that are elevated,
but not quite diabetic; raises the risk of diabetes.
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