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The
Diabetes Dictionary (A - E)
A
acanthosis (uh-kan-THO-sis) nigricans (NIH-grih-kans):
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 (AK-er-bose):
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 (an-gee-oh-TEN-sin)
converting enzyme. For people with diabetes,
especially those who have protein (albumin) in the
urine, it also helps slow down kidney
damage.
acesulfame (a-see-SUL-fame) potassium (puh-TAS-ee-um):
a dietary sweetener with no
calories and no nutritional value. Also known as
acesulfame-K. (Brand name: Sunett.)
acetohexamide (a-see-toh-HEX-uh-myde):
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.)
acute:
describes something that happens suddenly and for a
short time. Opposite of chronic.
adhesive capsulitis (cap-soo-LITE-is):
a condition of the shoulder associated with diabetes
that results in pain and loss of the ability to move the shoulder
in all directions.
adult-onset diabetes:
former term for type 2
diabetes.
AGEs (A-G-EEZ):
stands for advanced glycosylation
(gly-KOH-sih-LAY-shun) 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 (al-BYOO-mih-NOO-ree-uh):
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 (AL-fa) cell:
a type of cell in the pancreas. Alpha
cells make and release a hormone called
glucagon. The body sends a signal to the alpha cells
to make glucagon when blood glucose falls too low.
Then glucagon reaches the liver where it tells it to
release glucose into the blood for
energy.
alpha-glucosidase (AL-fa-gloo-KOH-sih-days) 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.)
Amaryl:
see glimepiride.
amylin (AM-ih-lin):
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.
amyotrophy (a-my-AH-truh-fee):
a type of neuropathy resulting in pain,
weakness, and/or wasting in the muscles.
anemia (uh-NEE-mee-uh):
a condition in which the number of red blood cells is
less than normal, resulting in less oxygen being carried to the
body's cells.
angiopathy (an-gee-AH-puh-thee):
any disease of the blood vessels (veins,
arteries, capillaries) or lymphatic vessels.
antibodies (AN-ti-bod-eez):
proteins made by the body to protect
itself from "foreign" substances such as bacteria or viruses.
People get type 1 diabetes when their bodies make
antibodies that destroy the body's own
insulin-making beta cells.
A1C:
a test that measures a person's average blood
glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. Hemoglobin
(HEE-mo-glo-bin) 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 (gly-KOH-sih-lay-ted) 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 (an-gee-oh-TEN-sin)
receptor blocker.
arteriosclerosis (ar-TEER-ee-oh-skluh-RO-sis):
hardening of the arteries.
artery:
a large blood vessel that carries blood
with oxygen from the heart to all parts of the body.
aspart (ASS-part) insulin:
a rapid-acting insulin. On average,
aspart insulin starts to lower blood glucose within
10 to 20 minutes after injection. It has its
strongest effect 1 to 3 hours after injection but keeps working
for 3 to 5 hours after injection.
aspartame (ASS-per-tame):
a dietary sweetener with almost no
calories and no nutritional value. (Brand names:
Equal, NutraSweet.)
atherosclerosis (ATH-uh-row-skluh-RO-sis):
clogging, narrowing, and hardening of the body's large
arteries and medium-sized blood
vessels. Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke,
heart attack, eye problems, and kidney
problems.
autoimmune (AW-toh-ih-MYOON) disease:
disorder of the body's immune system in
which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys body
tissue that it believes to be foreign.
autonomic (aw-toh-NOM-ik) neuropathy (ne-ROP-uh-thee):
a type of neuropathy affecting the
lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, bladder, or
genitals.
Avandia:
see rosiglitazone.
B
background retinopathy (REH-tih-NOP-uh-thee):
a type of damage to the retina of the
eye marked by bleeding, fluid accumulation, and abnormal dilation
of the blood vessels. Background retinopathy is an
early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Also called
simple or nonproliferative (non-pro-LIF-er-uh-tiv)
retinopathy.
basal rate:
a steady trickle of low levels of longer-acting
insulin, such as that used in insulin
pumps.
beta cell:
a cell that makes insulin. Beta cells
are located in the islets of the
pancreas.
biguanide (by-GWAH-nide):
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:
the main sugar found in the blood and
the body's main source of energy. Also called blood
sugar.
blood glucose level:
the amount of glucose 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 meter
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.
blood pressure:
the force of blood exerted on the inside walls of
blood vessels. Blood pressure is expressed as a
ratio (example: 120/80, read as "120 over 80"). The first number
is the systolic (sis-TAH-lik) pressure, or the pressure when the
heart pushes blood out into the arteries. The second
number is the diastolic (DY-uh-STAH-lik) pressure, or the pressure
when the heart rests.
blood sugar:
see blood glucose.
blood sugar level:
see blood glucose level.
blood urea (yoo-REE-uh) nitrogen (NY-truh-jen) (BUN):
a waste product in the blood from the breakdown of
protein. The kidneys filter blood to
remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN
levels increase.
blood vessels:
tubes that carry blood to and from all parts of the
body. The three main types of blood vessels are
arteries, veins, and
capillaries.
BMI:
see body mass index.
body mass index (BMI):
a measure used to evaluate body weight relative to a
person's height. BMI is used to find out if a person is
underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
bolus (BOH-lus):
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.
brittle diabetes:
a term used when a person's blood glucose
level moves often from low to high and from high to
low.
BUN:
see blood urea nitrogen.
bunion (BUN-yun):
a bulge on the first joint of the big toe, caused by
the swelling of a fluid sac under the skin. This spot can become
red, sore, and infected.
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C
callus:
a small area of skin, usually on the foot, that has
become thick and hard from rubbing or pressure.
calorie:
a unit representing the energy provided by food.
Carbohydrate, protein,
fat, and alcohol provide calories in the diet.
Carbohydrate and protein have 4 calories per gram, fat has 9
calories per gram, and alcohol has 7 calories per gram.
capillary (KAP-ih-lair-ee):
the smallest of the body's blood
vessels. Oxygen and glucose pass through
capillary walls and enter the cells. Waste products such as carbon
dioxide pass back from the cells into the blood through
capillaries.
capsaicin (kap-SAY-ih-sin):
an ingredient in hot peppers that can be found in
ointment form for use on the skin to relieve pain from diabetic
neuropathy.
carbohydrate (kar-boh-HY-drate):
one of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that
provide carbohydrate are starches, vegetables,
fruits, dairy products, and sugars.
carbohydrate counting:
a method of meal planning for people with diabetes
based on counting the number of grams of
carbohydrate in food.
cardiologist (kar-dee-AH-luh-jist):
a doctor who treats people who have heart
problems.
cardiovascular (KAR-dee-oh-VASK-yoo-ler) disease:
disease of the heart and blood vessels
(arteries, veins, and
capillaries).
cataract (KA-ter-act):
clouding of the lens of the eye.
cerebrovascular (seh-REE-broh-VASK-yoo-ler) disease:
damage to blood vessels in the brain.
Vessels can burst and bleed or become clogged with fatty deposits.
When blood flow is interrupted, brain cells die or are damaged,
resulting in a stroke.
certified diabetes educator (CDE):
a health care professional with expertise in diabetes
education who has met eligibility requirements and successfully
completed a certification exam.
Charcot's (shar-KOHZ) foot:
a condition in which the joints and soft tissue in the
foot are destroyed; it results from damage to the
nerves.
cheiroarthropathy (KY-roh-ar-THRAHP-uh-thee):
see limited joint mobility.
cheiropathy (ky-RAH-puh-thee): see limited joint
mobility.
chlorpropamide (klor-PROH-pah-mide):
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.)
cholesterol (koh-LES-ter-all):
a type of fat produced by the
liver and found in the blood; it is also found in
some foods. Cholesterol is used by the body to make
hormones and build cell walls.
chronic:
describes something that is long-lasting. Opposite of
acute.
circulation:
the flow of blood through the body's blood
vessels and heart.
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 oral medicines:
a pill that includes two or more different medicines.
See Glucovance.
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:
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.
congenital (kun-JEN-ih-tul) defects: problems or
conditions that are present at birth.
congestive heart failure:
loss of the heart's pumping power, which causes fluids
to collect in the body, especially in the feet and
lungs.
conventional therapy:
a term used in clinical trials where one group
receives treatment for diabetes in which A1C and
blood glucose levels are kept at levels based on
current practice guidelines. However, the goal is not to keep
blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, as is done in
intensive therapy. Conventional therapy includes use
of medication, meal planning, and exercise, along with regular
visits to health care providers.
coronary artery disease: see coronary heart
disease.
coronary (KOR-uh-ner-ee) heart disease:
heart disease caused by narrowing of the
arteries that supply blood to the heart. If the
blood supply is cut off the result is a heart attack.
C-peptide (see-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.
creatinine (kree-AT-ih-nin):
a waste product from protein in the diet
and from the muscles of the body. Creatinine is removed from the
body by the kidneys; as kidney disease progresses,
the level of creatinine in the blood increases.
D
dawn phenomenon (feh-NAH-meh-nun):
the early-morning (4 a.m. to 8 a.m.) rise in
blood glucose level.
DCCT:
see Diabetes Control and Complications
Trial.
dehydration (dee-hy-DRAY-shun):
the loss of too much body fluid through frequent
urinating, sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting.
dermopathy (dur-MAH-puh-thee):
disease of the skin.
desensitization (dee-sens-ih-tiz-A-shun):
a way to reduce or stop a response such as an allergic
reaction to something. For example, if someone has an allergic
reaction to something, the doctor gives the person a very small
amount of the substance at first to increase one's tolerance. Over
a period of time, larger doses are given until the person is
taking the full dose. This is one way to help the body get used to
the full dose and to prevent the allergic reaction.
dextrose (DECKS-trohss), also called glucose:
simple sugar found in blood that serves
as the body's main source of energy.
DiaBeta:
see glyburide.
diabetes:
see diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT):
a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases, conducted from 1983 to 1993 in
people with type 1 diabetes. The study showed that
intensive therapy compared to conventional
therapy significantly helped prevent or delay diabetes
complications. Intensive therapy included multiple
daily insulin injections or the use of an
insulin pump with multiple blood
glucose readings each day. Complications followed in the
study included diabetic retinopathy,
neuropathy, and
nephropathy.
diabetes educator:
a health care professional who teaches people who have
diabetes how to manage their diabetes. Some diabetes educators are
certified diabetes educators (CDEs). Diabetes
educators are found in hospitals, physician offices, managed care
organizations, home health care, and other settings.
diabetes insipidus (in-SIP-ih-dus):
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 (MELL-ih-tus):
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.
Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP):
a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducted from 1998 to 2001 in
people at high risk for type 2 diabetes. All study
participants had impaired glucose tolerance, also
called pre-diabetes, and were
overweight. The study showed that people who lost 5
to 7 percent of their body weight through a low-fat, low-calorie
diet and moderate exercise (usually walking for 30 minutes 5 days
a week) reduced their risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 58
percent. Participants who received treatment with the oral
diabetes drug metformin reduced their risk of
getting type 2 diabetes by 31 percent.
diabetic diarrhea (dy-uh-REE-uh):
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 eye disease:
see diabetic retinopathy.
diabetic ketoacidosis (KEY-toe-ass-ih-DOH-sis) (DKA):
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.
diabetic myelopathy (my-eh-LAH-puh-thee):
damage to the spinal cord found in some people with
diabetes.
diabetic nephropathy: see nephropathy.
diabetic neuropathy:
see neuropathy.
diabetic retinopathy (REH-tih-NOP-uh-thee):
diabetic eye disease; damage to the small blood
vessels in the retina. Loss of vision may
result.
diabetogenic (DY-uh-beh-toh-JEN-ic):
causing diabetes. For example, some drugs cause
blood glucose levels to rise, resulting in
diabetes.
diabetologist (DY-uh-beh-TAH-luh-jist):
a doctor who specializes in treating people who have
diabetes.
Diabinese:
see chlorpropamide.
diagnosis (DY-ug-NO-sis):
the determination of a disease from its signs and
symptoms.
dialysis (dy-AL-ih-sis):
the process of cleaning wastes from the blood
artificially. This job is normally done by the
kidneys. If the kidneys fail, the blood must be
cleaned artificially with special equipment. The two major forms
of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- hemodialysis (HE-mo-dy-AL-ih-sis): the use of a
machine to clean wastes from the blood after the kidneys have
failed. The blood travels through tubes to a dialyzer
(DY-uh-LY-zur), a machine that removes wastes and extra fluid.
The cleaned blood then goes back into the body.
- peritoneal (PEH-rih-tuh-NEE-ul) dialysis: cleaning
the blood by using the lining of the abdomen as a filter. A
cleansing solution called dialysate (dy-AL-ih-sate) is infused
from a bag into the abdomen. Fluids and wastes flow through the
lining of the belly and remain "trapped" in the dialysate. The
dialysate is then drained from the belly, removing the extra
fluids and wastes from the body.
dietitian (DY-eh-TIH-shun):
a health care professional who advises people about
meal planning, weight control, and diabetes management. A
registered dietitian (RD) has more training.
dilated (DY-lay-ted) eye exam:
a test done by an eye care specialist in which the
pupil (the black center) of the eye is temporarily enlarged with
eyedrops to allow the specialist to see the inside of the eye more
easily.
DKA:
see diabetic ketoacidosis.
D-phenylalanine (dee-fen-nel-AL-ah-neen) 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.)
DPP:
see Diabetes Prevention
Program.
Dupuytren's (doo-PWEE-trenz) contracture
(kon-TRACK-chur):
a condition associated with diabetes in which the
fingers and the palm of the hand thicken and shorten, causing the
fingers to curve inward.
Dymelor:
see acetohexamide.
E
edema (eh-DEE-muh):
swelling caused by excess fluid in the
body.
electromyography (ee-LEK-troh-my-AH-gruh-fee) (EMG):
a test used to detect nerve function. It measures the
electrical activity generated by muscles.
EMG:
see electromyography.
endocrine (EN-doh-krin) gland:
a group of specialized cells that release
hormones into the blood. For example, the
islets in the pancreas, which secrete
insulin, are endocrine glands.
endocrinologist (EN-doh-krih-NAH-luh-jist):
a doctor who treats people who have endocrine
gland problems such as diabetes.
end-stage renal disease (ESRD):
see kidney failure.
enzyme (EN-zime):
protein made by the body that brings
about a chemical reaction, for example, the enzymes produced by
the gut to aid digestion.
erectile dysfunction:
see impotence.
euglycemia (you-gly-SEEM-ee-uh):
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.
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