|
The
Diabetes Dictionary (T-Z)
U
UKPDS:
see United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes
Study.
ulcer (UL-sur):
a deep open sore or break in the skin.
ultralente (UL-truh-LEN-tay) insulin:
long-acting insulin. On average,
ultralente insulin starts to lower blood glucose
within 4 to 6 hours after injection. It has its
strongest effect 10 to 18 hours after injection but keeps working
24 to 28 hours after injection. Also called U insulin.
unit of insulin:
the basic measure of insulin. U-100
insulin means 100 units of insulin per milliliter (mL) or cubic
centimeter (cc) of solution. Most insulin made today in the United
States is U-100.
United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS):
a study in England, conducted from 1977 to 1997 in
people with type 2 diabetes. The study showed that
if people lowered their blood glucose, they lowered
their risk of eye disease and kidney damage. In
addition, those with type 2 diabetes and
hypertension who lowered their blood
pressure also reduced their risk of stroke,
eye damage, and death from long-term
complications.
U-100:
see unit of insulin.
urea (yoo-REE-uh):
a waste product found in the blood that results from
the normal breakdown of protein in the
liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by
the kidneys and then excreted in the
urine.
uremia (yoo-REE-mee-ah):
the illness associated with the buildup of
urea in the blood because the kidneys
are not working effectively. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting,
loss of appetite, weakness, and mental confusion.
urine:
the liquid waste product filtered from the blood by
the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and expelled
from the body by the act of urinating.
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.
urologist (yoo-RAH-luh-jist):
a doctor who treats people who have urinary tract
problems. A urologist also cares for men who have problems with
their genital organs, such as impotence.
V
vascular (VAS-kyoo-ler):
relating to the body's blood
vessels.
vein:
a blood vessel that carries blood to the
heart.
very-long-acting insulin:
a type of insulin that starts to lower blood
glucose within 1 hour after injection and
keeps working evenly for 24 hours after injection. See
glargine insulin.
very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol:
a form of cholesterol in the blood; high
levels may be related to cardiovascular
disease.
vitrectomy (vih-TREK-tuh-mee):
surgery to restore sight in which the surgeon removes
the cloudy vitreous humor in the eye and replaces it
with a salt solution.
vitreous (VIH-tree-us) humor:
the clear gel that lies behind the eye's lens and in
front of the retina.
VLDL cholesterol:
see very-low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol.
void:
to urinate; to empty the bladder.
W
wound care:
steps taken to ensure that a wound such as a foot
ulcer heals correctly. People with diabetes need to
take special precautions so wounds do not become
infected.
X
xylitol (ZY-lih-tall):
a carbohydrate-based sweetener found in
plants and used as a substitute for sugar; provides
calories. Found in some mints and chewing
gum.
|
