Diabetic Glossary

A1C — A test that sums up how much glucose has been sticking to part of the hemoglobin during the past 3 to 4 months. Hemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that supplies oxygen to the cells of the body. The AIC goal for patients in general is an AIC goal of less than 7%. The AIC goal for the individual patient is an AIC as close to 6% as possible without a considerable amount of low blood glucose.

Beta Cells — Cells that make insulin. Beta cells are found in areas of the pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans.

Blood Glucose — The main sugar that the body makes from the food we eat. Glucose is carried through the bloodstream to provide energy to all of the body’s living cells. The cells cannot use glucose without the help of insulin.

Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring Machine — A way for people with diabetes to find out how much glucose is in their blood. A drop of blood from the fingertip is placed on a special coated strip of paper that “reads” (often through an electronic meter) the amount of glucose in the blood.

Blood Pressure — The force of the blood against the artery walls. Two levels of blood pressure are measured:
the highest, or systolic, occurs when the heart pumps blood into the blood vessels, and the lowest, or diastolic, occurs when the heart rests.

Blood Sugar — See Blood Glucose.

Carbohydrates — One of three main groups of foods in the diet that provide calories and energy. (Protein and fat are the others.) Carbohydrates are mainly sugars (simple carbohydrates) and starches (complex carbohydrates, found in bread, pasta, beans) that the body breaks down into glucose.

Cholesterol — A substance similar to fat that is found in the blood, muscles, liver, brain, and other body tissues. The body produces and needs some cholesterol. However, too much cholesterol can make fats stick to the walls of the arteries and cause a disease that decreases or stops circulation.

Dehydration — The loss of too much body fluid through frequent urinating, sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Diabetes Mellitus (commonly called Diabetes) -  Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make, or does not properly use, insulin. The result is that your body doesn’t get the energy it needs, and unmetabolized glucose (undigested sugar), builds up in your blood causing damage to the body and its systems.

Diabetes Pills — Pills or capsules that are taken by mouth to help lower the blood glucose level. These pills may work for people whose bodies are still making insulin in type 2 diabetes.

Dialysis — A method for removing waste from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do the job.

Dilated Eye Exam — Eye drops are placed in the eyes to widen the pupils to see the retina better. The eye doctor will look for changes in the retina in the back of the eyes.

EKG (Electrocardiogram) — A test that measures the heart’s action.

Endocrinologist - A physician who specializes in the field of diabetes, thyroid disorders and growth problems.

Gestational Diabetes — A type of diabetes that can occur in pregnant women who have not been known to have diabetes before.

GFR (Glumerular Filtration Rate) – A measure of the kidney’s ability to filter and remove waste products. It is the best test to measure kidney function and stage of kidney disease.

Gingivitis — A swelling and soreness of the gums that, without treatment, can cause serious gum problems and disease.

Glucagon — A hormone that raises the blood glucose level.

Glucose — Glucose is a form of sugar our bodies produce when the body digests carbohydrates. Glucose is the body’s major fuel for the energy it needs. When insulin is absent or ineffective, the blood glucose level increases. High blood glucose levels can lead to both short and long-term problems.

Heart Attack — Damage to the heart muscle caused when the blood vessels supplying the muscle are blocked, such as when the blood vessels are clogged with fats (a condition sometimes called hardening of the arteries).

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) — A combined protein and fat like substance. Low in cholesterol, it usually passes freely through the arteries. Sometimes called “good cholesterol.”

High Blood Glucose — A condition that occurs in people with diabetes when their blood glucose levels are too high. Symptoms include having to urinate often, being very thirsty, and losing weight.

High Blood Pressure — A condition where the blood circulates through the arteries with too much force. High blood pressure tires the heart, harms the arteries, and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems.

Hormone — A chemical that special cells in the body release to help other cells work. For example, insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas to help the body use glucose as energy.

Hyperglycemia — See High Blood Glucose.

Hypertension — See High Blood Pressure.

Hypoglycemia — See Low Blood Glucose.

Insulin — A hormone that helps the body use the energy from sugar, starches and other foods. The beta cells of the pancreas make insulin. When people with diabetes can’t make enough insulin, they may have to inject it from another source.

Ketoacidosis — High blood glucose with the presence of ketones in the urine and bloodstream, often caused by taking too little insulin or during illness.

Ketones — Chemical substances that the body makes when it doesn’t have enough insulin in the blood. When ketones build up in the body for a long time, serious illness or coma can result.

Kidney Disease — Fluids and harmful wastes build up because the kidneys no longer work properly.

Kidney Organ — Twin organs found in the lower part of the back. The kidneys purify the blood of all waste and harmful material. They also control the level of some helpful chemical substances in the blood.

Laser Surgery — Surgery that uses a strong ray of special light, called a laser, to treat damaged parts of the body. Laser surgery can help treat some diabetic eye diseases.

Low Blood Glucose — A condition that occurs in people with diabetes when their blood glucose levels are too low. Symptoms include feeling anxious or confused, feeling numb in the arms and hands, and shaking or feeling dizzy.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) — A combined protein and fatlike substance. Rich in cholesterol, it tends to stick to the walls in the arteries. Sometimes called “bad cholesterol.”

Microalbumin — A protein found in blood plasma and urine. The presence of microalbumin in the urine can be a sign of kidney disease.

Nerve Damage — Damage to the nerves of a person with diabetes. Nerve damage may affect the feet and hands, as well as major organs.

Pancreas — An organ in the body that makes insulin so that the body can use glucose for energy. The pancreas also makes enzymes that help the body digest food.

Periodontitis — A gum disease in which the gums shrink away from the teeth. Without treatment, it can lead to tooth loss.

Retinopathy — An eye disease of the small blood vessels of the retina of the eye in people with diabetes. In this disease, the vessels swell and leak liquid into the retina, blurring the vision and sometimes leading to blindness.

Stroke — Damage to a part of the brain that happens when the blood vessels supplying that part are blocked, such as when the blood vessels are clogged with fats (a condition sometimes called hardening of the arteries).

Type 1 Diabetes — A condition in which the pancreas makes so little insulin that the body can’t use blood glucose as energy. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day.

Type 2 Diabetes — A condition in which the body either makes too little insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes to use blood glucose as energy. All people with diabetes need to eat healthy foods stay at a healthy weight and be active everyday. People with type 2 often need to diabetes have to take diabetes pills or insulin. type 2 diabetes is the most common from of diabetes.