Glucose
a simple sugar
found in the blood. It is the body's main source of
energy; also known as dextrose
Glucose Tolerance Test
a diagnostic test for diabetes involving a drink of
glucose (after an overnight fast) followed by a series
of blood glucose estimations over 2 hours
Glycated Haemoglobin
haemoglobin with glucose
and other sugars chemically bound to it - also
referred to as glycosylated haemoglobin. Haemoglobin A1c
is a specific component of glycated haemoglobin
Glycosuria the
presence of glucose in the urine
Haemoglobin
the red coloured iron protein that carries oxygen in
red cells
HLA
human leucocyte antigens which are natural markers on
white cells much the same as blood groups on red cells
Hormone
a chemical substance produced by endocrine glands
which causes specific effects on other cells
Hyperglycaemia
blood glucose higher than normal
Hyperosmolar Coma
A coma (loss of consciousness) related to high levels
of glucose (sugar) in the blood and requiring
emergency treatment. A person with this condition is
usually older and weak from loss of body fluids and
weight. The person may or may not have a previous
history of diabetes. Ketones (acids) are not present
in the urine
Hypertension
high blood pressure
Hypoglycaemia
too low a level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This
occurs when a person with diabetes has injected too
much insulin, eaten too little food, or has exercised
without extra food. A person with hypoglycemia may
feel nervous, shaky, weak, or sweaty, and have a
headache, blurred vision, and hunger. Taking small
amounts of sugar, sweet juice, or food with sugar will
usually help the person feel better within 10-15
minutes
Hypertrophy
see Fat Atrophy
Impaired Glucose Tolerance
(IGT)
blood glucose (sugar) levels higher than normal but
not high enough to be called diabetes. People with IGT
may or may not develop diabetes. Other names (no
longer used) for IGT are "borderline,"
"subclinical," "chemical," or
"latent" diabetes
Impotence
the inability in males to start,sustain or complete
the act of sexual intercourse
Insulin
a hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood
glucose
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
see type 1 diabetes
IDDM
see type 1 diabetes
Insulin Resistance
many people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes produce
enough insulin, but their bodies do not respond to the
action of insulin. This may happen because the person
is overweight and has too many fat cells, which do not
respond well to insulin. Also, as people age, their
body cells lose some of the ability to respond to
insulin
Intramuscular
administration of a medication through a needle into
the muscles
Intravenous
administration of a medication through a needle into a
vein
Islet Cells (of Langerhans)
clusters of cells in the pancreas which include the
beta (insulin producing) and alpha (glucagon
producing) cells
Juvenile Onset Diabetes
see type 1 diabetes
Ketones chemical
substances from the breakdown of fat which can be
dangerous in large amounts
Ketonuria
warns of ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis uncontrolled
blood glucose and ketone levels that cause
dehydration, concentration of body fluids, build up of
acids (acidosis) and coma (see diabetic ketoacidosis)
Lactic Acidosis
a serious condition caused by the build up of lactic
acid which is produced from glucose when there is not
enough oxygen. Similar effects as ketoacidosis
Lactose
a sugar found in milk
Laser
an intense narrow beam of light which can be used to
heal damaged areas in the body (e.g. blood vessels in
the eye)
Macrovascular referring
to the large blood vessels
Maturity Onset Diabetes
see Type 2
diabetes
Metabolism
the physical and chemical changes occurring in the
body
Microalbuminuria
leakage of small amounts of protein (albumin) into the
urine. An early warning of kidney damage
Microvascular
referring to the small blood vessels
Millimole (mmol)
a measurement of the concentration of chemicals in the
body
Monila see
Candida
Nephropathy
disease of the kidneys
Neuropathy disease
of the nerves
Non-Insulin Dependent
Diabetes
see type 2 diabetes
NIDDM see
type 2 diabetes
Obesity the
condition of severe overweight
Oral Hypoglycaemic Drug
medications taken
by mouth that stimulate the release or improve the
action of insulin
Pancreas
an organ behind the lower part of the stomach that is
about the size of a hand. It makes insulin so that the
body can use glucose (sugar) for energy. It also makes
enzymes that help the body digest food. Spread all
over the pancreas are areas called the islets of
Langerhans. The cells in these areas each have a
special purpose. The alpha cells make glucagon, which
raises the level of glucose in the blood; the beta
cells make insulin; the delta cells make somatostatin
Photocoagulation
using a special strong beam of light (laser) to seal
off bleeding blood vessels such as in the eye. The
laser can also burn away blood vessels that should not
have grown in the eye. This is the main treatment for
diabetic retinopathy
Polydipsia
a great thirst that lasts for long periods of time; a
sign of diabetes
Polyphagia
great hunger; a sign of diabetes. People with this
great hunger often lose weight
Polyuria
the passage of large amounts of urine
Portions
see exchanges
Prandial
referring to meals e.g. pre-prandial: before meals;
post-prandial: after meals
Proteinuria
too much protein in the urine. This may be a sign of
kidney damage
Pruritus
itching
Renal
a term that means having something to do with the
kidneys
Renal Threshold
the blood glucose level above which glucose spills
into the urine
Retinopathy
damage to the retina of the eye
Saccharin
a low calorie artificial sweetener
Somogyi Effect
a rebound effect of low followed by high blood glucose
caused by too much insulin
Sorbitol
a sugar used to sweeten foods
Subcutaneous underneath
the skin
Sucrose
a form of sugar that the body must break down into a
more simple form before the blood can absorb it and
take it to the cells
Sugars
simple carbohydrates which are sweet and occur widely
in nature e.g. fructose, glucose,lactose, sucrose
Thrush
see Candida
Thyroid
an endocrine gland in the base of the neck producing
hormones controlling the body's metabolism
Triglyceride
a type of fat found in the blood and other parts of
the body
Type 1 Diabetes
where little or no insulin is made, usually occurring
under the age of 30 and requiring insulin injections
for life. Also known as insulin dependent and juvenile
onset diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
insulin is present but
doesn't work adequately. Usually occurs over the age
of 30 and is controlled by diet and medication or diet
and insulin. Also known as non insulin dependent and
maturity onset diabetes
Ulcer
a break in the skin; a deep sore. People with diabetes
may get ulcers from minor scrapes on the feet or legs,
from cuts that heal slowly, or from the rubbing of
shoes that do not fit well. Ulcers can become infected
Ultralente Insulin
a type of insulin that is long acting
Unit
the basic measure of insulin. U-100 insulin means 100
units of insulin per milliliter (mL) or cubic
centimeter (cc) of solution
Uraemia
build up of poisons because of kidney failure
Urine Testing
checking urine to see if it contains glucose (sugar)
and ketones. Special strips of paper or tablets
(called reagents) are put into a small amount of urine
or urine plus water. Changes in the color of the strip
show the amount of glucose or ketones in the urine.
Urine testing is the only way to check for the
presence of ketones, a sign of serious illness
Vein
a blood vessel that carries blood to the heart
Xylitol
a sweetener found in plants and used as a substitute
for sugar