Common Terms
-
Acanthosis nigricans – darkened area on the neck or in the armpit; this means there may be insulin resistance
-
Acidosis – unhealthy elevated level of acid in blood; in diabetes, it happens when ketones are in blood
-
Acute complication – a problem that occurs in a short period of time; is fixed in a short period of time
-
Cholesterol – a type of fat that the body needs in small amounts, but elevated levels can help cause heart disease
-
Chronic complication – health change that happens after many years; in some cases can be reversed; but often is a permanent health change
-
Complex carbohydrate – Food with a slow release form of carbohydrate
-
Dawn phenomenon – rise in blood glucose from evening to morning caused by hormone production during the night; results in insulin resistance
-
DKA – Diabetes Ketoacidosis; life-threatening acute complication of diabetes; caused when the body is not able to use glucose for energy
-
Fasting – state of the body when it has been at least 6 hours since last eating or drinking; certain lab work needs to be done when a person is fasting
-
Glucagon – hormone that is released by the pancreas when blood glucose is too low; can also be given by injection; lets stored glucose be released from the liver into the blood
-
Glucose – sugar that is present in the blood after eating; the body uses glucose for energy
-
Glycogen – stored form of glucose; extra glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen.
-
Hemoglobin A1C (Hgb A1C) – lab test that measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin in the body; gives an idea of the average glucose levels over the last 3 months
-
Heredity – Traits (ex. color of eyes); likeliness to get certain health conditions that are passed from parent to child
-
Honeymoon phase – Period of time soon after the diagnosis of diabetes when the body temporarily makes a small amount of insulin
-
Hormone – chemical that is made in a part of the body that affects other areas of the body; insulin and glucagon are hormones
-
Hyperglycemia – High blood glucose
-
Hyperlipidemia – High levels of fat (lipids) in the blood
-
Hypoglycemia – Low blood glucose
-
Insulin – a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas; lets the body use glucose for energy
-
Insulin resistance – a condition in which the body cannot use insulin as well as it normally does; found in people with type 2 diabetes; may be found in people with unhealthy weight
-
Intramuscular injection – injection given into the muscle
-
Ketoacidosis – see DKA
-
Ketones – produced when the body breaks down fat; can lead to ketoacidosis
-
Ketonuria – ketones in the urine
-
Kussmaul respirations – rapid, shallow breathing; present in ketoacidosis; the body’s attempt to restore acid base balance in the blood
-
Lancet – a fine, sharp needle device; used to puncture the skin to get a drop of blood
-
Lipid – another word for fat; two types of lipids are triglycerides and cholesterol
-
Pancreas – a gland behind the liver; one of its functions is to make insulin
-
Proteinuria – protein in the urine; may be an early sign of kidney disease
-
Renal – relates to the kidneys
-
Simple Carbohydrate – food that is made of rapid-release form of carbohydrates
-
Subcutaneous injection – injection into the fatty tissue between the muscle and the skin
-
Triglyceride – a kind of fat that is carried in the blood and stored in the body
Back to the Managing Your Diabetes Resource Book Table of Contents »