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Diabetes Dictionary: A - E
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The Diabetes Dictionary
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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 glu
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
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):
acetohexamide (a-see-toh-HEX-uh-myde):
describes something that happens suddenly and for a short time. Opposite
chronic.
adhesive capsulitis (cap-soo-LITE-is):
a condition in which the urine has more than normal amounts of a protei
called albumin. Albuminuria may be a sign of nephropathy (kidney disea
alpha (AL-fa) cell:
a type of cell in the pancreas. Alpha cells make and release a hormone c
glucagon. The body sends a signal to the alpha cells to make glucagon w
blood glucose falls too low. Then glucagon reaches the liver where it tell
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 dige
starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in blood glucose
throughout the day, especially right after meals. (Generic names: acarbos
and miglitol.)
Amaryl:
see glimepiride.
amylin (AM-ih-lin):
a hormone formed by beta cells in the pancreas. Amylin regulates the tim
of glucose release into the bloodstream after eating by slowing the empty
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):
proteins made by the body to protect itself from "foreign" substances suc
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
3 months. Hemoglobin (HEE-mo-glo-bin) is the part of a red blood cell t
carries oxygen to the cells and sometimes joins with the glucose in the
bloodstream. Also called hemoglobin A1C or glycosylated (gly-KOH-sih
ted) hemoglobin, the test shows the amount of glucose that sticks to the r
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
gee-oh-TEN-sin) receptor blocker.
arteriosclerosis (ar-TEER-ee-oh-skluh-RO-sis):
a large blood vessel that carries blood with oxygen from the heart to all p
of the body.
aspart (ASS-part) insulin:
clogging, narrowing, and hardening of the body's large arteries and medi
sized blood vessels. Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke, heart attack, eye
problems, and kidney problems.
autoimmune (AW-toh-ih-MYOON) disease:
B
background retinopathy (REH-tih-NOP-uh-thee):
basal rate:
a cell that makes insulin. Beta cells are located in the islets of the pancre
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.
called blood sugar.
blood glucose level:
a small, portable machine used by people with diabetes to check their blo
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
blood glucose level as a number on the meter's digital display.
the force of blood exerted on the inside walls of blood vessels. Blood pre
is expressed as a ratio (example: 120/80, read as "120 over 80"). The firs
number is the systolic (sis-TAH-lik) pressure, or the pressure when the he
pushes blood out into the arteries. The second number is the diastolic (D
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 leve
increase.
blood vessels:
tubes that carry blood to and from all parts of the body. The three main ty
of blood vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries.
BMI:
see body mass index.
body mass index (BMI):
Below 18.5 is
underweight.
18.524.9 is
normal.
bolus (BOH-lus):
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 s
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 f
rubbing or pressure.
calorie:
gram.
capillary (KAP-ih-lair-ee):
the smallest of the body's blood vessels. Oxygen and glucose pass throug
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 o
skin to relieve pain from diabetic neuropathy.
carbohydrate (kar-boh-HY-drate):
one of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide carbohydrate
starches, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and sugars.
Sources of carbohydrate
carbohydrate counting:
damage to blood vessels in the brain. Vessels can burst and bleed or beco
clogged with fatty deposits. When blood flow is interrupted, brain cells d
are damaged, resulting in a stroke.
certified diabetes educator (CDE):
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 lev
by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body bett
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
some foods. Cholesterol is used by the body to make hormones and build
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:
harmful effects of diabetes such as damage to the eyes, heart, blood vesse
nervous system, teeth and gums, feet and skin, or kidneys. Studies show
keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol levels close to normal can help prevent or delay these problem
loss of the heart's pumping power, which causes fluids to collect in the bo
especially in the feet and lungs.
conventional therapy:
a term used in clinical trials where one group receives treatment for diabe
in which A1C and blood glucose levels are kept at levels based on curren
practice guidelines. However, the goal is not to keep blood glucose levels
close to normal as possible, as is done in intensive therapy. Conventiona
therapy includes use of medication, meal planning, and exercise, along w
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):
creatinine (kree-AT-ih-nin):
a waste product from protein in the diet and from the muscles of the bod
Creatinine is removed from the body by the kidneys; as kidney disease
progresses, the level of creatinine in the blood increases.
[Top]
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):
simple sugar found in blood that serves as the body's main source of ene
DiaBeta:
see glyburide.
diabetes:
see diabetes mellitus.
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):
diabetic eye disease; damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Los
vision may result.
diabetogenic (DY-uh-beh-toh-JEN-ic):
causing diabetes. For example, some drugs cause blood glucose levels to
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 norm
done by the kidneys. If the kidneys fail, the blood must be cleaned artific
with special equipment. The two major forms of dialysis are hemodialysi
and peritoneal dialysis.
hemodialysis (HE-mo-dy-AL-ih-sis): the use of a machin
clean wastes from the blood after the kidneys have failed.
blood travels through tubes to a dialyzer (DY-uh-LY-zur),
machine that removes wastes and extra fluid. The cleaned
blood then goes back into the body.
Hemodialysis
dietitian (DY-eh-TIH-shun):
a health care professional who advises people about meal planning, weig
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)
the eye is temporarily enlarged with eyedrops to allow the specialist to se
inside of the eye more easily.
Dilated eye
Undilated eye
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 lev
by helping the pancreas make more insulin right after meals. (Generic n
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
hand thicken and shorten, causing the fingers to curve inward.
Dymelor:
see acetohexamide.
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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 exam
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 categori
into three groups based on their nutritional content. Lists provide the serv
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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" "
Diabetes mellitus
Insulin
Hypoglycaemic coma
Diabetic coma
Protamin zink insulin
Glycosuria, melituria
Threshold sugar
Retarded insulin
Glucosria
Globin insulin
Cristalline insulin
Insulinase
Insulinemia
Fructosuria
Hyperglycemia
Diabetic ulcer
Hypoglycemic shock
Polydipsia
""
Liver function test
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Intelligence test
Kidney function test
Urinalysis
Occult blood test
Glucose tolerance test
Test
Iod test
Biopsy
Latex test
Paul-Bunnel test
-
Benzidine test
Liebermanns test
Nystagmus test
Paternity test
Brucellin test
Fragility test
Finger-nose test
-
Histamin test
Intradermal test
Dye test
Heel-knee test
Double-blind test
Qiuck's test
Dilution test
Fermentation test
Excercise test
Flocculation test
Culture
""
Culture
Mechanical adjustment
Feulgen test
Vidal test
Needle biopsy
Nicotin test
Coverglass, coverslip
Hangers test
Bottle
Urinalysis
Cross matching
Ring test
Maclagans test
Loop, loopful
Wassermann reaction
Specific gravity test
Direct platelet count
Van den Berghs Test
Plasmapheresis
Threeglas test
Spreader
Woulf's bottle
Prothrombin test
Anesthesia test
Tuberculin test
Precipitation
Atropin test
Blood bank
Antimony test
""
Pancreatic Function test
Blood count
Lividity blue
Clearance test
Section
Sedimentation rate
Aldehyde test
Complete biopsy
Coffee test
Concentration test
Aspiration biopsy
Gross, macroscopic
Absobtion test
Aptitude test
Skin test
Secretin test
Coombs' test
Tourniquet test
Alkali denaturation test
Paul-Bunnel reaction
-
Schick test
In vitro
Surface biopsy
Serum reaction
Coagulation time
Buret, burette
Antiglobulin test
Diazo reaction
Screening test
""
Personality test
Indirect platelet count
Reaction flocculation
-Micro
:Clumping test
Congo red test
Perspiration teat
Sternal biopsy
Antigen antibody reaction
-
Serological tests for syphilis
Cytometry
Swab test
Microanalysis
Reversible reaction
Salkowski's test
Neubauer chamber
Prothrombin time
Microscopy
Cultivation
Patch test
Saucer, dish
Cupula
Control animal
Sponge biopsy
Rivalta reaction
Garbel sieve
Sensitivity test
Assosistion test
Reaction precipitin
""
Hemoculture
Cryoprecipitation
Immediate reaction
Tray
Sieving
Cultural
Dish, saucer
Subculture
Sulkowitch's test
Phenolsulphtalein teat
Serologic test
Laboratory medicine
Skin test unit
Ultracentrifugation
Hemacytometer
Objective
Sampling
Cross reaction
Eyepiece, ocular
Cojunctival test
Plating
Ultracentrifuge
Seropositive
Slide
Centrifugation
Microscopy
Analytic
Adis count
Provocative Wassermann reaction
Decerebrate animal
" "
Hemoculture
Cryoprecipitation
Immediate reaction
Tray
Sieving
Cultural
Dish, saucer
Subculture
Sulkowitch's test
Phenolsulphtalein teat
Serologic test
Laboratory medicine
Skin test unit
Ultracentrifugation
Hemacytometer
Objective
Sampling
Cross reaction
Eyepiece, ocular
Cojunctival test
Plating
Ultracentrifuge
Seropositive
Slide
Centrifugation
Microscopy
Analytic
Adis count
Provocative Wassermann reaction
Decerebrate animal
""
Micro-Astrup method
Glucose oxidase method
Copper-sulfate method
Hexokinase method
Westergren method