Dictionary
When reading about or discussing diabetes, you may come across unfamiliar words. Our diabetes dictionary will help you become more comfortable with these terms. To start, just click on the first letter of the word.
The sources for the words or terms listed in this dictionary are found at the end of this guide. This dictionary is a tool for your personal use and is not intended to replace medical advice.
504 plan:
A legal document allowed by federal law that protects children with diabetes' rights at school. It is designed to provide an instructional plan to assist students with special needs while attending school. A 504 plan details all aspects of care and treatment while your child is at school, involved in school activities, or in transit.
A1C:
The long-term measure of blood sugar control, also known as HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin. The A1C test measures how many A1C hemoglobin cells (a specific part of red blood cells) have sugar attached to them. Because these cells live for about four months, this gives a picture of how well blood sugar has been controlled for the past few months. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C result of 7% or less to help reduce the risk of long-term complications of diabetes.1
ACE inhibitors:
Blood pressure-lowering agents that also have a protective effect on the kidney and have been shown to be preferred agents to control blood pressure and progression of kidney damage in diabetes.
adult-onset diabetes:
Now known as type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn't use its insulin effectively or doesn't produce enough insulin.
aerobic exercise:
Any physical exercise that makes the heart and lungs work harder to meet the muscles' need for oxygen. Examples include bicycling, swimming, running, and vigorous walking and other activities which use large muscle groups like arms and legs.
alpha cells:
Cells near the pancreas that secrete glucagon, which elevates glucose levels in the blood.
angina:
Pain or pressure in the area of the heart. Caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart, angina can come before a heart attack.
angiotensin:
A substance in the blood that causes blood vessels to tighten, raising blood pressure.
antibody:
Molecules that defend the body against bacteria, viruses, or other foreign bodies (antigens). Also called immunoglobulins.
anticoagulant:
A medication that prevents or slows the blood from clotting.
arteriosclerosis:
Thickening and hardening of arteries of all sizes throughout the body. A risk factor for heart disease.
atherosclerosis:
A condition in which fat deposits build up in the walls of arteries. This can interfere with blood flow, causing a heart attack, stroke, or damage to various organs such as the eyes or kidneys.
autonomic neuropathy:
Nerve damage that affects the automatic systems of the body, such as the heart, digestive tract, bladder, and more. Sometimes there are no symptoms, or symptoms appear to suggest other causes.1 Also known as diabetic autonomic neuropathy or DAN.
basal rate:
The slow rate at which insulin enters the body with the use of an insulin pump. An insulin pump delivers a basal rate of insulin continuously throughout the day, mimicking the activity of the pancreas.
beta cells:
The islet cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin.
blood sugar meter:
A hand-held device for testing and measuring blood sugar levels. A drop of blood is placed on a small strip and inserted in the meter. The meter quickly calculates and displays the blood sugar level. Some meters also store multiple test results for analysis and downloading to a computer. Also known as a blood glucose monitor.
bolus:
A dose of insulin delivered by an insulin pump immediately before or after eating to cover the carbohydrates in a meal. Bolus doses are programmed by the user when the amount of food eaten is known.
brittle diabetes:
A condition in which a person experiences extreme fluctuations in blood sugar levels within a short period of time.
calories:
The measurement of how much energy is provided by food. Carbohydrates, protein, and fat are the primary sources of calories in the diet, but alcohol also provides calories. If all calories consumed aren't used as energy, they may be stored as fat.
carbohydrate counting:
A method of meal planning for people with diabetes, in which carbohydrates are eaten to match insulin levels, or insulin is delivered to "cover" carbohydrates eaten.
carbohydrates:
One of three major sources of calories in the diet. Simple carbohydrates occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, and milk products. They are also found in processed sugars such as candy, honey, table sugar, and syrups. Complex carbohydrates are starches found in breads, cereals, legumes, rice, and pastas. After they are eaten, all carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and used by the body for energy. This is how carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels.
cardiovascular disease:
Disease of the heart and blood vessels.
cataract:
Clouding of the lens of the eye.
cholesterol:
A fatty substance that is important in metabolism. Cholesterol is present in all animal products. Too much LDL (or bad) cholesterol, too little HDL (or good) cholesterol, or high total cholesterol, however, can be a risk factor for heart disease.1
complications:
Any of the short- or long-term problems that result from diabetes and high blood sugar. These can include eye disease, foot problems, heart disease, and more.
dawn phenomenon:
A rise in blood sugar levels before waking.
DCCT:
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, a ten-year controlled clinical trial for people with type 1 diabetes. The DCCT is a key source of data on diabetes, and it is the trial on which many treatment recommendations are based.1
diabetes insipidus:
A rare disease unrelated to diabetes mellitus. This condition is usually caused by lack of a hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
diabetes mellitus:
The full name of diabetes, a disease in which the body cannot turn blood sugar into energy normally, because the body doesn't make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it has. In uncontrolled diabetes, high levels of sugar build up in the blood, potentially damaging systems throughout the body.
More than 20 million Americans have diabetes, or about one in every 14 people. About one-third aren't even aware that they have diabetes.2
diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN):
Nerve damage that affects the automatic systems of the body, such as the heart, digestive tract, bladder, and more. Sometimes there are no symptoms, or symptoms appear to suggest other causes.1
diabetic retinopathy:
Diabetic eye disease in which the retina, the light-sensing tissue of the eye, is damaged.
DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis):
A dangerous condition in which poisonous ketones build up in the blood and spill into the urine. Ketoacidosis requires immediate medical attention.1
endocrine glands:
A system of glands which secrete hormones into the body. The islets of the pancreas, some of which manufacture and secrete insulin, are part of the endocrine system.
fasting plasma glucose test:
A test for diagnosing diabetes, which checks a person's blood sugar after they've had nothing to eat or drink overnight.
gastroparesis:
A form of neuropathy that affects the stomach. Digestion of food may be incomplete or delayed, resulting in nausea, vomiting, or bloating, making blood glucose control difficult.
gestational diabetes:
A condition in which women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy develop high blood sugar levels while pregnant. Gestational diabetes is generally tested at 24 to 28 weeks gestation. Blood sugar levels usually return to normal after delivery, but mothers with gestational diabetes may be at higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
glaucoma:
Increased pressure in the eye.
glomerulus:
A network of capillaries that act as a filter in the kidney.
glucagon:
A hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas which increases blood sugar levels. Glucagon can also be administered to people with diabetes who are having severe low blood sugar episodes.
glucose:
A simple sugar created by the breakdown of carbohydrates in food. Glucose is the body's source of quick energy. On this site, we use "blood glucose" and "blood sugar" interchangeably.
glycated hemoglobin:
The long-term measure of blood sugar control, also known as A1C or HbA1C. (On this site, we use A1C.) The A1C test measures how many A1C hemoglobin cells (a specific part of red blood cells) have sugar attached to them. Because these cells live for about four months, this gives a picture of how well blood sugar has been controlled for the past few months. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C result of 7% or less to help reduce the risk of long-term complications of diabetes.1
glycemic index:
A 100-point index for ranking types of food by how quickly their carbohydrates are converted to blood sugar. Foods lower on the glycemic index may make blood sugar climb more slowly and evenly than foods ranked closer to 100.
glycogen:
The form in which glucose is stored in the liver and muscles for later use.
HbA1C:
The long-term measure of blood sugar control, also known as A1C or glycated hemoglobin. (On this site, we use A1C.) The A1C test measures how many A1C hemoglobin cells (a specific part of red blood cells) have sugar attached to them. Because these cells live for about four months, this gives a picture of how well blood sugar has been controlled for the past few months. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C result of 7% or less to help reduce the risk of long-term complications of diabetes.1
HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein):
Good cholesterol. Too little HDL cholesterol can be a risk factor for heart disease.1
healthcare team:
The group of healthcare professionals who help a person manage diabetes. This team may include a primary physician, registered dietitian, and certified diabetes educator, as well as eye doctors, podiatrists, and other specialists.
heart disease:
A condition in which the heart cannot efficiently pump blood. Coronary artery disease is a common form of heart disease. It occurs when the arteries that nourish the heart muscle narrow or become blocked. People with diabetes have a higher risk than the general population for developing heart disease.
hemoglobin:
The iron-containing pigment of red blood cells which carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
honeymoon phase:
A temporary decrease in symptoms that occurs in some type 1 patients shortly after the onset of diabetes. Insulin production resumes to some degree, but usually only for a few weeks or months.
hyperglycemia:
High blood sugar levels.
hyperlipidemia:
A general term for excessive amounts of fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
hypertension:
High blood pressure. Generally this is considered blood pressure above the upper normal range of about 130/80 mm Hg.
hypoglycemia:
Low blood sugar levels. Generally, this is considered a blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL.1
hypoglycemia unawareness:
A state in which a person is unable to detect low blood sugar. This can be a result of frequent low blood sugar, nerve damage, or other issues.
hypoglycemic reaction:
A group of symptoms that occur when blood sugar levels drop too low. The reaction is caused by too much insulin, too much exercise, too little food, or other factors.
impaired glucose tolerance:
A term to describe blood glucose levels that fall between the normal and diabetic range. While impaired glucose tolerance is not considered diabetes, if ignored it may be a precursor to diabetes.
infusion set:
Together, the tubing that attaches to an insulin pump, the adhesive pad that adheres to the skin, and the needle or cannula inserted under the skin make up the infusion set.
insulin:
A hormone produced in the beta cells in the pancreas. The body uses insulin to let glucose enter cells, where it is used for energy.
insulin-dependent diabetes:
Now known as type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin or extremely small amounts. People with type 1 need to take insulin injections in order to live.
insulin pen:
A pre-filled pen-shaped device used to inject insulin.
insulin pump:
A device worn by a person with diabetes to deliver insulin under the skin 24 hours a day.
insulin resistance:
When the body doesn't use insulin properly -- the cells "resist" insulin's ability to unlock them to let blood sugar in to provide energy.
intensive insulin regimen:
The use of multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pump therapy to achieve control of blood sugar. This includes frequent self- monitoring of blood glucose. Also known as tight control.
islets of Langerhans:
Groups of cells in the pancreas. The islets contain beta cells, alpha cells, and delta cells.
jet injector:
A needle-free device that projects insulin through the skin under high pressure.
juvenile diabetes:
Now known as type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin or extremely small amounts. People with type 1 need to take insulin injections in order to live.
ketoacidosis:
A dangerous condition in which poisonous ketones build up in the blood and spill into the urine. Ketoacidosis requires immediate medical attention1. Also known as DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis).
ketones:
Waste products produced when fatty acids are broken down for energy.
ketonuria:
The presence of ketones in the urine.
lancet/lancet device:
A device used to prick the finger or other area of the body* to retrieve a small drop of blood for blood sugar testing. *Get the facts on alternate site testing and talk with your doctor before deciding if it's right for you.
LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein):
Bad cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol can be a risk factor for heart disease.1
luer-lock connector:
The standard fitting on the end of the infusion set and on the cartridge that allows them to be connected securely.
macular edema:
Swelling of the retina due to the presence of excess fluid.
metabolic:
Pertaining to the physical and chemical changes that occur in the body. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder.
metabolic syndrome:
The tendency of several conditions to occur together, including obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes or pre-diabetes, hypertension, and high lipids.1
mg/dL:
Milligrams per deciliter. The measure of the ratio of sugar in a person's blood.
microalbuminuria:
The presence of very small amounts of protein in urine. This is a very early sign of kidney damage.
mmol/L:
Millimoles per liter. The measure of blood glucose test results used by some medical journals and people outside the U.S.
myocardial infarction (MI):
A heart attack. Damage to the heart muscle, caused by blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries.
nephropathy:
Any inflammation or breakdown disorder of the kidneys.
neuropathy:
Nerve damage. Neuropathy can be the cause of problems with the feet and hands, heart, digestive tract, sexual issues, and more.1
nonproliferative retinopathy:
a type of diabetic eye disease characterized by bleeding and fluid accumulation in the eye, as well as abnormal dilatations of blood vessels in the retina; also called simple retinopathy.
oral diabetes medications:
Pills taken by some patients with type 2 diabetes to help lower blood sugar levels. These drugs do not contain insulin, but stimulate insulin production, help the body use insulin better, or work to reduce glucose in the bloodstream.
oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT):
A rarely necessary diagnostic test for diabetes. A person fasts overnight and several blood samples are drawn the next morning over a two-hour period, after the patient drinks a sugary drink.
pancreas:
A large gland behind the stomach which contains groups of cells. The pancreas is home to the beta cells which secrete insulin.
paresthesia:
A feeling of numbness, prickling, tingling, or sometimes pain.
peripheral neuropathy:
Nerve damage that affects the extremities, such as the hands and feet.
polydipsia:
Excessive thirst. May be a symptom of diabetes.
polyuria:
Frequent urination. May be a symptom of diabetes.
post-prandial blood glucose:
Blood sugar levels one to two hours after a meal.
pre-diabetes:
A term to describe blood glucose levels that fall between the normal and diabetic range. Pre-diabetes may be a precursor to diabetes, if ignored.
pre-prandial blood glucose:
The blood sugar level before eating.
proliferative retinopathy:
A type of diabetic eye disease characterized by the growth of new blood vessels into the retina.
pump:
Also known as an insulin pump. A device worn by a person with diabetes to deliver insulin under the skin 24 hours a day.
random plasma glucose test:
A test for diagnosing diabetes, performed without concern for the time of the most recent meal.
renal threshold:
The blood sugar level at which the kidneys spill excess sugar from the blood into the urine.
retinopathy:
Diabetic eye disease in which the retina, the light-sensing tissue of the eye, is damaged.
simple retinopathy:
a type of diabetic eye disease characterized by bleeding and fluid accumulation in the eye, as well as abnormal dilatations of blood vessels in the retina; also called nonproliferative retinopathy.
site rotation:
Moving from one place to another to test blood sugar, inject insulin, or attach an insulin pump infusion set. Sites are generally rotated within the same general area, such as from fingertip to fingertip for testing, or about an inch apart for injections.
SMBG (self-monitoring of blood glucose):
Used by people with diabetes to test their own blood to learn blood glucose levels and manage their diabetes.
Somogyi effect:
A swing to very high glucose levels from very low levels, often caused by the release of stress hormones.
stroke:
Bleeding in the brain or the formation of a clot that blocks an artery. A stroke can be characterized by the sudden loss of consciousness, often followed by paralysis.
subcutaneous:
Under the skin. Insulin pump therapy uses "subcutaneous infusion," meaning that insulin is delivered just under the skin.
test strips:
A special strip of paper that draws in a blood drop and delivers it to the blood sugar meter for testing.
thrombolytic agent:
A drug that dissolves clots.
thrombus:
An abnormal clot that develops on the interior wall of a blood vessel.
tight control:
The use of multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pump therapy to achieve control of blood sugar. This includes frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose. Also known as intensive insulin regimen.
triglycerides:
The body stores excess calories and fat as triglycerides. These are fats obtained from food and produced in the body from overeating. High levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease.1
type 1 diabetes:
Formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin or extremely small amounts. People with type 1 need to take insulin injections in order to live.
type 2 diabetes:
Formerly known as adult-onset diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn't use its insulin effectively or doesn't produce enough insulin.
UKPDS:
United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study. A 20-year controlled clinical trial on over 5,000 patients with type 2 diabetes. The UKPDS is the source of many of the recommendations made for treating type 2 diabetes.1
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.
vascular:
Pertaining to blood vessels.
vitreous:
The transparent material that fills the eyeball between the lens and retina.
1 American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes -- 2006. Diabetes Care. Volume 29, Supplement 1, January 2006.
2 American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Statistics. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics.jsp. Accessed January 18, 2007.
3 American Diabetes Association. Federal Education Laws Affecting Children with Diabetes. Available at: http://diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/school/schoollaw.jsp. Accessed April 30, 2007.
4 American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Dictionary. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetesdictionary.jsp?WTLPromo=FOOTER_dictionary. Accessed April 30, 2007.
5 American Academy of Family Physicians. Gestational Diabetes: What it Means for Me and My Baby. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/075.xml. Accessed April 7, 2007.
6 National Institutes of Health. Medline Plus Medical Dictionary. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html. Accessed April 30, 2007.