Glossary of diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia caused by impaired insulin secretion, impaired insulin action, or both. This simplified glossary of diabetes explains common diabetes terms in short, reader-friendly definitions.

File:US Navy 111104-N-PE811-001 Naval Hospital Jacksonville diabetes education nurse Nyve Tinajero checks a patient's foot in the hospital's diabetes ce.jpg

Naval Hospital Jacksonville diabetes education nurse checking a patient's foot as part of diabetes education.

Table of contents: .A | .B | .C | .D | .E | .F | .G | .H | .I | .J | .K | .L | .M | .N | .O | .P | .Q | .R | .S | .T | .U | .V | .W | .X | .Y | .Z

A

• Acanthosis nigricans — Dark, velvety skin thickening often associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
• ACE inhibitor — A blood pressure medicine that can help protect the kidneys in diabetes.
• Acetone — A ketone body that may cause fruity breath in diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Acidosis — Excess acid in the body; in diabetes, this may occur with high ketones.
• Albuminuria — Albumin in the urine, an early sign of diabetic kidney disease.
• Alpha cell — A pancreatic cell that makes glucagon.
• Amylin — A hormone released with insulin that helps regulate glucose after meals.
• Angiopathy — Blood vessel damage, a long-term complication of diabetes.
• Antidiabetic drug — A medicine used to lower or control blood glucose.
• ARB — An angiotensin receptor blocker, used for hypertension and kidney protection.
• Arteriosclerosis — Hardening of the arteries, which is more common in diabetes.
• Atherosclerosis — Plaque buildup in arteries, increasing risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Autoimmune disease — Disease caused by the immune system attacking the body; type 1 diabetes is autoimmune.
• Autonomic neuropathy — Nerve damage affecting automatic body functions such as digestion, bladder control, or heart rate.

B

• Background retinopathy — Early, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
• Basal rate — Continuous background insulin delivered by an insulin pump.
• Beta cell — A pancreatic cell that produces insulin.
• Biosynthetic human insulin — Human insulin made by recombinant DNA technology.
• Biphasic insulin — Insulin mixture containing faster-acting and longer-acting insulin.
• Blood glucose — The amount of glucose in the blood.
• Blood glucose meter — A device used to measure blood glucose.
• Blood glucose monitoring — Regular checking of blood glucose levels.
• Blood pressure — Pressure of blood against artery walls; often monitored closely in diabetes.
• Bolus insulin — A dose of insulin given for food or high blood glucose.
• Borderline diabetes — Older term for prediabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
• Brittle diabetes — Diabetes with large, unpredictable swings in blood glucose.
• Bunion — A foot deformity that may need extra attention in diabetic foot care.

C

• C-peptide — A marker of how much insulin the body is producing.
• Callus — Thickened skin, especially on the feet; important in diabetic foot care.
• Calorie — A unit of food energy used in nutrition planning.
• Capillary — A tiny blood vessel that can be affected by diabetic microvascular disease.
• Carbohydrate — A nutrient that most directly raises blood glucose.
• Cardiologist — A doctor specializing in heart disease.
• Cardiovascular disease — Disease of the heart and blood vessels, a major diabetes risk.
• Cataract — Clouding of the eye lens; more common in people with diabetes.
• Certified diabetes educator — A health professional trained to teach diabetes self-management.
• Charcot foot — Serious foot deformity caused by diabetic neuropathy.
• Cholesterol — A blood fat measured to assess cardiovascular risk.
• Chronic — Long-lasting or persistent, as in chronic disease.
• Circulation — Blood flow through the body; poor circulation increases foot risk.
• Clinical trial — A research study testing treatments or prevention methods.
• Coma — Deep unconsciousness; severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can cause diabetic coma.
• Complications of diabetes — Long-term problems such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.
• Congestive heart failure — A condition in which the heart cannot pump effectively.
• Continuous glucose monitor — A sensor system that tracks glucose levels throughout the day.
• Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion — Insulin pump therapy.
• Coronary artery disease — Narrowing of heart arteries; diabetes increases risk.
• Creatinine — A blood test used to estimate kidney function.

D

• Dawn phenomenon — Early morning rise in blood glucose caused by hormones.
• Debridement — Removal of dead or infected tissue from a wound.
• Dehydration — Too little body fluid, which may occur with high glucose.
• Delta cell — A pancreatic cell that produces somatostatin.
• Dextrose — Another name for glucose.
• Diabetes control and complications trial — Landmark study showing that better glucose control reduces complications.
• Diabetes distress — Emotional stress caused by the daily burden of diabetes care.
• Diabetes insipidus — A water-balance disorder, different from diabetes mellitus.
• Diabetes mellitus — A group of disorders causing high blood glucose.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis — A dangerous buildup of ketones and acid, usually with severe insulin deficiency.
• Diabetic nephropathy — Kidney disease caused by diabetes.
• Diabetic neuropathy — Nerve damage caused by diabetes.
• Diabetic retinopathy — Diabetes-related damage to the retina.
• Diabetologist — A clinician specializing in diabetes care.
• Diabulimia — Insulin restriction for weight loss, a dangerous eating-disorder behavior.
• Diagnosis — Identification of a disease using symptoms, examination, and tests.
• Dialysis — Treatment that filters blood when kidneys fail.
• Diastolic blood pressure — The lower number in a blood pressure reading.
• Dietitian — A nutrition professional who helps plan meals for diabetes.
• Dilated eye examination — Eye exam used to check for diabetic retinopathy.
• Distal sensory neuropathy — Common diabetic nerve damage affecting feet and hands.
• Diuretic — A medicine that increases urine output and may treat high blood pressure or edema.

E

• Edema — Swelling caused by fluid buildup.
• Electromyography — A test used to evaluate muscles and nerves.
• Endocrine gland — A hormone-producing gland, such as the pancreas.
• Endocrinologist — A doctor specializing in hormone disorders including diabetes.
• Endogenous — Produced inside the body.
• End-stage renal disease — Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant.
• Epinephrine — A stress hormone that can raise blood glucose.
• Etiology — The cause or origin of a disease.
• Euglycemia — Normal blood glucose.
• Exchange list — A meal-planning tool grouping foods by nutrients.
• Exogenous insulin — Insulin supplied from outside the body.

F

• Fasting blood glucose test — Blood glucose test done after fasting.
• Fat — A nutrient that provides energy and affects heart risk.
• Fatty acid — A building block of fat.
• Fiber — Plant material that can slow glucose absorption and improve satiety.
• Fluorescein angiography — Eye test used to evaluate retinal blood vessels.
• Food exchange — Meal-planning method allowing food substitutions.
• Foot care — Daily foot inspection and protection to prevent ulcers.
• Fructose — A sugar found in fruit and sweeteners.
• Funduscopy — Examination of the back of the eye.

G

• Gangrene — Tissue death from poor blood flow or infection.
• Gastroparesis — Delayed stomach emptying caused by nerve damage.
• Gene — A unit of heredity that may influence diabetes risk.
• Gestational diabetes — Diabetes first recognized during pregnancy.
• Gingivitis — Gum inflammation, more common with poor glucose control.
• Glaucoma — Eye disease involving optic nerve damage.
• Gliclazide — A sulfonylurea used for type 2 diabetes.
• Glimepiride — A sulfonylurea medicine for type 2 diabetes.
• Glipizide — A sulfonylurea medicine that stimulates insulin release.
• Glomerular filtration rate — Estimate of kidney filtering function.
• Glucagon — A hormone that raises blood glucose.
• Glucose — The main sugar used by the body for energy.
• Glucose tolerance test — A test measuring the body's response to glucose.
• Glyburide — A sulfonylurea medicine for type 2 diabetes.
• Glycemic index — Ranking of carbohydrate foods by effect on blood glucose.
• Glycogen — Stored glucose in liver and muscle.
• Glycosuria — Glucose in the urine.
• Glycosylated hemoglobin test — Test showing average blood glucose over about 2 to 3 months.

H

• Hemochromatosis — Iron overload that can cause secondary diabetes.
• Hemodialysis — Blood-filtering treatment for kidney failure.
• Hemoglobin A1c — A key measure of average blood glucose control.
• High blood pressure — A common diabetes comorbidity and cardiovascular risk.
• HLA antigen — Immune marker linked to type 1 diabetes risk.
• Home blood glucose monitoring — Checking glucose at home with a meter.
• Homeostasis — The body's maintenance of internal balance.
• Hormone — A chemical messenger such as insulin or glucagon.
• Human insulin — Insulin matching the structure of natural human insulin.
• Hyperglycemia — High blood glucose.
• Hyperinsulinism — Excess insulin in the blood.
• Hyperlipidemia — High blood fat levels.
• Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state — Severe hyperglycemia with dehydration, usually in type 2 diabetes.
• Hypertension — High blood pressure.
• Hypoglycemia — Low blood glucose.
• Hypotension — Low blood pressure.

I

• Impaired fasting glucose — Fasting glucose above normal but below diabetes range.
• Impaired glucose tolerance — Abnormal glucose response that does not meet diabetes criteria.
• Implantable insulin pump — A surgically placed insulin delivery device.
• Impotence — Erectile dysfunction, which may be related to diabetic nerve or vessel damage.
• Incidence — Number of new cases in a population over time.
• Infusion set — Tubing and cannula used with an insulin pump.
• Injection — Delivery of medicine through a needle.
• Insulin — A hormone that helps cells use glucose.
• Insulin allergy — Allergic reaction to insulin.
• Insulin pen — A pen-shaped device for insulin injection.
• Insulin pump — A device that delivers insulin continuously.
• Insulin reaction — Low blood glucose after insulin, food, or activity imbalance.
• Insulin receptor — A cell surface protein that binds insulin.
• Insulin resistance — Reduced response to insulin, common in type 2 diabetes.
• Insulin shock — Severe hypoglycemia causing confusion, seizure, or collapse.
• Insulinoma — An insulin-producing tumor that may cause hypoglycemia.
• Intermittent claudication — Leg pain with walking from poor blood flow.
• Intramuscular injection — Injection into a muscle.
• Intravenous injection — Injection into a vein.
• Islet cell transplantation — Transfer of insulin-producing islet cells to a person with diabetes.
• Islets of Langerhans — Pancreatic cell clusters that produce insulin and other hormones.

J

• Jet injector — A device that delivers insulin through the skin using pressure.
• Juvenile onset diabetes — Older term for type 1 diabetes.

K

• Ketoacidosis — Acid buildup from excess ketones.
• Ketone bodies — Chemicals made when fat is broken down for energy.
• Ketonuria — Ketones in the urine.
• Ketosis — Use of fat and ketones for energy.
• Kidney disease — Kidney damage, a possible complication of diabetes.
• Kidney threshold — Blood level where glucose begins to spill into urine.
• Kussmaul breathing — Deep, labored breathing seen in severe ketoacidosis.

L

• Labile diabetes — Diabetes with unstable glucose swings.
• Lactic acidosis — Buildup of lactic acid in the body.
• Lactose — Milk sugar.
• Lancet — A small sharp tool used for fingerstick blood testing.
• Laser treatment — Eye treatment used for some diabetic retinal disease.
• Latent diabetes — Older term related to impaired glucose tolerance.
• Lente insulin — An older intermediate-acting insulin.
• Limited joint mobility — Stiffness, often in the hands, seen in some people with diabetes.
• Lipid — Fat or fat-like substance in the blood or body.
• Lipoatrophy — Small dents at repeated injection sites.
• Lipodystrophy — Lumps or dents from repeated injections in the same area.
• Low blood sugar — Blood glucose below normal.

M

• Macroangiopathy — Disease of large blood vessels.
• Macrosomia — Larger-than-usual baby, sometimes linked to diabetes in pregnancy.
• Macrovascular disease — Disease of large vessels, such as heart or leg arteries.
• Macular edema — Swelling in the retina that can affect vision.
• Maturity-onset diabetes — Older term for type 2 diabetes.
• Maturity onset diabetes of the young — A genetic form of diabetes, often called MODY.
• Meal plan — A guide for food choices, portions, and timing.
• Medical identification tag — Bracelet, necklace, or card showing important medical information.
• Metabolic syndrome — Cluster of insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and abnormal lipids.
• Metabolism — Chemical processes the body uses to make and use energy.
• Metformin — Common first-line medicine for type 2 diabetes.
• Mg/dL — Milligrams per deciliter, a common U.S. glucose unit.
• Microaneurysm — Tiny vessel swelling seen in diabetic retinopathy.
• Microangiopathy — Disease of small blood vessels.
• Microvascular disease — Damage to small vessels in eyes, kidneys, or nerves.
• Mixed dose insulin — Two insulin types combined in one injection.
• mmol/L — Millimoles per liter, a common international glucose unit.
• Mononeuropathy — Damage to a single nerve.
• Mortality rate — Rate of death in a population.
• Myocardial infarction — Heart attack.
• Myo-inositol — A cell substance studied in diabetic neuropathy.

N

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases — U.S. institute supporting diabetes research and education.
• Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum — A diabetes-associated skin disorder, often on the legs.
• Neovascularization — Abnormal new blood vessel growth, especially in proliferative retinopathy.
• Nephrologist — A kidney specialist.
• Nephropathy — Kidney disease.
• Nerve conduction study — Test used to evaluate nerve damage.
• Neurologist — A nervous system specialist.
• Neuropathy — Nerve damage.
• NIDDM — Older abbreviation for type 2 diabetes.
• Noninvasive blood glucose monitoring — Glucose monitoring without fingerstick blood.
• Nonketotic coma — Older term related to severe hyperosmolar hyperglycemia.
• NPH insulin — An intermediate-acting insulin.
• Nutrition — The intake and use of food and nutrients.
• Nutritionist — A professional who advises about diet and nutrition.

O

• Obesity — Excess body fat, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
• Obstetrician — A doctor specializing in pregnancy and childbirth.
• OGTT — Abbreviation for oral glucose tolerance test.
• Ophthalmologist — A medical doctor specializing in eye disease.
• Optometrist — A clinician who examines vision and some eye conditions.
• Oral glucose tolerance test — Test using a glucose drink to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.
• Oral hypoglycemic agent — A pill used to lower blood glucose.
• Overt diabetes — Diabetes with clear clinical or laboratory evidence.

P

• Pancreas — Organ that makes insulin and digestive enzymes.
• Pancreas transplant — Surgery to replace a pancreas with one that can make insulin.
• Pancreatectomy — Surgical removal of the pancreas.
• Pancreatitis — Inflammation of the pancreas.
• Peak action — Time when insulin has its strongest effect.
• Periodontal disease — Gum disease, more common in diabetes.
• Periodontist — A gum disease specialist.
• Peripheral neuropathy — Nerve damage affecting feet, legs, or hands.
• Peripheral vascular disease — Poor blood flow in the limbs.
• Peritoneal dialysis — Dialysis using the abdominal lining.
• Pharmacist — A medication expert.
• Photocoagulation — Laser treatment for abnormal or leaking retinal vessels.
• Pituitary gland — Hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain.
• Podiatrist — A clinician specializing in foot care.
• Polydipsia — Excessive thirst.
• Polyphagia — Excessive hunger.
• Polyuria — Frequent urination.
• Postprandial blood glucose — Blood glucose after a meal.
• Prediabetes — Blood glucose above normal but below diabetes range.
• Preeclampsia — Pregnancy complication with high blood pressure and other findings.
• Prevalence — Number of existing cases in a population.
• Prognosis — Expected course or outcome of a disease.
• Proinsulin — Insulin precursor made by beta cells.
• Proliferative retinopathy — Advanced retinopathy with abnormal new blood vessels.
• Proteinuria — Protein in the urine, often a sign of kidney damage.
• Pruritus — Itching.

R

• Rebound hyperglycemia — High glucose following a low-glucose episode.
• Receptor — A cell structure that binds a hormone or signal.
• Regular insulin — Short-acting insulin.
• Renal — Related to the kidneys.
• Renal threshold — Blood level at which glucose spills into urine.
• Retina — Light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
• Retinopathy — Disease of the retina.
• Risk factor — Anything that increases disease risk.

S

• Saccharin — A non-sugar sweetener.
• Saturated fat — A type of fat often linked to higher cardiovascular risk.
• Secondary diabetes — Diabetes caused by another disease or medication.
• Self-monitoring of blood glucose — Checking one's own blood glucose.
• Shock — A severe body-wide crisis; severe hypoglycemia can cause collapse.
• Sliding scale insulin — Insulin adjustment based on glucose readings.
• Somatic neuropathy — Peripheral nerve damage affecting sensation or movement.
• Somatostatin — Hormone made by delta cells that affects insulin and glucagon.
• Somogyi effect — Rebound high glucose after low glucose, often overnight.
• Sorbitol — A sugar alcohol.
• Spilling point — Another term for renal threshold.
• Split dose insulin — Dividing insulin into two or more daily doses.
• Stiff hand syndrome — Thickened hand skin and limited finger movement in diabetes.
• Stroke — Brain injury from blocked or bleeding blood vessels.
• Subcutaneous injection — Injection under the skin.
• Sucrose — Table sugar.
• Sugar — A simple carbohydrate, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
• Sulfonylurea — A diabetes medicine class that stimulates insulin release.
• Symptom — A patient-experienced sign of disease.
• Syndrome — A group of findings that occur together.
• Syndrome X — Older name for metabolic syndrome.

T

• Team management — Diabetes care involving clinicians, educators, dietitians, and the patient.
• Tight control — Keeping glucose close to target to reduce complications.
• Tolazamide — An older sulfonylurea medicine.
• Tolbutamide — An older sulfonylurea medicine.
• Triglyceride — A blood fat that may be high in insulin resistance.
• Type 1 diabetes — Autoimmune diabetes causing insulin deficiency.
• Type 2 diabetes — Diabetes characterized mainly by insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.

U

• Ulcer — A sore or open wound, often important in diabetic foot disease.
• Ultralente insulin — An older long-acting insulin.
• Urea — Waste product measured in kidney function tests.
• Urinalysis — Urine testing for glucose, ketones, protein, or infection.
• Urine testing — Testing urine for glucose, ketones, albumin, or protein.

V

• Vascular disease — Disease of blood vessels.
• Vein — A blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.
• Vitreous hemorrhage — Bleeding into the eye's vitreous, a complication of proliferative retinopathy.
• Vitreous humor — Clear gel inside the eye.

X

• Xylitol — A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener.

See also

• Diabetes
• Diabetes mellitus
• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Insulin resistance
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Ketogenic diet
• Low-carbohydrate diet

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