Post by Jana on Sept 22, 2004 20:42:41 GMT -5
A1C test: A test that measures a patient's average blood sugar over the 2 to 3 month period before the test. Sugar in the blood attaches itself to hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in the body. The sugar-hemoglobin complex is called glycosylated hemoglobin. In the glycosylated hemoglobin test, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin indicates the average amount of sugar that was not metabolized for cell energy during the 2 to 3 months preceding the test.
Arteriosclerosis: Thickening and hardening of artery walls.
Diabetic blisters: Blistering of the skin due to diabetes. These blisters or bumps commonly occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, arms, legs, and buttocks, and are signs of poor glucose control.
Diabetic dermopathy (or dermatopathy): Any diseased or damaged skin condition resulting from diabetes. People with diabetes are especially prone to dehydration and dry skin and are at an increased risk for skin infections.
Diabetic retinopathy: A term for disorders affecting the small blood vessels of the retina, caused by diabetes.
Dilated eye exam: A test in which an eye doctor uses drops to make the pupils dilate (become larger) so that he or she can see your retina.
Eruptive xanthomatosis: A buildup of excess lipids (fats) in the body caused by improper lipid metabolism. This often manifests with xanthomas, which are yellow, brown, or orange lesions in the skin or mucous membranes. This condition is often found in people with diabetes and patients suffering from hyperlipidemia.
Focal photocoagulation: A process in which light energy from lasers is used to create tiny retinal microscars in the eye, thereby destroying abnormal blood vessels in the eye and sealing any vessels that may be leaking. Focal photocoagulation is directed at key areas of the eye that may be damaged; it can decrease fluid leakage in the eyes of patients with conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema.
Gestational diabetes: Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after pregnancy is complete. Gestational diabetes is best controlled with a diet monitored by a healthcare professional. About 60% of women who experience gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Glucose: A simple sugar found in the blood. It is the body's main source of energy; also known as dextrose.
Hyperglycemia: A higher than normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood; a sign that diabetes is out of control. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does have to turn glucose into energy. Signs of hyperglycemia are a great thirst, a dry mouth, and a need to urinate often.
Hypoglycemia: Lower than normal levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood (generally below 70 mg/dL). Hypoglycemia is often seen in patients with diabetes. Symptoms can be emotional and physical and include moodiness, fatigue, hunger, sweating, weakness, shakiness, and numbness in arms and legs. If left untreated the condition can become fatal.
Impaired fasting glucose: Occurs when fasting blood glucose test results are greater than 110 mg/dL but less than 126 mg/dL. This is not diabetes, but sometimes occurs before diabetes; usually type 2 diabetes develops. Some people with impaired fasting glucose do not go on to develop diabetes, but may experience many of the same problems associated with diabetes.
Impaired glucose tolerance: The inability to properly break down and utilize (metabolize) glucose. This is a key factor in diagnosing diabetes. A test called a glucose tolerance test can be done to detect this condition.
Insulin: A hormone produced by cells in the pancreas. Insulin regulates the body's use of glucose and the levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin performs these functions by acting to open the cells so that glucose can enter. Most cells cannot access glucose without insulin. People with type 1 diabetes cannot make insulin on their own and must inject insulin from outside sources.
Insulin resistance: Impaired response of the body to insulin. This is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. The body produces insulin, but the insulin is ineffective at properly helping cells to allow glucose to enter them.
Islet cells: Specialized cells in the pancreas that are organized into clusters (islets). There are five types of islet cells: alpha, beta, delta, PP cells and D1 cells. Insulin is released from beta cells.
Ketones: Poisonous acids produced in the body when fat instead of glucose is burned for energy. Breakdown of fat can occur when not enough insulin is available to get sugar into body cells or when there are too many stress hormones. Ketones can be detected in the urine and on the breath where they produce a sweet, fruity smell.
Lactic acidosis: A serious condition caused by buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Lactic acid is a byproduct of glucose metabolism. If it occurs, lactic acidosis can be fatal in up to half of cases. In diabetes, lactic acidosis may contribute to and lead to the accumulation of ketones.
Macular edema: A swelling (edema) in the macula, an area near the center of the retina of the eye that is responsible for fine or reading vision. It is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Metabolism: The sum of all chemical processes that take place in living organisms, resulting in growth,energy generation, waste elimination and other bodily functions as they relate to the distribution of nutrients in the blood after digestion.
Nephropathy: Damage to or disease of the kidney. If left unchecked this condition can become life-threatening.
Neuropathy: Damage to the nerves. The most common form of neuropathy affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy) and can damage motor nerves (which affect movement), sensory nerves (which affect touch and sensation), and autonomic nerves (which affect involuntary functions like breathing and digestion).
Pancreas: A comma-shaped gland located in the back of the abdomen behind the stomach. Specialized cells in the pancreas produce enzymes for food digestion and hormones for fuel regulation, such as insulin and glucagon.
Scatter photocoagulation: A process in which light energy from lasers is scattered throughout the entire retina to create tiny retinal microscars thereby sealing areas of the eye that may be leaky. Scatter coagulation (panretinal coagulation) is often used in more advanced cases of retinopathy and macular edema.
Vitrectomy: A surgical process in which diseased and clouded fluid in the eye called vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear synthetic solution. Macular edema and diabetic retinopathy can lead to the development of cloudy vitreous. Laser surgery such as photocoagulation cannot be performed unless the vitreous is clear.
Arteriosclerosis: Thickening and hardening of artery walls.
Diabetic blisters: Blistering of the skin due to diabetes. These blisters or bumps commonly occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, arms, legs, and buttocks, and are signs of poor glucose control.
Diabetic dermopathy (or dermatopathy): Any diseased or damaged skin condition resulting from diabetes. People with diabetes are especially prone to dehydration and dry skin and are at an increased risk for skin infections.
Diabetic retinopathy: A term for disorders affecting the small blood vessels of the retina, caused by diabetes.
Dilated eye exam: A test in which an eye doctor uses drops to make the pupils dilate (become larger) so that he or she can see your retina.
Eruptive xanthomatosis: A buildup of excess lipids (fats) in the body caused by improper lipid metabolism. This often manifests with xanthomas, which are yellow, brown, or orange lesions in the skin or mucous membranes. This condition is often found in people with diabetes and patients suffering from hyperlipidemia.
Focal photocoagulation: A process in which light energy from lasers is used to create tiny retinal microscars in the eye, thereby destroying abnormal blood vessels in the eye and sealing any vessels that may be leaking. Focal photocoagulation is directed at key areas of the eye that may be damaged; it can decrease fluid leakage in the eyes of patients with conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema.
Gestational diabetes: Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after pregnancy is complete. Gestational diabetes is best controlled with a diet monitored by a healthcare professional. About 60% of women who experience gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Glucose: A simple sugar found in the blood. It is the body's main source of energy; also known as dextrose.
Hyperglycemia: A higher than normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood; a sign that diabetes is out of control. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does have to turn glucose into energy. Signs of hyperglycemia are a great thirst, a dry mouth, and a need to urinate often.
Hypoglycemia: Lower than normal levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood (generally below 70 mg/dL). Hypoglycemia is often seen in patients with diabetes. Symptoms can be emotional and physical and include moodiness, fatigue, hunger, sweating, weakness, shakiness, and numbness in arms and legs. If left untreated the condition can become fatal.
Impaired fasting glucose: Occurs when fasting blood glucose test results are greater than 110 mg/dL but less than 126 mg/dL. This is not diabetes, but sometimes occurs before diabetes; usually type 2 diabetes develops. Some people with impaired fasting glucose do not go on to develop diabetes, but may experience many of the same problems associated with diabetes.
Impaired glucose tolerance: The inability to properly break down and utilize (metabolize) glucose. This is a key factor in diagnosing diabetes. A test called a glucose tolerance test can be done to detect this condition.
Insulin: A hormone produced by cells in the pancreas. Insulin regulates the body's use of glucose and the levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin performs these functions by acting to open the cells so that glucose can enter. Most cells cannot access glucose without insulin. People with type 1 diabetes cannot make insulin on their own and must inject insulin from outside sources.
Insulin resistance: Impaired response of the body to insulin. This is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. The body produces insulin, but the insulin is ineffective at properly helping cells to allow glucose to enter them.
Islet cells: Specialized cells in the pancreas that are organized into clusters (islets). There are five types of islet cells: alpha, beta, delta, PP cells and D1 cells. Insulin is released from beta cells.
Ketones: Poisonous acids produced in the body when fat instead of glucose is burned for energy. Breakdown of fat can occur when not enough insulin is available to get sugar into body cells or when there are too many stress hormones. Ketones can be detected in the urine and on the breath where they produce a sweet, fruity smell.
Lactic acidosis: A serious condition caused by buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Lactic acid is a byproduct of glucose metabolism. If it occurs, lactic acidosis can be fatal in up to half of cases. In diabetes, lactic acidosis may contribute to and lead to the accumulation of ketones.
Macular edema: A swelling (edema) in the macula, an area near the center of the retina of the eye that is responsible for fine or reading vision. It is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Metabolism: The sum of all chemical processes that take place in living organisms, resulting in growth,energy generation, waste elimination and other bodily functions as they relate to the distribution of nutrients in the blood after digestion.
Nephropathy: Damage to or disease of the kidney. If left unchecked this condition can become life-threatening.
Neuropathy: Damage to the nerves. The most common form of neuropathy affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy) and can damage motor nerves (which affect movement), sensory nerves (which affect touch and sensation), and autonomic nerves (which affect involuntary functions like breathing and digestion).
Pancreas: A comma-shaped gland located in the back of the abdomen behind the stomach. Specialized cells in the pancreas produce enzymes for food digestion and hormones for fuel regulation, such as insulin and glucagon.
Scatter photocoagulation: A process in which light energy from lasers is scattered throughout the entire retina to create tiny retinal microscars thereby sealing areas of the eye that may be leaky. Scatter coagulation (panretinal coagulation) is often used in more advanced cases of retinopathy and macular edema.
Vitrectomy: A surgical process in which diseased and clouded fluid in the eye called vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear synthetic solution. Macular edema and diabetic retinopathy can lead to the development of cloudy vitreous. Laser surgery such as photocoagulation cannot be performed unless the vitreous is clear.
