Helpful Advice 
Diabetes Definitions
Diabetes Definitions
Diabetes Definitions
- A
- Acanthosis Nigricans
A condition characterized by discolored patches in the skin folds of the armpits, neck, or groin, ranging from tan to dark brown. Acanthosis nigricans is associated with hyperinsulinemia (a... Read more...ACE Inhibitors
A class of medicine usually used to treat high blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors also appear to protect people with diabetes from diabetic nephropathy (kidney... Read more...Acupuncture
The practice of inserting thin needles into specific points on the body for the purpose of improving health and well-being. Acupuncture originated in China over 2,000 years ago, making it... Read more...Addison Disease
A medical condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol or, in some cases, aldosterone, causing such problems as weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood... Read more...Albumin
One of a group of simple proteins widely distributed in animals and plants. Albumin is found in such substances as blood, milk, and egg whites. In humans it has special relevance to... Read more...Aldosterone Antagonist
A class of antihypertensive (blood-pressure-lowering) drugs that may offer unique advantages for people with heart failure and people with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). The two... Read more...Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
A class of diabetes drugs sometimes called “starch blockers” that blocks the action of enzymes that normally begin to break down certain carbohydrates in the upper part of the small... Read more...Alternate-Site Testing
Blood glucose self-monitoring using a blood sample from somewhere other than the fingertips, namely the palm, upper arm, forearm, abdomen, calf, or thigh. Read more...Amino Acids
The basic structural units, or building blocks, of protein. The body uses protein to build up and repair tissue. Protein is found in muscles, organs, bones, and skin and in many of the... Read more...Anemia
A decrease in the number of red blood cells or in the amount of hemoglobin (an oxygen-carrying protein) in these cells that may cause such symptoms as weakness, fatigue, dizziness,... Read more...Angina
Pain or tightness in the chest, a symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD). People with diabetes are at increased risk for CHD, a condition in which the heart muscle does not get a... Read more...Angiogram
An x-ray image of the blood vessels taken after a special dye is injected into the bloodstream. Angiograms can be used to look at arteries such as the lungs (pulmonary angiogram), brain... Read more...Antibodies
Proteins made by white blood cells in response to bacteria, viruses, and other substances. Antibodies and white blood cells are both components of the body’s immune system, which... Read more...Anticoagulant Drugs
Drugs that prevent the coagulation, or clotting, of blood. Although they’re often called “blood thinners,” anticoagulants don’t dilute the blood—they increase the amount of time... Read more...Antidepressants
Drugs used to treat clinical depression, a medical condition characterized by long-standing feelings of sadness, apathy, and hopelessness. People with diabetes are especially prone to... Read more...Antiplatelet Drugs
Drugs that reduce the formation or inhibit the action of chemicals that promote the activation and aggregation of platelets, blood components important for the clotting of blood. Although... Read more...Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils (the oils that give plants their characteristic scents) that have been extracted from flowers, herbs, and trees, to promote health and well-being. Essential oils... Read more...Aspirin Resistance
A state in which aspirin fails to exert a beneficial effect on risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Medical experts do not agree whether aspirin resistance is a “real” phenomenon... Read more...Atherosclerosis
A disease in which arteries become dangerously narrowed by lipid deposits. People with diabetes are at increased risk for atherosclerosis. Read more...Autoimmunity
A condition in which the body’s immune system identifies the body’s own tissues as “foreign” rather than self. The purpose of the body’s immune system is to fight off... Read more... - B
- Basal Rate
The rate at which an insulin pump infuses small, “background” doses of short-acting insulin. Over a 24-hour period, the basal flow of insulin accounts for about 50% of a person’s... Read more...Behavior Activation Therapy
A type of treatment for psychological depression. People with diabetes have roughly twice the risk of depression as people without diabetes, and depression affects an estimated 15% to 30%... Read more...Beta Cells
The cells located within the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas that secrete insulin. The process leading to Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes appears to start when the immune system... Read more...Beta-Cell Regeneration
A natural process by which the beta cells of the pancreas, which make and secrete insulin, create new beta cells. Diabetes researchers are keenly interested in exploiting the mechanisms ... Read more...Bile Acid Sequestrants
A class of lipid-lowering medicines that helps lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol levels. Also called bile acid resins, these drugs lower cholesterol levels by... Read more...Biofeedback
A technique in which various monitoring devices are used to help a person learn to voluntarily alter normally involuntary body functions such as brain activity, blood pressure, muscle... Read more...Body-Mass Index
A measure of a person’s weight in relation to his or her height—a way to gauge whether a person needs to lose weight. A person’s BMI is expressed as weight in kilograms divided by... Read more... - C
- C-Reactive Protein
A blood marker for inflammation, which is thought to play a role in many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Scientific studies have shown not only that a high... Read more...C.D.E.
Abbreviation for Certified Diabetes Educator, a title ensuring that a given health professional has received special training in diabetes treatment and education. To qualify as a Certified... Read more...Capsaicin
A chemical that may help relieve chronic pain. Capsaicin is found in capsicum peppers, which include cayenne peppers, red peppers, African chilies, and tabasco peppers. It is capsaicin... Read more...Carbohydrate Counting
A meal-planning method that involves keeping the total carbohydrate intake at each meal consistent from day to day, with the aim of improving overall blood glucose control. Carbohydrate... Read more...Cardiomyopathy
Damage to the structure and function of the heart caused by diabetes. It is extremely prevalent: In one study, 52% of people with Type 2 diabetes had some degree of diabetic... Read more...Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
An emergency technique used when a person’s heart has stopped beating or the person has stopped breathing, or both. The standard procedure involves pumping on the victim’s chest to... Read more...Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
An emergency technique used when a person’s heart has stopped beating or the person has stopped breathing, or both. The standard procedure involves pumping on the victim’s chest to... Read more...Cataract
A cloudy lens in the eye that may cause vision problems. The lens is the part of the eye that focuses light on the retina, which in turn translates the light into the impulses transmitted... Read more...Charcot Joint
A breakdown of the skeletal architecture of a joint. In people with diabetes, this condition most commonly affects the foot. Especially susceptible to Charcot joint are people with... Read more...Chiropractic
An alternative therapy that seeks to improve nerve transmission through mechanical manipulation of the spinal column. A body of scientific evidence shows that chiropractic can be an... Read more...Cholesterol
A waxy substance found in all of the body’s cells. The body uses cholesterol for a number of important functions, such as manufacturing certain hormones. As most people know, however,... Read more...Chronic Care Model
A way of delivering health care to groups of people with chronic diseases, including diabetes. The current model for most health-care delivery emphasizes acute care, dealing with... Read more...Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A slowly progressive airway disease that causes the gradual loss of lung function. COPD is an umbrella term that includes chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, emphysema,... Read more...Chylomicrons
One of the five types of lipoproteins, or combinations of proteins, triglycerides (the body’s main storage form of fat), and cholesterol that circulate throughout the bloodstream.... Read more...Circadian Rhythm
An approximately 24-hour cycle of biological processes in plants and animals. In humans, the circadian “clock” is found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a cluster of cells located in a... Read more...Circulator Boot
The brand name of a device that compresses the leg in synchrony with a person’s heartbeat. The boot can be used to treat a number of medical conditions, including claudication (cramping... Read more...Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A scientifically proven form of psychotherapy that involves identifying distorted, maladaptive patterns of thinking and behaviors and replacing them with more pragmatic, problem-solving... Read more...Colonoscopy
A procedure in which a doctor looks inside the entire colon (large intestine) using a special scope. Colonoscopy is used to diagnose the causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits and... Read more...Coma
A state of profound unconsciousness from which a person cannot be aroused. It may be the result of trauma, a brain tumor, loss of blood supply to the brain (as from cerebrovascular... Read more...Community Health Worker
A member of a community who serves as a liaison between health-care providers and health-care consumers who have traditionally lacked access to good health care. Community health workers... Read more...Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A type of heart disease in which the heart no longer pumps sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. Diabetes is a risk factor for heart failure, but a number of measures, including... Read more...Contraindication
A symptom, condition, or trait that interferes with a given drug or treatment in a dangerous or counterproductive way. Most drugs and medical treatments have contraindications. For... Read more...Corticosteroids
Natural or synthetic hormones associated with the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland and corticosteroids regulate or influence numerous body functions, including carbohydrate and protein... Read more...Counterregulatory Hormones
Hormones that work against the action of insulin, raising blood glucose levels in response to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The main counterregulatory hormones are glucagon, epinephrine... Read more...Creatinine
A by-product of normal muscle breakdown. Measuring the levels of creatinine in the bloodstream and in the urine can be helpful for tracking the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Read more... - D
- Dawn Phenomenon
Very high blood glucose in the early morning due to the release of certain hormones in the middle of the night. The body makes certain hormones called counterregulatory hormones, which... Read more...Deep Vein Thrombosis
A blood clot that forms in a vein deep within the body, typically a vein in the leg. There are a number of risk factors for deep vein thrombosis, including certain inherited clotting... Read more...Diabetes
A disease characterized by high blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the... Read more...Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
A landmark study that proved that tight blood glucose control can substantially reduce the risk of developing the devastating medical complications of diabetes. At least as early as the... Read more...Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
A landmark study that proved that tight blood glucose control can substantially reduce the risk of developing the devastating medical complications of diabetes. At least as early as the... Read more...Diabetic Bladder
A term referring to bladder problems caused by diabetic autonomic neuropathy. The bladder’s function is to store the urine produced by the kidneys. Ordinarily, once urine is collected... Read more...Dialysis
The process of cleaning and filtering the blood, ridding the body of harmful waste products and extra salts and fluids. It is used in people with kidney failure, including those with... Read more...Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet
A diet that has been scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure. This eating plan is the product of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study, which showed that the... Read more...Dietary Fiber
The indigestible portion of fruits, vegetables, and grains. There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Both are believed to be important for maintaining... Read more...Diuretic
A type of drug that increases the amount of water and salt expelled in the urine. Commonly called water pills, diuretics are often used to treat high blood pressure. As excess water and... Read more...DPP-4 Inhibitors
A severe disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme undereating or overeating. Some studies suggest that eating disorders may be more common in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes... Read more... - E
- Eating Disorder
A severe disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme undereating or overeating. Some studies suggest that eating disorders may be more common in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes... Read more...Echinacea
An herb used extensively to prevent and treat the common cold. It is one of the most widely used herbal supplements in the United States, with annual sales surpassing $300 million. Of... Read more...Echocardiogram
A moving image of the heart created by sound waves. An echocardiogram can produce a much more detailed image of the heart than a standard x-ray. Read more...Edema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in various body tissues, causing swelling. The swelling may affect any of a number of body sites, such as the legs, ankles, and feet; the hands; the back or... Read more...Ejection Fraction
The proportion of blood pushed out of one of the heart’s two pumping chambers, the left and right ventricles, when it contracts. The ejection fraction, commonly expressed as a... Read more...Electrocardiogram
A test that measures the natural electrical activity of the heart. It is used to diagnose and evaluate heart problems. Read more...Endogenous/Exogenous
Endogenous means originating within the body, and exogenous means originating outside the body. Health professionals who treat people with diabetes often apply these terms to insulin:... Read more...Endothelium
The layer of cells that lines the heart, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and certain tissue-lined cavities throughout the body. Researchers are especially interested in the vascular (blood... Read more...Epinephrine
The “fight or flight” hormone that gives us a quick boost of extra energy to cope with danger—including the danger of low blood sugar. When blood sugar levels drop too low, the... Read more...Essential Fatty Acids
Fats that are necessary for good health and, because they’re not made by the body, must be consumed in the foods we eat. The two types of essential fatty acids are omega-6 and omega-3... Read more... - F
- Fast-Acting Carbohydrate
A form of carbohydrate that will raise blood glucose levels relatively quickly when ingested. The term “fast-acting carbohydrate” is generally used in discussions of treating... Read more...Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
A test that screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose in a person’s blood plasma after a period of fasting (not eating). The fasting plasma glucose test is given to... Read more...Fat Replacers
Substances used by food manufacturers to replace fat in various food products, providing the overall sensation of dietary fat (such as “mouth feel”) without being metabolized as fat... Read more...Fatty Liver
A condition in which fat accumulates in the cells of the liver. Fatty liver is usually associated with heavy alcohol use, excessive weight gain, or diabetes. It is most commonly found on... Read more...Female Sexual Dysfunction
A blanket term to describe several sexual disorders affecting women, including lack of desire, difficulty becoming sexually aroused, difficulty reaching orgasm, and painful intercourse.... Read more...Fibrates
A class of drugs that effectively lowers triglyceride levels and raises levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. They are not very effective for lowering... Read more...Fibrinogen
A protein produced by the liver that plays an important role in the development of blood clots. High levels of fibrinogen in the blood, which are associated with advancing age, obesity,... Read more...Foot Ulcer
A break in the skin of the foot caused by infection or injury. Because of diabetes-related vascular and nerve disease, such as poor blood circulation and neuropathy, people with diabetes... Read more... - G
- Gastric Bypass Surgery
Surgery that makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine, with the goal of promoting weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery is typically considered only... Read more...Gastroparesis
A condition associated with diabetes, in which the emptying of the stomach is slowed. Normally, the digestion of food is facilitated by steady, rhythmic contractions of the stomach... Read more...GERD
Acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chronic condition in which the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus, causing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. GERD is ... Read more...Gestational Diabetes
A type of diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnancies, resulting in roughly 135,000 cases in the United States each year. Read more...Ginseng
An herbal folk remedy for various ailments that is made from several species of plants in the genus Panax. The root of ginseng is dried and used to make capsules, tablets, extracts, teas,... Read more...Glaucoma
A disease of the eye that can lead to vision loss due to damage to the retina and optic nerve. The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age. People with diabetes are twice as likely... Read more...GLP-1 Analogs
Manmade, structurally altered chemical versions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (or GLP-1), which may someday play a role in treating both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 is made in the... Read more...Glucagon
A counterregulatory hormone that works against the action of insulin. Most people with diabetes know that insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. What many don’t know is... Read more...Glucose
The most common of the naturally occurring sugars. Glucose, also known as dextrose, corn sugar, and grape sugar, is found abundantly in such common foods as grapes, figs, other sweet... Read more...Glucotoxicity
Damage to the body cells that make and use insulin that’s caused by high blood sugar levels. Glucotoxicity may be partly responsible for the insulin resistance and impaired insulin... Read more...Glycogen
The chief storage form of carbohydrate in animals (including humans). Glycogen is stored mainly in the body’s liver and muscle tissue. When blood glucose levels are high, excess glucose... Read more...Glyconutrients
Eight specific sugars, or saccharides, found naturally in certain plants. These sugars include fucose, galactose, glucose, mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine,... Read more... - H
- HbA1c
Shorthand for hemoglobin A1c or glycosylated hemoglobin, an indicator of blood glucose control over the previous two to three months. Hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells,... Read more...Hemochromatosis
A common inherited disorder in which the body absorbs and stores abnormally high amounts of iron, causing damage to certain organs. Hemochromatosis tends to coexist with diabetes, for... Read more...Homeopathy
An alternative therapy based on the theory that “like cures like.” Homeopathy was developed in the late eighteenth century by a German doctor named Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann... Read more...Homeostasis
Constancy in a system, such as the human body, maintained by sensing, feedback, and control mechanisms. A familiar example of a system in homeostasis is a house with a thermostat. When... Read more...Hyperlipidemia
A blanket term for abnormally high levels of lipids, such as cholesterol, in the bloodstream. Read more...Hypnotherapy
Therapy using hypnosis, a state of mind in which people are extremely open to suggestion. Hypnosis has been used with at least some success in helping people control pain, curb unwanted... Read more...Hypoglycemia
Blood sugar too low to fuel the body’s activities. The normal range for blood sugar is about 60 mg/dl (milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood) to 120 mg/dl, depending on when a... Read more...Hypoglycemia Unawareness
A condition in which a person with diabetes does not experience the usual early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Read more... - I
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
A device, implanted in the body, that detects potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythms and delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. The electric impulse may be... Read more...Incretin Hormone
A hormone that stimulates insulin secretion in response to meals. The two most important incretin hormones are called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic... Read more...Inflammation
The body’s protective response to infection and injury. When a sentinel white blood cell detects a foreign substance in the body, it sends out chemicals that make nearby blood vessels... Read more...Injection Site Rotation
The systematic switching of insulin injections from one site to another. For years, doctors have emphasized the need for people with diabetes to rotate their injection sites rather than... Read more...Insulin
A hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas to help move glucose from the blood into body cells for energy. People with Type 1 diabetes lose the ability to produce insulin and... Read more...Insulin Analog
A man-made substance resembling insulin in which the molecular structure has been altered for a more desirable effect. Read more...Insulin Detemir
A new, long-acting insulin analog (modified, synthetic form of insulin) that acts in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours. Marketed under the brand name Levemir, detemir is approved for... Read more...Insulin Pump
A small, battery-powered pump designed to deliver insulin into the user’s body 24 hours a day according to a preset program. An insulin pump, which is about the size of a beeper or... Read more...Insulin Resistance
A condition in which the body needs extra insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Along with abnormal insulin secretion, it is a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes. Read more...Insulin Sensitivity Factor
The drop in blood glucose level, measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), caused by each unit of insulin taken. Knowing their insulin sensitivity factor can help people with Type 1... Read more...Insulin-to-Carbohydrate Ratio
A ratio that specifies the number of grams of carbohydrate covered by each unit of rapid- or short-acting insulin. This ratio serves as the foundation for adjusting premeal bolus insulin... Read more...Intermittent Claudication
Cramping, “on-again, off-again” leg pain brought on by walking. Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral vascular disease, in which atherosclerosis clogs blood vessels... Read more...Isolated Systolic Hypertension
A specific type of high blood pressure in which a person has a high systolic blood pressure but relatively normal diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure readings, measured in... Read more... - K
- Ketones
By-products formed when the body breaks down fat for energy. When the body is starved of glucose or, as in the case of Type 1 diabetes, does not have enough insulin to use the glucose... Read more... - L
- Lactic Acidosis
The buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. This medical emergency most commonly results from oxygen deprivation in the body’s tissues, impaired liver function, respiratory failure,... Read more...Lancet
A pointed piece of surgical steel encased in plastic, used to puncture the skin on one’s finger (or other body part) to get a blood sample. Other types of lancets are used for making... Read more...Lipid Profile
A blood test, or the results of a blood test, that measures levels of lipids, or fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Factors such as your age, sex, and genetics influence your... Read more...Lipoprotein (a)
A particular type of lipoprotein, or molecule composed of proteins and fats that transports cholesterol and other lipids throughout the bloodstream. Lipoprotein (a) is often abbreviated... Read more... - M
- Macular Degeneration
Breakdown of the light-sensitive cells in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause... Read more...Macular Edema
Swelling of the central part of the retina of the eye, which can cause blurred vision. Macular edema is just one facet of diabetic retinopathy, or retinal disease. Read more...Melatonin
A hormone secreted by the pineal gland that may help regulate a person’s circadian (approximately 24-hour) rhythm, including the sleep-wake cycle. Darkness stimulates the production and... Read more...Metabolism
The sum of all the chemical processes in the body involved in creating and using energy to carry out vital functions such as digestion, growth, breathing, temperature regulation, and... Read more...Metformin
A popular oral drug for treating Type 2 diabetes. Metformin (brand name Glucophage) is a member of a class of drugs called biguanides that helps lower blood sugar levels by improving the... Read more... - N
- Nephropathy
A complication of diabetes that damages the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood. Diabetic nephropathy is the single most common cause of kidney failure in the Western world.... Read more...Neuropathy
Damage to nerves. In people with diabetes, neuropathy is generally caused by high blood sugar levels, but there are other possible causes of neuropathy, such as a B vitamin deficiency,... Read more...Nighttime Hypoglycemia
An episode of low blood glucose occurring at night. During sleep, the body’s energy needs fall, and consequently the liver pumps out less glucose, the body’s fuel. In people without... Read more...Nitric Oxide
A clear, colorless gas that performs a number of important functions in the body. It seems to play a role in several medical conditions, including septic shock, dementia, and impotence,... Read more... - O
- Off-Label
A term used to describe the prescribing of a drug for a condition for which it was not specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Increasingly, medical researchers... Read more...Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A type of polyunsaturated fat believed to have multiple health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids get their name from the structure of their molecules, in which the first of several double... Read more...Ophthalmologist
A medical doctor specializing in diseases of the eye. People often get confused between opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. An optician can fill prescriptions for corrective... Read more...Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
A screening test for diabetes that involves testing an individual’s plasma glucose level after he drinks a solution containing 75 grams of glucose. Currently, a person is diagnosed with... Read more...Osteopathy
An approach to the practice of medicine that incorporates the usual forms of medical diagnosis and treatment, but emphasizes the role of the musculoskeletal system in health and disease.... Read more... - P
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
A condition in which the arteries in the legs, and sometimes the arms, are narrowed by fatty plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). Peripheral vascular disease is 20 times more common in people... Read more...Pernicious Anemia
A condition in which the body cannot make enough red blood cells due to a deficiency in vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is somewhat more common in people with Type 1 diabetes than it is in... Read more...Placebo
A pill or preparation with no medicinal value, given either to please a patient or to help test a given therapy. Latin for “I shall be pleasing,” a placebo is traditionally an... Read more...Plant Insulin
Insulin from genetically modified plants. To meet the rising demand for insulin, a biotechnology company called SemBioSys Genetics, Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is developing plants... Read more...Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A metabolic disorder estimated to affect more than six million reproductive-age women in the United States. It is believed to raise a woman’s risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular... Read more...Portal Vein
The vein that carries blood from the abdominal organs to the liver. The portal vein, which measures about 8 centimeters long, begins at the juncture of the superior mesenteric and splenic... Read more...Positive Psychology
A branch of psychology that emphasizes increasing happiness rather than directly repairing the symptoms of depression. Researchers in positive psychology have identified three components... Read more...Postprandial Hyperglycemia
An exaggerated rise in blood sugar following a meal. In people who don’t have diabetes, the pancreas secretes some insulin all the time. It increases its output as blood glucose rises... Read more...PPAR Agonists
A family of drugs that activate certain proteins in the body called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). The PPAR agonists can help to improve blood glucose levels and... Read more...Prediabetes
A condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated, but not yet within the diabetic range. Prediabetes is also known as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance... Read more...Pregabalin
A newly approved oral drug for treating neuropathic pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Pregabalin is marketed by Pfizer under the brand name Lyrica. Read more...Pressure Sore
A sore, or ulcer, caused by prolonged pressure against the skin and underlying tissue. The pressure cuts the blood flow to the affected area; the resulting ulcer can be extremely painful,... Read more...Proteinuria
The presence of protein in the urine, an early sign of kidney disease. One of the major medical complications of diabetes is diabetic nephropathy, a type of kidney disease that develops... Read more...Pulsatile Intravenous Insulin Therapy (PIVIT)
A treatment for difficult-to-treat cases of diabetes, involving weekly six-hour sessions in which a special pump delivers Resistant Starch in programmed pulses. This treatment, which more... Read more... - R
- Reiki
An “energy-based” therapy that originated in Japan. The development of Reiki is usually credited to a 19th-century Japanese physician and monk named Mikao Usui, who trained others in... Read more...Remnant-Like Particle Cholesterol
Cholesterol carried by remnant lipoproteins, which are formed by the metabolism of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons (lipoproteins that are rich in triglycerides). Read more...Renin
An enzyme released into the blood by cells of the kidney. Through a series of chemical reactions, renin converts angiotensinogen (a protein released into the blood by the liver) to... Read more...Resistant Starch
A type of starch that is resistant to (not easily broken down by) digestive enzymes, so it is absorbed much more slowly into the bloodstream than other starches. For this reason,... Read more...Restless Legs Syndrome
A sleep disorder characterized by unpleasant creeping, crawling, tingling, or painful sensations in the legs during rest. It is believed to affect as many as 12 million Americans, and... Read more...Resveratrol
A component of red wine that may help to extend one’s life span and slow the development of age-related diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Some researchers believe that the... Read more...Retinal Detachment
Separation of the retina from the layer of cells behind it. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue lining the inside of the eye; it sends visual signals to the brain. Detachment... Read more...Retinopathy
A disease of the retina, the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye, associated with diabetes. After having diabetes for 20 years, nearly all people with Type 1 diabetes and more... Read more...Rhabdomyolysis
The breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers into the bloodstream. Some of these breakdown products can be toxic to the kidneys and cause kidney damage. Rhabdomyolysis can be caused by trauma... Read more... - S
- Salsalate
An anti-inflammatory drug similar to aspirin that may someday be used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Researchers now believe that inflammation, part of the body’s immune response... Read more...Second-Phase Insulin Injection
A prolonged phase of insulin secretion by the pancreas in response to glucose entering the bloodstream. Read more...Serotonin Syndrome
A life-threatening condition characterized by dangerously high levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that carries nerve impulses between... Read more...Sleep Apnea
A sleep disorder in which breathing stops for 10 seconds or more during sleep, sometimes as often as 300 times a night. Research suggests that diabetes can cause—and be caused... Read more...Somogyi Effect
The tendency of the body to react to extremely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) by overcompensating, resulting in high blood sugar. The Somogyi effect, also known as the “rebound”... Read more...Statins
A class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Statins work by blocking the action of an enzyme that controls the production of cholesterol. By... Read more...Stem Cells
Cells that have the ability to divide for indefinite periods and, under the right conditions, give rise to many different types of cells. Some scientists believe that stem cells are a... Read more...Stress Test
Evaluation of the heart while it is working harder and beating faster than usual, such as during exercise. Stress testing may help uncover heart problems that may not be evident while the... Read more...Stroke
Damage to brain tissue caused by a disruption in blood flow to the brain. Strokes can be fatal and can result in temporary or permanent disability. Common aftereffects of a stroke include... Read more...Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Abrupt loss of heart function. Sudden cardiac arrest is often fatal. The victim of sudden cardiac death may or may not have diagnosed heart disease, but the most common cause of sudden... Read more...Sugar Alcohols
Carbohydrates that have been chemically transformed into alcohols. Sugar alcohols are less sweet and less caloric than table sugar. Because they are absorbed into the bloodstream more... Read more...Sulfonylureas
A class of drugs used in treating Type 2 diabetes. The first line of treatment for Type 2 diabetes consists of dietary changes and exercise, which help people with diabetes lose weight,... Read more...Surrogate Beta Cells
Cells that have been genetically manipulated to act like the beta cells of the pancreas, which sense glucose levels and make and release insulin. It is hoped that surrogate beta cells could... Read more...Syndrome X
A cluster of interrelated conditions that greatly increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Syndrome X is commonly characterized by insulin resistance, high blood... Read more... - T
- T Cells
A type of lymphocyte (one of the varieties of white blood cell) that plays an important role in the immune response. The “T” stands for thymus-derived, since the thymus is the organ... Read more...Thiazolidinediones
A class of oral diabetes drugs, commonly nicknamed “glitazones.” Unlike the traditional oral drugs called sulfonylureas, which lower blood glucose levels by making the pancreas secrete... Read more...Tight Control
A method of intensive diabetes self-management that involves keeping blood glucose levels as close as possible to normal without causing severe or frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (low... Read more...Trans Fatty Acids
Fatty acids that are produced when food manufacturers hydrogenate fats and oils. This not only changes their texture, but also their effects in the body: In many ways, trans fatty acids... Read more...Transient Ischemic Attack
A temporary interruption of blood supply (and oxygen) to part of the brain, also known as a ministroke. The symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) are similar to those of a stroke,... Read more...Triglycerides
The main storage form of fat in the body. Most are found in fat tissue, but some circulate in the bloodstream to provide fuel for the body’s cells. The triglyceride molecule is composed... Read more...Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the pancreas produces little or no ... Read more...Type 1.5 Diabetes
A form of diabetes sometimes called “double diabetes,” in which an adult has aspects of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Over the past three decades, diabetes researchers have... Read more...Type 2 Diabetes
In Type 2 diabetes, there are two main underlying reasons for high blood glucose: insulin resistance, a condition in which the body does not use insulin efficiently, and insufficient... Read more... - U
- Urine Glucose Test
Test for glycosuria, the excretion of glucose in the urine. The test for urine glucose uses a small dipstick that changes color after it has been dipped in urine. Matching the color on ... Read more... - V
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
A growth factor, or protein, that encourages the growth of cells on the inner walls of blood vessels (endothelial cells). It appears to play an important role in angiogenesis, the... Read more...Vitiligo
A disorder in which melanocytes, the cells that make pigment in the skin, the mucous membranes, and the retina of the eye, are destroyed, leading to the development of white patches on... Read more... - W
- White Coat Hypertension
A condition in which blood pressure is high in the doctor’s office but generally seems to be normal at other times. Many experts believe that nervousness may be responsible for this... Read more... - X
- Xenotransplantation
The grafting of cells, tissues, or entire organs from one species to another. Today, the number of people needing organ transplants far exceeds the supply of human donor organs.... Read more...