A
ACE inhibitors
Medications commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure; this class of drugs also slows the progression of kidney disease in people with diabetes.
adrenergic symptoms
Symptoms, including sweating and heart palpitations, that occur when low blood glucose levels trigger the release of the hormone epinephrine into the blood.
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Oral diabetes drugs that inhibit intestinal enzymes that digest complex carbohydrates and sucrose, delaying the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood. Examples are acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset).
antioxidants
Substances that help the body neutralize free radicals, which can cause cell damage. Naturally occurring antioxidants include beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium.
atherosclerosis
An accumulation of deposits of fat and fibrous tissue, called plaques, within the walls of arteries that can narrow these blood vessels and reduce blood flow.
autonomic neuropathy
Damage to nerves that control involuntary actions in the body, such as digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
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B
biguanides
Oral diabetes drugs that decrease glucose production by the liver and increase glucose uptake by cells. Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza) is the only available biguanide.
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C
cardiovascular disease
Disease affecting the arteries that supply blood to the heart and other organs. Coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease are the most common types of cardiovascular disease.
cataract
A cloudiness (opacification) of the lens of the eye that can lead to visual impairment.
coronary heart disease (CHD)
A narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Caused by atherosclerosis, CHD can reduce or completely block blood flow to the heart.
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D
diabetic foot ulcer
An open sore on the foot that occurs in people with diabetes who have damage to nerves and/or have poor blood flow to the feet.
diabetic ketoacidosis
An acute complication of diabetes (usually type 1) that results from a nearly complete lack of insulin. The body is forced to use fatty acids instead of glucose as a major source of energy. The resulting breakdown of fatty acids to ketone bodies raises the acidity of the blood to dangerous levels. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, heavy breathing, dry or flushed skin, and fruity breath.
diuretics
Drugs that increase urine production by enhancing loss of sodium through the kidneys. Diuretics are used to eliminate excess fluid from the body and to treat high blood pressure.
D-phenylalanine derivatives
Oral diabetes drugs that stimulate rapid insulin secretion to reduce the rise in blood glucose that occurs soon after eating. The only such drug available is nateglinide (Starlix).
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E
external insulin pump
A pump, usually worn on a belt, that delivers a continuous flow of insulin (plus additional amounts before meals) through a needle inserted under the skin of the abdomen or thigh.
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F
fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test
Measures blood glucose levels after an overnight fast. Diabetes is diagnosed if blood glucose is above 125 mg/dL on at least two tests.
free radicals
Chemical compounds that can damage cells and oxidize low-density lipoproteins, making them more likely to be deposited in the walls of arteries.
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G
gestational diabetes
A type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. About 2–5% of pregnant women develop the condition, which goes away after childbirth. It signals a high risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
glaucoma
An eye disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve. Increased pressure within the eyeball is a risk factor for developing glaucoma.
glucagon
A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to convert amino acids and glycogen to glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. Glucagon may be given by injection to raise blood glucose levels when severe hypoglycemia occurs.
glucose
A simple sugar that circulates in the blood and provides energy to the body. Excess glucose is converted to glycogen or triglycerides.
glucose transporters
Proteins that carry glucose from the outside of a cell to the inside.
glycogen
A complex carbohydrate that is stored in the liver and muscles until it is needed for energy.
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H
hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test
A test that measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin. The test is routinely used to assess blood glucose control over the previous two to three months.
high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
A lipid-carrying protein that protects against atherosclerosis by removing cholesterol deposited in artery walls.
hyperglycemia
High blood glucose levels.
hyperosmolar nonketotic state
A medical emergency characterized by extremely high blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is usually caused by the physical stress of an injury or major illness. Symptoms include dry or parched mouth, nausea, vomiting, rapid and shallow breathing, and warm, dry skin.
hypoglycemia
Low blood glucose levels that can cause symptoms such as shaking and sweating and may progress to confusion, sleepiness, or even coma. Can be reversed by eating a fast-acting carbohydrate or, if necessary, by injecting glucagon.
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I
implantable insulin pump
A pump placed under the skin of the abdomen that delivers insulin at a constant rate (with added amounts for meals) through a catheter into the abdominal cavity. Not approved for use in the United States.
insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the production of glucose by the liver and the utilization of glucose by cells. Insulin is also a medication used by people with diabetes whose pancreas does not make enough insulin.
insulin pen
A combined insulin container and needle that makes injection of insulin more convenient.
insulin syringe
A syringe with a needle used to inject insulin; the most common way to administer insulin.
intermediate-acting insulin
Insulin medication that begins working in two to four hours, peaks at four to eight hours, and lasts for about 12–20 hours. NPH insulin is an example.
islets of Langerhans
Cellular masses in the pancreas that contain insulin- and glucagon-secreting cells; also called pancreatic islets.
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J
jet injector
A needle-free way of injecting insulin that uses a high-pressure jet of air to send a fine stream of insulin through the skin.
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K
ketoacidosis
Dangerously increased acidity of the blood, which occurs when extremely low insulin levels cause the breakdown of triglycerides in fat cells, releasing fatty acids into the bloodstream.
ketones
Toxic substances formed from the breakdown of fatty acids.
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L
laser photocoagulation
A treatment for proliferative retinopathy or macular edema that slows or halts vision loss by destroying diseased blood vessels in the retina.
long-acting insulin
Insulin medication that has no peak activity and lasts for up to 18–24 hours. Examples are insulin glargine (Lantus) and insulin detemir (Levemir).
low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
A protein that transports cholesterol in the blood; excessive amounts are a major contributor to atherosclerosis.
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M
macular edema
Swelling around the macula, a small area at the center of the retina of the eye that is responsible for central and fine-detail vision.
meglitinides
Oral diabetes drugs that promote the secretion of insulin by the pancreas when blood glucose is elevated after a meal. The only approved drug in this class is repaglinide (Prandin).
metabolic syndrome
A condition characterized by a group of findings, including elevated blood glucose levels, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. Associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
microalbuminuria
Small amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine that are a first sign of kidney dysfunction.
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N
nephropathy
Kidney disease.
neuropathy
Nerve damage.
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O
oral glucose tolerance test
A test in which a person fasts overnight and then drinks a solution containing 75 g of glucose. Diabetes is diagnosed if two hours later blood glucose is 200 mg/dL or more.
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P
pancreas
An organ located behind and beneath the lower part of the stomach that produces and secretes insulin and glucagon.
pancreatic islets
see islets of Langerhans.
peripheral arterial disease
Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to the legs and feet.
peripheral neuropathy
A slow, progressive loss of function of the sensory nerves in the limbs that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the legs and hands.
prediabetes
A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal (100–125 mg/dL) but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes (126 mg/dL or more).
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Q
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R
rapid-acting insulin
Insulin medication that begins working in five to 15 minutes, peaks at 30–60 minutes, and lasts for about four to six hours.
regular insulin
Insulin medication that begins working in 30 minutes, peaks at 1.5–2 hours, and lasts for about eight to 10 hours.
retinopathy
Damage to the retina caused by changes in the tiny blood vessels that supply the retina.
statins
Drugs that reduce blood levels of cholesterol by blocking its formation.
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S
sulfonylureas
Oral diabetes drugs that stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Examples are chlorpropamide (Diabinese) and glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase).
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T
thiazolidinediones
Oral diabetes drugs that increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Examples are pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia).
tight glucose control
Achieving near-normal levels of blood glucose by monitoring blood glucose several times a day and adjusting doses of insulin or oral diabetes drugs accordingly.
type 1 diabetes
An autoimmune disease that destroys the ability of beta cells in the pancreas to make insulin and occurs most commonly in children and young adults. Daily insulin injections are necessary to stay alive.
type 2 diabetes
The most common type of diabetes. Develops when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to overcome the body’s resistance to insulin action.
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U
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V
vitreous humor
A thick, gel-like substance that fills the back of the eyeball behind the lens.
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W
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X
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Y
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Z
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Derived from The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Diabetes
Look In the Book: The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Diabetes
copyright 2007 Johns Hopkins Health Alerts.
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Posted in Diabetes on October 14, 2007
Reviewed July 2009
