glucose tolerance test , The glucose tolerance test is a blood test to determine if a person has diabetes. After a person drinks a sugar-filled liquid, their blood is taken every hour or at a two-hour point after ingesting the liquid. After two hours, if the person’s glucose is over 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter), they are considered to be diabetic.
glycemic index (GI) , The glycemic index ranks foods containing equal amounts of carbohydrates based on how much they raise a person’s blood glucose level. Each food has a certain high or low ranking. For example, the carbohydrate in a slice of 100 percent stone-ground whole wheat bread (a low glycemic index food) may have less impact on blood glucose than a slice of processed white bread (a high glycemic index food).
glycemic load (GL) , The glycemic load ranks the carbohydrates in foods and how much they raise a person’s blood glucose level. It uses the glycemic index (GI) system’s value and the carbohydrate content in an average serving of a food, a meal or a day’s worth of food. It is considered to be a more accurate view of how carbohydrates affect a person’s glucose values than the glycemic index.
glycogen , Glycogen is the glucose that is stored in muscles and liver.
hormone , A hormone is a natural chemical produced by an organ in the body. In most cases, a hormone travels in the blood and affects other organs and cells.
hyperglycemia , Hyperglycemia means a person has high blood glucose levels. A high reading is usually considered 160 mg/dl (milligrams/deciliter) or above a person’s individual blood glucose target.
hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) , Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is considered to be a serious (but uncommon) condition resulting from extremely high levels of blood glucose. Symptoms include excessive urination and severe dehydration (but it is not associated with ketones in the blood or urine).
hypertension , In general, hypertension is also called high blood pressure (blood flows through the blood vessels with a greater than normal force). Although there is disagreement, it is defined as a blood pressure equal to or greater than 140/90 mm Hg (systolic over diastolic pressures). It also is associated with adults who have diabetes, and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems.
hypoglycemia , Hypoglycemia is an often serious condition in which a person’s blood glucose drops below 80 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) with or without symptoms or below 90 mg/dl with symptoms. Symptoms can include confusion, sweating, heart palpitations, shaking, anxiety, and many other conditions, many of which the person who is having the attack is not even aware of the lower glucose levels. Such low blood glucose levels can occur for a multitude of reasons, such as during or after exercise, if too much insulin is present, or not enough food is consumed.
hypoglycemia unawareness , Hypoglycemia unawareness is a complication of diabetes in which a person is not aware that their blood glucose levels are dropping. This occurs because the usual trigger, a drop in the glucose that causes the secretion of epinephrine, or adrenaline, does not occur. Because of this, none of the “usual” symptoms of a hypoglycemic event are generated, such as sweating, heart palpitations, and/or shaking.
impaired fasting glucose (IFG) , Impaired fasting glucose means a person’s fasting glucose level is between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl. If a person has a fasting blood test and the results are between these levels, it usually means that they have prediabetes.
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) , The impaired glucose tolerance is often used as another term for prediabetes. It means a person’s blood glucose level, after a two-hour glucose tolerance test, is between 140 and 199 mg/dl. This is usually an indication that the person has prediabetes.
insulin , In the body, insulin is a natural hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose pass into the cells. In the cells, it is used to create energy for the body.
insulin pen , The insulin pen is an insulin delivery method that looks like a writing pen. It is a customized syringe used to inject insulin into a person with diabetes.
insulin pump , An insulin pump (usually computerized) is an insulin delivery system. It is usually a small mechanical device, typically the size of a beeper or small cell phone. It works by releasing insulin into the tissues of the body through a combination of tubing and a needle.
insulin reaction , An insulin reaction is when a person has low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) resulting from either too much insulin, too much activity, or too little food.
insulin resistance , Insulin resistance is a condition that makes it harder for cells to properly use insulin; it also means the body does not respond normally to the action of insulin. People who have insulin resistance can develop type 2 diabetes.
insulin sensitivity factor , Also called the correction factor or supplemental factor, the insulin sensitivity factor is the amount of blood glucose measured in milligrams per deciliter that can be lowered by taking one unit of rapid-acting or regular insulin. The insulin sensitivity factor is used to calculate the amount of insulin a person with diabetes needs to return blood glucose levels to within their target range.
insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio , The insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio is a method to determine how much rapid-acting insulin is needed to cover the carbohydrate ingested at a meal or snack.
islet cell transplantation , Islet cell transplantation is when beta cells that produce insulin are donated from a person who has healthy cells into a person whose pancreas no longer produces insulin.
islet cells , The islet cells found in the pancreas make insulin and are also called pancreatic beta cells.
ketoacidosis , See diabetic ketoacidosis.
ketones , Ketones are chemicals made by the body when there is not enough insulin in the blood. Thus, the body must break down fat for energy, which produces ketones. They are usually associated with high blood glucose, but also may occur if a person is ill and blood glucose levels fall below the person’s target range. See also diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
ketonuria , Ketonuria is the presence of ketones in the urine.
ketosis , Ketosis is the excessive formation of ketones in the blood. Signs of ketosis are often nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
lancet , A lancet is a small needle (most often inserted in a spring-loaded device) that is used to prick the skin and obtain a drop of blood for checking blood glucose levels.
metabolic syndrome , Metabolic syndrome is a combination of conditions that increase the risk of developing vascular disease (heart disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease). This syndrome is characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood pressure (or hypertension), high triglycerides, low HDL (the “good” cholesterol), and glucose intolerance.
metabolism , Metabolism is a process in the body by which the cells change food to be used for energy. This also helps to build and maintain cells and tissues throughout the body.
neuropathy , Neuropathy is another word for nerve damage. It can affect certain areas of the body or even organs throughout the body. Nerve damage can be caused by many medical conditions, including uncontrolled high blood glucose levels common in people with diabetes
nocturnal hypoglycemia , Nocturnal hypoglycemia is when a person’s blood glucose drops in the middle of the night.
nonproliferative retinopathy , Nonproliferative retinopathy is the initial stage in diabetic retinopathy. It is caused by high levels of blood glucose that eventually damage the blood vessels in the retina. This causes the blood vessels to leak fluid, which can collect and cause the retina to swell.
oral glucose-lowering medications , Oral glucose-lowering medications (also referred to as oral antidiabetes medications) refer to the pills taken by people with diabetes (usually type 2). They are usually used in combination with lifestyle changes (especially meals and exercise) and sometimes with other ways of controlling blood glucose levels (such as combinations of oral medications).
pancreas , The pancreas is a small gland located below and just behind the stomach that is responsible for producing the hormone insulin.
peak effect time , The peak effect time is when insulin has its major impact on reducing blood glucose levels in the body.
prediabetes , Prediabetes is a condition in which either a person’s fasting or two-hour post-meal blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
proliferative retinopathy , Proliferative retinopathy is considered a serious stage of diabetic retinopathy in which there is a greater loss of vision or even total blindness. During this stage, abnormal blood vessels grow over the surface of the retina. (Also see nonproliferative retinopathy.)
protein , Proteins are some of the main nutrients from food, along with carbohydrates and fats. The body uses protein to build and repair the body, including muscles, organs, bones, skin, and many of the hormones in the body are made from protein.
quick-acting glucose , Quick-acting glucose is considered to be foods or sugar products that are used to quickly raise a person’s blood glucose levels during a hypoglycemic episode. For example, glucose tablets or gels are often used to raise blood glucose levels.
rapid-acting insulin , Rapid-acting insulin lowers a person’s blood glucose levels within 10 to 30 minutes and works hardest 30 minutes to 3 hours after injection.
rebound hyperglycemia , Rebound hyperglycemia (also called high blood glucose or the Somogyi phenomenon) is a result of too low a level of glucose and stress hormones cause the liver to release too much glucose.
retinopathy , Retinopathy refers to damage to the eye’s retina, the thin, light-sensitive inner lining in the back of the eye. In a person with diabetes, this usually occurs when there is damage to the small blood vessels in the retina from high blood glucose levels.
short-acting insulin , Short-acting insulin is a type of insulin that begins to work to lower blood glucose within 30 to 60 minutes and works hardest 1 to 5 hours after injection. The common form of short-acting insulin is called “regular.”
single dose , Single dose refers to an injection that contains one type of insulin.
syringe , A syringe is a device used to inject medications such as insulin into body tissue.
test strips , Test strips are specially designed strips used in blood glucose meters to check blood glucose levels, or in urine testing for ketones.
triglycerides , Triglycerides are a type of fat stored in fat cells as body fat and burned for energy. High levels of triglycerides are linked with an increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
The Handy Diabetes Answer Book
Index
(Note: italicized page numbers indicates main entry.)
abdomen, 203
abdominal obesity, 68 , 69 , 69 (ill.)
Abel, John Jacob, 13 , 13 (ill.)
absorption, 176
A1c blood glucose levels, 98
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 342 , 343 , 352
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, 269
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 94 , 95 , 95 (ill.)
additives, 319 , 20
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), 123 (ill.)
adiponectin, 138 adjustable gastric band, 208 , 209 (ill.)
adrenal glands, 138 , 39 , 139 (ill.)
advanced glycation end-products, 190
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), 94 , 95 , 95 (ill.)
air pollution, 215
alcohol, 306
alcoholic fatty-liver disease, 182
alimentary canal, 175
allergic reaction, 106
allergies, 106 , 7
aloe vera, 275 , 76
alogliptin, 247
alopecia areata, 133
alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT), 329
alpha and beta cells, 143
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, 245
Alzheimer’s disease, 87 , 156 , 57