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Glossary of Terms

Here’s an extensive glossary of terms related to diabetes, covering a wide range of medical, nutritional, and lifestyle-related vocabulary relevant to diabetes care and education:

A

  • A1C (Hemoglobin A1C):A blood test that reflects average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It’s used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
  • Alpha Cells:Cells in the pancreas that produce glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels.
  • Autoantibodies:Proteins made by the immune system that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues. Found in type 1 diabetes.

B

  • Beta Cells:Cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
  • Blood Glucose (Blood Sugar):The amount of glucose present in the blood.
  • Blood Glucose Monitoring:The routine checking of blood glucose levels using a glucose meter.
  • Basal Insulin:A long-acting insulin that keeps blood sugar stable between meals and overnight.
  • Bolus Insulin:A rapid- or short-acting insulin taken at mealtimes to manage blood sugar spikes.

C

  • Carbohydrate (Carb):A macronutrient that is broken down into glucose and affects blood sugar levels.
  • Carb Counting:A method of meal planning for people with diabetes based on counting the number of grams of carbohydrate in food.
  • Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM):A device that tracks glucose levels throughout the day and night.
  • C-Peptide Test:A test that measures how much insulin your body is producing.
  • Coma (Diabetic Coma):A life-threatening condition that can result from extremely high or low blood sugar levels.

D

  • Dawn Phenomenon:An early morning rise in blood glucose due to natural hormonal changes.
  • Diabetes Mellitus:A group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood due to problems with insulin production or use.
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA):A serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body starts breaking down fats too quickly, leading to high levels of ketones in the blood.
  • Diabetic Neuropathy:Nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels.
  • Diabetes Educator:A healthcare professional who specializes in helping people manage their diabetes.

E

  • Endocrinologist:A doctor who specializes in hormone-related disorders, including diabetes.
  • Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia:Low blood sugar that can occur during or after physical activity.

F

  • Fasting Blood Glucose Test:A test that measures blood glucose after not eating for at least 8 hours.
  • Foot Ulcer:A sore that develops on the feet due to poor circulation or nerve damage; common in people with diabetes.

G

  • Gestational Diabetes:A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
  • Glucagon:A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels.
  • Glucose Tolerance Test:A test used to diagnose diabetes by measuring how well the body processes glucose over time.
  • Glycemic Index:A measure of how quickly a food raises blood glucose levels.

H

  • HbA1C:See A1C.
  • Hyperglycemia:High blood sugar, usually above 180 mg/dL.
  • Hypoglycemia:Low blood sugar, usually below 70 mg/dL.
  • Honeymoon Phase:A temporary remission period after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when the pancreas still produces some insulin.

I

  • Insulin:A hormone that helps glucose enter the cells to be used for energy.
  • Insulin Resistance:A condition where the body does not respond well to insulin.
  • Insulin Pump:A device that delivers continuous insulin through a catheter under the skin.
  • Islets of Langerhans:Groups of pancreatic cells that include beta cells (insulin) and alpha cells (glucagon).

K

  • Ketones:Chemicals produced when the body burns fat for energy; high levels can be dangerous.
  • Ketoacidosis:See Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

L

  • LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults):A slow-progressing form of type 1 diabetes that occurs in adults.
  • Lipohypertrophy:A lump or buildup of fat tissue under the skin from repeated insulin injections at the same site.
  • Long-Acting Insulin:Insulin that works slowly over an extended period, typically 24 hours.

M

  • Metformin:A common oral medication for type 2 diabetes that helps lower blood glucose levels.
  • Meal Plan:A guide for what, when, and how much to eat to manage blood glucose levels.

N

  • Neuropathy:Damage to nerves, often a complication of diabetes.
  • Nephropathy:Kidney disease caused by long-term high blood sugar levels.
  • Non-Fasting Glucose:Blood sugar measurement taken regardless of when food was last eaten.

O

  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT):A test used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.
  • Onset (of insulin):The time it takes for insulin to begin lowering blood sugar after administration.

P

  • Pancreas:The organ that produces insulin and glucagon.
  • Prediabetes:A condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
  • Postprandial Glucose:Blood sugar level after eating.
  • Polydipsia:Excessive thirst, a common symptom of diabetes.
  • Polyuria:Frequent urination, another common symptom of diabetes.

R

  • Retinopathy:Eye damage caused by diabetes; can lead to blindness if untreated.
  • Rapid-Acting Insulin:Insulin that begins to work within 15 minutes of injection.

S

  • Somogyi Effect:A rebound effect where low blood sugar during the night causes a spike in the morning.
  • Sugar Alcohols:Low-calorie sweeteners used in sugar-free products; may still affect blood sugar slightly.
  • Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG):The practice of checking blood sugar levels using a glucometer.

T

  • Type 1 Diabetes:An autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
  • Type 2 Diabetes:A chronic condition affecting how the body processes blood sugar; often linked to insulin resistance.
  • Target Range:The recommended blood glucose levels set by healthcare professionals for optimal diabetes control.

U

  • Units (of insulin):The measurement used to quantify the dose of insulin.
  • Ultralente Insulin:A discontinued form of long-acting insulin.
  • Urine Ketone Test:A test to detect ketones in the urine, often used when blood sugar is very high.

V

  • Vascular Disease:A condition affecting the blood vessels; people with diabetes are at higher risk.

Z

  • Zinc:A mineral that plays a role in insulin production and secretion.