Diabetes Dictionary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Acetone
See ketones.

Adrenal
A gland of the endocrine system that produces essential hormones including adrenalin and cortisone.

Albumin
A water soluble protein present in the urine with kidney damage (albuminuria).

Alpha Cells
Cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone glucagon.

Angiography
A rapid series of pictures of blood vessels made after a dye has been injected.

Antibodies
Substances occurring naturally in the body that help fight infection.

Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis
Thickening, hardening and narrowing of the arteries.

Artery
A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Aspartame
A low kilojoule artificial sweetener.

B

Basal Bolus Injections
Insulin injections four times a day.

Beta Cells
Cells in the pancreas that make the hormone insulin.

Blood Glucose Level (BGL)
The amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood stream.

Blood Glucose Meter
A device used to measure blood glucose levels.

Bovine (beef) insulin
Insulin extracted from the pancreas of cattle. Has been replaced by human insulin.

C

Callus
A hardened or thickened part of the skin caused by pressing or rubbing.

Calorie
A measure of the energy value of foods (now replaced by kilojoule). 1 calorie = 4.2 kilojoules.

Candida
A yeast like fungus infection often affecting the female genital area.

Capillary
Tiny blood vessels that connect the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.

Carbohydrate
A nutrient in food that provides a major source of energy. Usually found in grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy foods. Is broken down to glucose in the blood stream and raises blood glucose levels (BGLs).

Cardiovascular
Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.

Cataract
An opacity in the lens of the eye.

Cell
The microscopic unit that forms the basis of all living things.

Cholesterol
A fatty waxy substance made by the body and also found in some foods. High levels of cholesterol in the blood stream are a risk factor for heart disease.

Claudication
Pain in the calf muscles occurring on exercise and disappearing with rest. Caused by decreased blood supply.

Coeliac Disease
A condition where there is an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in foods that causes damage to the small intestine.

Coma
Loss of consciousness from any cause. In diabetes from very high or very low blood glucose levels.

Complications
The long term effects of uncontrolled diabetes on the body.

Convulsion
A fit or seizure that can be a symptom of severe or untreated hypoglycaemia.

Creatinine
A waste product normally removed by the kidneys.

Cyclamate
A low kilojoule artificial sweetener.

Cystitis
An inflammation of the urinary bladder.

D

Dehydration
Loss of water or fluid from the body.

Dextrose
See glucose.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
An sudden loss of control of type 1 diabetes with high blood glucose levels and breakdown of fat leading to a build up of acids in the blood with nausea, vomiting and dehydration. Without urgent medical attention, DKA can lead to coma and death.

Diabetes
Disease in which the body cannot produce insulin or use insulin properly. Characterised by high blood glucose levels.

Diabetes Educator
A health professional who specialises in providing education about the management of diabetes.

Diabetes Dietitian
A health professional who provides advice on the dietary management of diabetes.

Dialysis
Artificial removal of waste products from the blood when the kidneys fail.

Digestion
Breaking down food in the stomach and intestines.

E

Electrocardiograph (ECG)
The recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

Endocrine Glands
Glands that produce chemicals (hormones) which affect other body cells.

Endocrinologist
A doctor who specialises in the management of diseases of the glands, including the adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, parathyroid glands, ovaries, testicles and pancreas.

Enzyme
A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction.

Erectile Dysfunction
See impotence.

Exchanges
Servings of food that contain the same quantity of carbohydrate. Also known as portions or serves.

F

Fat Atrophy/Hypertrophy
Hollows (atrophy) or lumps (hypertrophy) that occur at sites of repeated insulin injection.

Fibre
Food substances found in cereals, fruit and vegetables that are not digested but help the function of the intestines.

Fit
A convulsion or seizure that can be a symptom of severe or untreated hypoglycaemia.

Fluorescein
A harmless yellow coloured dye that is used to outline the vessels of the eye.

Fructosamine
A glycated protein like glycated haemoglobin that measures glucose control over the preceding weeks.

Fructose
A sugar found in fruits.

G

Gangrene
Death of body tissue usually caused by lack of blood supply.

Gestational
Referring to the period of pregnancy from conception to birth.

Glomerulus
A tiny tuft of blood vessels that is part of the functional unit of the kidney.

Glucose
The body’s main source of energy in the blood and cells.

Glucose Tolerance Test
A diagnostic test for diabetes involving a drink of glucose and a series of blood glucose estimations.

Glucagon
A hormone made by the pancreas that causes the liver to release glucose from body stores. Manufactured glucagon is injected to raise blood glucose levels in a person with severe hypoglycaemia.

Glycemic Index
A ranking of carbohydrate foods according to their effect on blood glucose levels after eating.

Glycosuria
The presence of glucose in the urine.

H

Haemoglobin
The red coloured iron protein that carries oxygen in red cells.

HbA1c
A test to identify the average blood glucose level over the last 2-3 months. Also known as glycosylated haemoglobin.

HLA
Human leucocyte antigens which are natural markers on white blood cells much the same as blood groups on red cells.

Honeymoon Period
A remission phase after the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes when there is partial, temporary recovery of insulin production by the pancreas. The amount of injected insulin required to manage diabetes is significantly reduced. The honeymoon period lasts a few months to a year.

Hormone
A chemical substance produced by endocrine glands which causes specific effects on other cells.

Human Insulin
Insulin that has been manufactured to be identical to that produced naturally in the human pancreas.

Hyperglycaemia
Blood glucose levels higher than the desirable range.

Hypertension
High blood pressure.

Hypoglycaemia
Blood glucose levels lower than the desirable range.

I

IDDM
Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus, now known as Type 1 diabetes.

Immune system
A system of the body that provides protection from infection.

Impotence
The inability in males to start, sustain or complete the act of sexual intercourse.

Insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that is responsible for controlling blood glucose levels.

Insulin Dependent Diabetes
See type 1 diabetes.

Insulin Resistance
The inability of the body to recognise and use insulin as it should.

Intramuscular
Administration of a medication through a needle into the muscles.

Intravenous
Administration of a medication through a needle into a vein.

Islet Cell (of Langerhans)
Clusters of cells in the pancreas which include the beta (insulin producing) and alpha (glucagon producing) cells.

J

Juvenile Onset Diabetes
Another name for Type 1 diabetes.

K

Ketoacidosis
Uncontrolled blood glucose and ketone levels that cause dehydration, concentration of body fluids, build up of acids (acidosis) and coma.

Ketones
Acids in the blood formed when body fat instead of glucose is used up to provide energy.

Ketones in the Urine (Ketonuria)
Warns of ketoacidosis.

Kilojoule
A measurement of the energy of food which has replaced calorie (1 calorie = 4.2 kilojoules).

L

Lactic Acidosis
A serious condition caused by the build up of lactic acid which is produced from glucose when there is not enough oxygen. Similar effects as ketoacidosis.

Lactose
A sugar found in milk.

Lancets
A sharp needle like device used to prick the skin to test the blood glucose level.

Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
An intense narrow beam of light which can be used to head damaged areas in the body (eg. blood vessels in the eye).

Lipohypertrophy
Fatty lumps that form when insulin is constantly injected into the same area.

Long acting insulin
Insulin that is absorbed slowly into the body after injection. Commonly used in conjunction with short acting insulin in the management of type 1 diabetes in children. Includes new the long acting glargine, which lasts up to 24 hours avoiding peaks of action.

M

Macrovascular
Referring to the large blood vessels of the body.

Maturity Onset Diabetes
See type 2 diabetes.

Metabolism
The physical and chemical changes occurring in the body.

Metformin
A tablet that lowers blood glucose levels by blocking the release of glucose from the liver. Usually used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, sometimes used for weight management in children with type 1 diabetes.

Microvascular
Referring to the small blood vessels of the body.

Millimole (mmol)
A unit for measuring the concentration of glucose and other substances in the blood.

Microalbuminuria
Leakage of small amounts of protein into the urine.

Monilia
See Candida.

Monounsaturated fat
A healthy fat that may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Found in olive and canola oil, nuts and avocadoes.

N

NDSS
The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is a Federal Government funded initiative, administered on behalf of the Government by Diabetes Australia. For further information see Advocacy and Support.

Nephropathy
Damage to the kidneys.

Neuropathy
Damage to parts of the nervous system.

NIDDM
Non Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus, now known as type 2 diabetes.

O

Obesity
The condition of severe overweight.

Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents
Medications taken by mouth that stimulate the release or improve the action of insulin.

P

Paediatric
About children.

Paediatric Endocrinologist
A doctor who specialises in the management of diseases of the glands, including the adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, parathyroid glands, ovaries, testicles and pancreas in children.

Pancreas
A gland or organ behind the stomach that produces hormones such as insulin.

Photocoagulation
Use of the laser to treat diabetic eye disease.

Plasma
The liquid portion of blood.

Polydipsia
Excessive thirst and drinking large amounts of water.

Polyunsaturated fat
A healthy fat that may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Found in fish, vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, nuts and seeds.

Polyuria
Passing large amounts of urine due to excess glucose in the blood stream.

Porcine (pork) insulin
Insulin extracted from the pancreas of pigs. Has been replaced by human insulin.

Portions
See exchanges.

Prandial
Referring to meals eg. pre-prandial: before meals, post prandial: after meals.

Protein
A nutrient in food that is important for growth, development and repair of tissues. Found in high quantities in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes and dairy foods.

Pruritus
Itching.

R

Renal Threshold
The blood glucose level above which glucose spills into the urine.

Retinopathy
Damage to the small blood vessels at the back of the eye.

S

Saccharin
A low kilojoule artificial sweetener.

Saturated fat
A type of fat that has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. Found in animal foods such as butter, full fat dairy foods, and fatty meats, as well as many processed and takeaway foods.

Sharps
A word commonly used to describe syringes, pen needles and lancets used by people with diabetes and requiring safe disposal after use.

Short acting insulin
Insulin that is absorbed quickly into the body after injection. Commonly used in conjunction with long acting insulin in the management of type 1 diabetes in children.

Sliding Scale
A term used for insulin adjustment based on blood glucose levels.

Social Worker
A health professional who helps families cope with the diagnosis of diabetes and the impact on family life.

Sorbitol
A sugar used to sweeten foods.

Subcutaneous
Underneath the skin.

Sucrose
A common widely available sugar from sugar cane or sugar beet.

Sugars
A type of carbohydrate. May be found as an added sugar eg. glucose and sucrose or a natural sugar in foods eg. fructose in fruit or lactose milk.

T

Thrush
See Candida.

Thyroid
A gland in the base of the neck that produces hormones to help control the body’s physical and chemical changes.

Triglyceride
A type of fat found in the blood and other parts of the body.

Type 1 diabetes
Also known as insulin dependant diabetes, occurs when the pancreas stops making insulin. Requires daily insulin injections for survival.

Type 2 diabetes
Also known as non- insulin dependant diabetes, occurs when there is either insufficient insulin or the insulin produced does not work effectively.

U

Ultra short acting insulin
These insulins are absorbed after injection and have a shorter duration than short acting insulins eg. Humalog and Novorapid.

Unit
The measurement of the dose of insulin.

Uraemia
Build up of poisons because of kidney failure.

V

Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart.