So it makes sense to educate yourself about diabetes, whether it’s type 2 diabetes, the most common form, which is most likely to strike in middle age and happens when your body becomes more resistant to insulin, per the CDC; type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that typically begins in youth and young adults, destroying the cells the body uses to make insulin, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); or another type, such as gestational diabetes or even prediabetes. The following glossary contains information on all of them and more. Plus, it makes sense to understand the warning signs of diabetes, especially if you have risk factors that the American Heart Association (AHA) points out — such as a family history of a form of the disease; or in the case of type 2 diabetes, you are older than age 45, overweight, or belong to a higher-risk population group, such as African American, Hispanic or Latin American, Native American, or Asian American and Pacific Islander descent. If you have these risk factors and also experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, increased appetite or unexplained fatigue, or blurred vision, it’s time to seek a professional opinion. Yet keep in mind, you may have no symptoms at all, according to the AHA. RELATED: 8 Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors You Probably Didn’t Know You will get the best information and advice about diabetes and how to prevent it from a medical professional, especially if that person is a certified diabetes educator (CDE). “These healthcare professionals are specifically trained to provide education on lifestyle, diet, exercise, medication, and other factors that can improve and manage blood glucose levels,” explains says Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, who is based in Los Angeles. Your doctor can refer you to one, or may actually be one. An endocrinologist is another type of specialist that you may be referred to by your primary care doctor. During your initial doctor’s visit, a medical history will be taken that includes the extent and duration of your symptoms, as well as information about anyone else in your family who has had diabetes and what type. Next, lab tests will likely be ordered to measure your blood glucose, notes the ADA. At the very least, Zanini advises, “Ask your doctor what your hemoglobin A1C level is. This will tell you the average your blood glucose levels have been for the last two to three months.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, you could be diagnosed with diabetes if your blood glucose after fasting tests at 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher; if two hours after eating a meal it is 200 mg/dL or higher; or if your A1C tests at 6.5 percent or higher. Or you may have prediabetes, a risk factor for getting diabetes, if your fasting blood glucose is 100–125 mg/dL, your glucose after a meal is 140–199 mg/dL, or your A1C is in the range of 5.7–6.4 percent. RELATED: 5 Ways to Help Lower Your A1C But making that diagnosis — and determining what comes next — depends on your unique situation and the judgment of your healthcare provider. Then it’s up to you. If you are diagnosed with diabetes and are able to get it under control, you could be saving yourself from a host of long-term health complications, such as nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, vision problems, kidney disease, and even amputations, notes the NIDDK. Educating yourself is a first, important step.
Diabetes Glossary
A1C See glycated hemoglobin test (HbA1c). Acanthosis Nigricans A dermatological condition that can be a sign of insulin resistance. The skin many darken on the face, back of the neck or hands, armpits, groin, or other areas where the skin creases, and take on a velvety or raised texture. It may also have skin tags, and may itch. It is more common among people of Native American, African, Caribbean, or Hispanic descent, as well as among people who are overweight. Acesulfame-K Also known as Ace-K, this is a calorie-free sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and is found in diet beverages, among other foods. Acetone A type of ketone that can build up in the blood if glucose is poorly managed, leading to the fruit-smelling breath that is common with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Adrenal Glands These endocrine glands are located above the kidneys, and the hormones they secrete include cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which help regulate blood glucose. Adult-Onset Diabetes Another name for type 2 diabetes, because it is more likely to develop in adults. Yet increasingly, children and teens are developing the disorder as childhood obesity rates rise. Advantame An artificial sweetener that is calorie-free and about 20,000 times sweeter than table sugar. Albuminuria A condition in which there is a higher-than-normal amount of the protein albumin in the urine. It’s a sign of kidney disease, for which people with diabetes are at higher risk. Allodynia Neuropathic pain that is brought on by stimuli that would not ordinarily cause pain, such as cold or gentle pressure. Alpha Cells Islet cells in the pancreas that produce glucagon. Antibodies Proteins found in the blood and bodily fluids that are meant to protect the body from potentially harmful foreign substances, such as bacteria or viruses (known as antigens). In the case of type 1 diabetes, the body makes antibodies that destroy a person’s own insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Antigens Foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria, that are capable of stimulating an immune response in the body. In Type 1 diabetes, the body treats insulin-making beta cells as if they are antigens and makes autoantibodies to destroy them. Artificial Pancreas Also known as a closed-loop system, this device tries to mimic pancreatic insulin production. Namely, it employs insulin pumps, glucose sensors, and smart software to automate the delivery of the right amount of insulin at the right time for a person who is insulin-dependent. Aspartame Sold under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet, it is a very-low-calorie artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. RELATED: Can Artificial Sweeteners Affect Your Diabetes Risk? Asymptomatic Without symptoms. A person with diabetes or prediabetes may not have any symptoms at all. Autoantibody Test A test for the presence of antibodies in the immune system that mistakenly target and react with a person’s own tissues or organs, known as autoantibodies. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-making beta islet cells. Testing for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or other antibodies, including islet autoantibodies, can help diagnose type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune Disease A disease in which your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. In type 1 diabetes, the body treats insulin-making beta cells as if they are foreign bodies (antigens) and makes autoantibodies (proteins that are meant to be protective) to, in fact, destroy them. Other examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. Autonomic Neuropathy Autonomic nerve damage that can affect bodily functions or blood pressure and even create gastrointestinal symptoms. With diabetes, high blood sugar can damage nerves over time, leading to conditions such as orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing up); or gastroparesis (delayed or incomplete food digestion, leading to nausea and vomiting). Bariatric Surgery Also known as weight loss surgery, this refers to several procedures that remove, bypass, or restrict part of the gastrointestinal tract and limit how much food a person can eat. Not only do patients lose weight, but research has shown promising results for putting patients with type 2 diabetes into remission. Bariatric procedures include biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric banding. Bariatric surgery is approved for clinically obese people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40, or people with a BMI greater than 35 who also have a serious health problem linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea. Beta Cells Islet cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, per Encyclopedia Britannica. Blood Glucose Monitoring or Testing Regular blood sugar monitoring is important for keeping type 1 or type 2 diabetes under control (though it should not be used to diagnose diabetes). Most people use a home blood glucose monitor (or glucometer) that allows them to draw a drop of their own blood, place it on a test strip, and place that into the meter to get a reading. Some people will wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Consult with your healthcare professional on how often you should test your blood sugar, and what your test result targets should be. Bolus Insulin Insulin that is taken at mealtime to keep your blood glucose controlled after a meal. The size of the meal you’ve just eaten determines the amount of bolus insulin you need. Some people on insulin therapy take fast-acting insulins, which generally work within 15 to 30 minutes and last for several hours. RELATED: Why Is Insulin So Expensive? (And What to Do if You Can’t Afford It) Calorie A unit that is used to measure energy. The calories displayed on food package labels are actually kilocalories, or 1,000 calories each. Monitoring calories can be important for weight control, which in turn can help with blood sugar control. Carbohydrate A macronutrient (which is a class of nutrients) found in food that includes sugars, starches, and fiber. The largest source of carbohydrates is glucose, which the body uses for energy. People with diabetes can include carbohydrates in a healthy diet, but they should work with their healthcare provider to determine their intake targets. Carb Counting A meal plan approach that can involve counting the number of carbohydrate grams (g) in a meal and then matching that to a dose of insulin. Carb counting can help you manage your blood sugar, along with the right balance of physical activity and insulin or diabetes medication. Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) A health professional who has expertise in diabetes prevention, prediabetes, and diabetes management and is certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. A CDE can help someone with diabetes better manage his or her blood sugar, develop a diabetes-friendly diet plan, begin an exercise regimen, and the like. Charcot A condition resulting from nerve damage in which the joints and soft tissue of the foot are destroyed over time. It is typically a result of diabetic neuropathy. People with Charcot end up with foot deformities and dislocated ankles. It is also known as Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy, Charcot foot, or Charcot arthropathy. Closed-Loop System See artificial pancreas. Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) A device that uses subcutaneous glucose sensors to automatically monitor blood glucose levels 24 hours a day. CGMs that may be worn on your arm or abdomen for 10 to 14 days include Freestyle Libre, Medtronic Guardian, and Dexcom G6. RELATED: How to Stabilize Your Blood Sugar C-Peptide Test A test of the C-peptide protein, which mirrors the level of insulin in the body. Low levels of the protein early in the disease can be a sign of type 1 diabetes or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). Diabetes A group of diseases that are characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in which the body cannot properly use glucose for energy; either because 1) the body makes no insulin or not enough to properly control the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood, such as is the case with type 1 diabetes, or 2) the body does not use insulin effectively to control your blood sugar, such as is the case with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. You can be diagnosed with diabetes if your blood glucose after fasting (and before a meal) is 126 mg/dL or higher; if two hours after eating a meal it is 200 mg/dL or higher; or if your glycated hemoglobin A1C (a measure of how much glucose attaches to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells) tests at 6.5 percent or higher. The most common form of diabetes is type 2, accounting for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes in the United States. Type 1 diabetes accounts for most of the rest. Diabetes Mellitus The more formal term for diabetes. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) A life-threatening condition that can happen when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to convert glucose into energy, and begins instead to break down fat for fuel, releasing substances known as ketones. The ketones build up in the bloodstream, causing it to become acidic and poisoning the body. It is most common in people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetic Neuropathy Nerve damage that results from poorly controlled blood sugar. It can lead to nerve pain, loss of sensation, foot problems, injuries, and even amputations. Nearly 60 percent of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Diabetic Retinopathy. See retinopathy. DPP-4 Inhibitors Drugs that improve the level of insulin made after a meal and help lower the amount of glucose that the body makes. Januvia (sitagliptin) and Tradjenta (linagliptin) are among the drugs in this class. Dietitian See registered dietitian. Endocrinologist A doctor who has special training to diagnose and treat people with endocrine gland disorders and diseases, such as diabetes. Erythritol A sugar alcohol sweetener that has less than 1 calorie per g, and has a very low impact on blood sugar levels. One of the side effects of eating too much erythritol is gastrointestinal distress. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) A test for diabetes that measures how much glucose is circulating in your blood and requires fasting from food and drink (except water) for eight hours beforehand. A result of 126 mg/dL or greater may indicate diabetes. Fast- or Rapid-Acting Insulin Bolus insulin that is taken before a meal and begins to work 15 minutes after injection, such as NovoLog (insulin aspart), Apidra (insulin glulisine), and Humalog (insulin lispro). Fructose A form of sugar found in fruits, honey, and root vegetables. While it does not induce a glycemic response, it is still on the list of added sugars that the U.S. government recommends limiting in your diet. Gastroparesis A condition in which autonomic nerve damage causes delayed or incomplete food digestion, leading to nausea and vomiting. It can be a complication of diabetes. Gestational Diabetes A condition in some pregnant women in which insulin resistance causes blood sugar to be too high (hyperglycemia), and can result in complications such as preeclampsia (high blood pressure), higher-than-normal birthweight in the baby, and delivery complications. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the child is born, but can put the mother at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists GLP-1 receptor drugs that are used to treat type 2 diabetes that mimic the effects of the incretin hormone GLP-1, which is released during a meal and lowers blood glucose. Victoza (liraglutide) and Bydureon (exenatide) are included in this class of drugs. RELATED: A Complete Diet Guide for People With Type 2 Diabetes Glucometer See home blood glucose monitor. Glucose A simple sugar that is the main source of energy for living cells. The largest source of glucose is carbohydrates. Glucose Meter or Monitor See home blood glucose monitor. Glycemic Index (GI) A measure of how food raises blood sugar (glucose) levels. Foods are ranked on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being pure sugar. Low-GI foods rank at 55 or less (such as brown rice, lentils, and most fruit); medium-GI foods rank 56 to 69 (banana and spaghetti); and high-GI foods (think rice cakes, popcorn, and watermelon) rank 70 and above. Glycemic Load A measure of how food raises blood sugar levels that compares the ability of the same amount of carbs in each food to raise your blood sugar higher. To figure out a food’s glycemic load, multiply its glycemic index (GI) by the number of carbohydrate grams in a serving, and then divide that by 100. Low-GL foods rank from 1 to 10; medium-GL foods rank from 11 to 19; and a high-GL foods rank 20 or higher. One cup of watermelon may have a high GI, of 76, but it has a low GL, of 8. Most registered dietitians recommend considering a food’s glycemic load, rather than where it falls on the glycemic index, to build a diabetes-friendly diet. Glycemic Response The change in blood glucose level that happens when you ingest food or drink. Glucose Tolerance Test See oral glucose tolerance test. Glycated Hemoglobin Test (HbA1c) A commonly used test to show how well you are managing your blood glucose. It measures how much glucose attaches to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells, on average, over the past three months. A result of 6.5 percent or higher is diabetes. High Blood Sugar See hyperglycemia. Home Blood Glucose Monitor A device you typically use at home that analyzes a drop of your blood that you draw by pricking your finger with a lancet. You then place the blood drop on a disposable test strip that is inserted into the device (also known as a meter or glucometer). Hormones Chemical signaling molecules that the endocrine glands produce and secrete directly into the bloodstream, where they travel through the blood to bind to specific receptors in tissues and organs. Hormones trigger various responses in the tissues containing the receptors. Hormones involved in the regulation of blood sugar (glucose) include (but are not limited to) insulin, glucagon, GLP-1, cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and growth hormone. RELATED: Can Being Stressed Cause Type 2 Diabetes? Humalog A brand name for fast-acting insulin lispro, which is used at mealtimes. Human Insulin Synthetic insulin that is designed to mimic the insulin the human body makes. Those that are currently on the market include rapid-acting regular insulins (Humulin R, Novolin R), which is taken with meals; and human NPH — the brand names are Humulin N (isophane) and Novolin N — which are intermediate-acting. Hyperalgesia Neuropathic pain that is more intense than would normally be expected in response to a painful stimulus, such as heat or a pinprick. Hyperglycemia High blood sugar (glucose), which occurs when the body has too little insulin or can’t use insulin properly. Hyperglycemia is a characteristic of diabetes. Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS) A life-threatening condition that can occur when your blood glucose becomes extremely high, particularly over 600 mg/dL. The body will try to get rid of the extra blood glucose in the urine, leading to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Brain swelling, abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, coma, organ failure, or even death can result. Hypoglycemia Low blood sugar. For many people with diabetes, it means having a blood glucose level of 70 mg/dL or less. Symptoms include dizziness, shakiness, blurred vision, disorientation, a fast or irregular heartbeat, irritability, fatigue, weakness, or extreme hunger. Very low blood sugar may result in seizures and unconsciousness. The condition is also known as an insulin reaction or insulin shock. Hypoglycemia Unawareness Some people with hypoglycemia don’t feel or recognize the symptoms, and may need to check their blood sugar more often or wear a continuous glucose monitor. RELATED: 5 Things to Know About Hypoglycemia Unawareness Insulin A hormone that enables the glucose in your blood to enter your muscles, fat, and liver to be used as energy. It is produced by beta islet cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes produce too little insulin or none at all, and must inject insulin daily to control their blood sugar levels and survive. People with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes have insulin resistance, meaning the hormone does not work well enough in their bodies, again resulting in blood sugar that is too high. However, someone with advanced type 2 diabetes may require insulin due to beta cell function loss over time. Insulin-Dependent Diabetes See type 1 diabetes. Insulin Pump A computerized pump delivering insulin 24 hours a day through a catheter placed under the skin, mimicking the body’s own way of releasing insulin. A pump may be clipped to a belt or kept in a pocket, and programmed by the user. Insulin Reaction See hypoglycemia. Insulin Receptors Areas on the outer part of a cell that allow the cell to bind with insulin. When they bind, the cell can then take glucose from the blood and use it for energy. Insulin Resistance A condition that occurs when the body does not use insulin effectively. The pancreas initially produces more insulin to overcome this resistance, but when the organ cannot keep up with the demand, the blood sugar rises too high (hyperglycemia). Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes all result from insulin resistance. RELATED: The Relationship Between Diabetes and Insulin Insulin Shock See hypoglycemia. Intermediate-Acting Insulin Basal insulins that keep your blood glucose stable during fasting, which are slowly released into the bloodstream so they can last 12 to 18 hours. NPH insulins, such as Humulin N (isophane) and Novolin N, are examples. Intermediate Hyperglycemia An alternate term for prediabetes. Intermittent Fasting (IF) A popular diet plan, often used for weight loss, that involves limiting the hours or days in which you eat. Types of IF include 5:2, which means restricting your diet on two days and eat normally for five days, and time-restricted eat, which usually calls for eating during only eight hours of the day, and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. This is sometimes referred to as the 16:8 fasting diet. Islet Cells Hormone-producing cells within the islets of Langerhans tissues of the pancreas. The most common type of islet cells are beta cells, which produce insulin. Other islet cell types include alpha cells, which produce glucagon. Islets of Langerhans A patch of endocrine tissue within the pancreas that contains hormone-producing cells called islet cells. Islet Cell Transplantation An experimental procedure for treating type 1 diabetes in which islet cells are transplanted into a recipient in the hopes that they will begin secreting the hormones that allow the independent regulation of blood sugar. Jet Injector A type of syringe that uses a high-pressure narrow jet of insulin instead of a hypodermic needle to penetrate the skin and inject insulin into the body. Juvenile Diabetes Another name for type 1 diabetes, because the autoimmune disorder often develops in childhood or early adulthood. RELATED: How Type 1 Diabetes Can Affect Your Relationship Ketoacidosis See diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Ketones Also known as ketone bodies, these substances are produced when there is a shortage of insulin in the blood and the body breaks down body fat for energy instead. A buildup of ketones in the blood can cause it to become acidic and lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The condition is most common in people with type 1 diabetes. Ketone Bodies See ketones. Ketogenic Diet See keto diet. Ketosis A natural metabolic state that happens when the body begins releasing ketones, and burning fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel. Lancet A spring-loaded device that is used to prick the skin with a small needle to obtain a drop of blood that is then placed on a disposable test strip for glucose monitoring. Laser Treatment An eye surgery procedure for preserving vision and reducing the risk of vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy. RELATED: What Are the Possible Complications of Type 2 Diabetes? Late-Onset Diabetes See latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) Also known as type 1.5 diabetes or late-onset diabetes, LADA involves the kind of progressive pancreatic beta cell failure that is seen in type 1 diabetes, but generally happens more slowly and occurs later in life. Low Blood Sugar, Low Blood Glucose See hypoglycemia. Mannitol A low-calorie sugar alcohol sweetener. Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) A form of diabetes than can be traced to a specific gene mutation. It usually appears in teens and young adults. Some forms of MODY result in slightly elevated levels of blood sugar that remain stable throughout life, with mild symptoms or none at all, and no complications. Other forms may require treatment with insulin or sulfonylureas, which are oral medicines that increase the release of insulin from beta cells. Meglitinides Drugs that stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin when taken with meals and are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Brands include Prandin (repaglinide). Metabolic Syndrome A cluster of conditions that tend to occur together, increasing your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Among the conditions are increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Metformin An oral medicine that is generally the first-line medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, and is sometimes used for people with gestational diabetes and prediabetes as well. Metformin lowers blood sugar by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and helping the body use the insulin more effectively. It belongs to the biguanide class of drugs and brand names include Glucophage XR, Fortamet, and Glumetza. Mixed Dose Premixed doses of insulin in which intermediate-acting NPH insulin may be mixed with both rapid-acting insulin analogs and fast-acting human regular insulin. It is an option for people who need a simplified insulin treatment plan, often because they are new to insulin therapy, older, or have limited vision or dexterity to handle multiple injections. Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) A form of diabetes than can be traced to a specific gene mutation. Infants with NDM do not produce enough insulin. Their condition is often mistaken for type 1 diabetes. Babies with NDM tend to be born undersized and grow less rapidly than those without the disorder. About one-half of infants with NDM will have it for life; in the other half, it will disappear but may reappear later in life. Neuropathy See diabetic neuropathy. Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes The former term for type 2 diabetes. Nutritionist The name of a person who dispenses nutrition advice. Someone who is called a nutritionist is not necessarily a registered dietitian (RD) or a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN). RDs and RDNs must obtain certification according to requirements from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Obesity Carrying excess weight, especially a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher for people in most ethnic groups in the United States. Excess weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Oral Diabetes Medication Medicine that is taken by mouth to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels in people whose bodies still produce some insulin, such as many people with type 2 diabetes. Popular oral drugs include (but are not limited to) Metformin (biguanide), sulfonylureas, GLP-1 receptor agonist, and SGLT2 inhibitors. RELATED: 7 Common Meds That May Make It Harder to Control Your Blood Sugar Oral Glucose Tolerance Test A test that measures how you respond to glucose after a meal that is used to diagnose diabetes. Typically you will fast for eight hours and then have your blood drawn after drinking a glucose-containing liquid. Two hours later, your blood will be tested. A result of 200 mg/dL or greater may indicate diabetes. Orthostatic Hypotension A condition in which autonomic nerve damage causes blood pressure to drop upon standing up. It can be a complication of diabetes. Overweight Carrying excess weight, especially a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher for people in most ethnic groups in the United States; 23 and higher for Asian Americans; and 26 or higher for Pacific Islanders. Excess weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Paleo Diet Also called a “caveman diet,” and short for Paleolithic diet, this is an eating approach that calls for avoiding foods that cavemen presumably did not eat. Those foods include grains, legumes, dairy, soda, candy, and processed or cured meats. Pancreas An organ that secretes digestive enzymes, as well as the hormones insulin and glucagon, which are used for the regulation of blood sugar (glucose). Paresthesia Neuropathic pain that feels like tingling, “pins and needles,” burning, itching, or numbness. Peripheral Neuropathy Damage to the body’s peripheral nerves, which transmit messages between the central nervous system and the rest of your body. The most common type of peripheral neuropathy is diabetic neuropathy. Nearly 60 percent of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Polyphagia Intense appetite brought on by diabetes. Because you can’t get enough energy from the glucose you are ingesting — either because you don’t have enough insulin or have insulin resistance — you may lose weight even as your appetite increases and your body turns to breaking down muscle and fat for energy. RELATED: 4 Great Exercise for People Managing Diabetic Neuropathy Polyuria Excessive urination. It happens when glucose builds up in the blood, and your kidneys begin working harder to remove the extra blood glucose. If your kidneys can’t keep up, the excess sugar is flushed out of your body through urine. Postprandial Blood Glucose A measure of blood glucose that is taken 1 to 2 hours after eating a meal. A common target postprandial reading for a person with type 2 diabetes is lower than 180 mg/dL. Prediabetes A risk factor for type 2 diabetes that occurs when the body has stopped responding well to insulin — a condition known as insulin resistance — and your blood sugar is elevated, though not high enough to qualify as diabetes. You can be diagnosed with prediabetes if your fasting blood glucose is 100–125 mg/dL; your glucose after a meal is 140–199 mg/dL; or your A1C is in the range of 5.7–6.4 percent. Roughly 1 in 3 adults in the United States have prediabetes, and many don’t know it. Losing just 5 to 7 percent of your body weight can delay or prevent diabetes if you have prediabetes. Random Plasma Glucose Test (RPG) A test for diabetes that measures how much glucose is circulating in your blood and does not require fasting beforehand. A result of 200 mg/dL or greater may suggest diabetes. Rapid-Acting Insulin See fast-acting insulin. Registered Dietitian (RD) A health professional with special training in the use of diet and nutrition to keep the body healthy and who is credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. A registered dietitian can guide you in putting together a diet and meal plan to help manage blood sugar or weight. Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) See RD. Regular- or Short-Acting Insulin Bolus human insulin that is taken before a meal begins to work 30 minutes after injection, such as human regular insulin (Humulin R and Novolin R). Retinopathy Eye disease that is caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, which can be a complication of diabetes. As the blood vessels bleed or leak fluid, vision loss may result. RELATED: What Are the Possible Complications of Type 2 Diabetes, and How Can You Avoid Them? Risk Factor Something that increases your chance of developing a health condition or disease. In the case of type 2 diabetes, risk factors include having a family history of the disease, having prediabetes, being older than 45, being overweight, or belonging to a higher-risk population group, such as African American, Hispanic or Latin American, Native American, or Asian American and Pacific-Islander descent. Saccharin Sold under the brand name Sweet ‘N Low, this artificial sweetener is calorie-free and is about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar. SGLT2 Inhibitors Drugs which prompt the kidneys to excrete more glucose through urine and are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Invokana (canagliflozin) is among the drugs in this class. Sorbitol A low-calorie sugar alcohol sweetener. Sucrose A simple carbohydrate known as table sugar. It is made of equal parts glucose and fructose. People who have diabetes should manage their intake of added sugar. Sucralose Marketed under the brand name Splenda, the artificial sweetener is 600 times sweeter than sugar and has little to no impact on blood sugar levels. Sugar Sugar is the simplest type of carbohydrate. It is sweet in taste, and easily digested and absorbed by the body. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose (table sugar) are three common types of sugar. A person with diabetes must manage their ingestion of sugar and other carbohydrates so that blood glucose levels remain stable and don’t rise too high or too low. Sugar Alcohol A type of low-calorie sweetener made from a plant-derived carbohydrate with a chemical structure that partially resembles sugar and partially resembles alcohol. Commonly used sugar alcohol sweeteners include erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, and isomalt, and you can find them in many so-called “sugar-free” items, such as candy, chewing gum, desserts, and beverages. Because they are incompletely absorbed and metabolized by the body, they have fewer calories than sugar, but sometimes carry side effects, such as bloating and gas. Sugar Diabetes A colloquial term for diabetes. RELATED: 5 Sugar Substitutes for Type 2 Diabetes Sulfonylureas Drugs that stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin when taken with meals and are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Brands include Glucotrol (glipizide) and Amaryl (glimepiride). Thiazolidinediones Drugs that make the body more sensitive to the effects of insulin and are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Actos (pioglitazone) is the only approved drug in this class of medication. Type 1 Diabetes An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Without that hormone, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) develops. People who have type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections to replace the insulin their body doesn’t make, and monitor their blood glucose levels daily. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually appears in childhood or early adulthood. It has also been known as juvenile diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes The most common form of diabetes, affecting 90 to 95 percent of all cases in the United States. It is caused by insulin resistance, when the body does not use the insulin it produces effectively enough to keep blood glucose from becoming too high (hyperglycemia). Type 2 diabetes typically develops in middle age, but increasingly, younger people are being diagnosed with this type of diabetes. Type 3 Diabetes The term type 3 diabetes has been used in health media and medical literature to refer to Alzheimer’s disease because the neurodegenerative disease is linked to insulin resistance in the brain. However, type 3 diabetes is not a term of medical diagnosis. Type 1.5 Diabetes See latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). RELATED: Why Some Researchers Are Calling Alzheimer’s Disease a ‘Type 3 Diabetes’ U-100 The most common measure of insulin strength. U-100 insulin means 100 units of insulin per milliliter (mL) or cubic centimeter (cc) of solution in a single vial. Unit of Insulin A measure of insulin. The most common strength is 100 units of insulin per milliliter (mL) or cubic centimeter (cc) of solution in a vial, known as U-100. Some insulin is also available in U-200, U-300, or U-500 strength. Yeast Infection A genital fungal infection involving the yeast Candida albicans, which hyperglycemic people are at higher risk of getting frequently because the extra glucose in bodily fluids provides more fuel for the yeast. In females the symptoms can include: vaginal itching, pain or discomfort during urination, redness or soreness; pain during sexual intercourse; and thick, abnormal vaginal discharge. Xylitol A low-calorie sugar alcohol sweetener.
