Terms commonly used in connection with diabetes

Terms commonly used in connection with diabetes

About 442 million people are suffering from Diabetes worldwide.

When these patients go to doctors, they listen some strange terms related to their disease.

Blood Glucose

Glucose is a sugar. Human body obtains it from foods we eat.

 Cells of human body use this sugar for energy.

Blood Glucose Level

Blood glucose level means how much glucose is present in 100 ml of blood.

Fasting Blood Sugar Level

Level of glucose on empty stomach, after a fasting of at least 12 hours

Random Blood Sugar Level

Level of glucose in blood 2 hours after a meal.

Glucose Meter

A device used to measures blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia

When blood sugar level is high; usually above 160 mg/dl, doctors call it hyperglycemia.

And when the blood sugar level is low; usually below 70 mg/dl, it is hypoglycemia.

Somogyi Effect

Somogyi effect or rebound effect is when blood sugar suddenly goes very high from a very low reading.

Pancreas

A leaf shaped gland in abdomen behind and below the stomach. Insulin is produced in beta cells of Pancreas.

Insulin

Insulin is the hormone which is necessary for entrance of glucose into cells so they can use glucose for energy. It is secreted from beta cells of Pancreas. If pancreas do not make it or there is defect in utilization of insulin; blood sugar level will go up. Man-made insulin is now available.

Injection

Using a syringe and needle insulin in injected into body.

Insulin pens looks like pens we write with. Cartridges are filled, dose is mentioned and shot is given.

Jet injectors are now also available. High pressure is used instead of needle to give a shot.

Insulin Pump

Patient keeps this device with him. A needle is placed under the skin which is connected through a thin tube to insulin pump. Insulin pump gives a trickle all day long so the blood glucose level may be kept steady.

Bolus Insulin

A shot of insulin is called a Bolus. It is taken by diabetic to bring blood sugar level down.

Glucagon

It is another hormone produced by pancreas. It has exactly opposite action to that of insulin.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is present in sufficient quantity yet cells of the body cannot use it. This is called insulin resistance.

Prediabetes

Blood glucose levels are high but not high enough to be declared as diabetic. But there is strong chances of developing diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus

Complete name of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes which comes with pregnancy and usually goes away after birth of child.

Brittle Diabetes

Difficult to control diabetes. Blood sugar levels swings frequently between high and low.

Diabetes insipidus

All symptoms of diabetes may be present like increased thirst, increased urination and weakness. Yet blood sugar levels are normal. Defect usually lies in kidneys or pituitary gland in brain.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

This is an emergency situation. Blood sugar levels are very high. No or little insulin. Body uses fats for energy which result in ketone formation. High levels of ketones may lead to coma and death.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

This is a test to diagnose diabetes. After overnight fasting, doctors will take blood sample. Then sugary drink will be given to drink. Many blood samples will be taken in next 2 to 3 hours to diagnose diabetes.

A1c

Also written as hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, or glycohemoglobin test—tells about average amount of sugar in blood over the period of last 2 to 3 months.

Pre-prandial and Postprandial

Simply means before eating and after eating.

Glycemic Index

A ranking system which describes which how quickly a food raises the blood glucose level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About 442 million people are suffering from Diabetes worldwide.

When these patients go to doctors, they listen some strange terms related to their disease.

Blood Glucose

Glucose is a sugar. Human body obtains it from foods we eat. Cells of human body use this sugar for energy.

Blood Glucose Level

Blood glucose level means how much glucose is present in 100 ml of blood.

Fasting Blood Sugar Level

Level of glucose on empty stomach, after a fasting of at least 12 hours

Random Blood Sugar Level

Level of glucose in blood 2 hours after a meal.

Glucose Meter

A device used to measures blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia

When blood sugar level is high; usually above 160 mg/dl, doctors call it hyperglycemia.

And when the blood sugar level is low; usually below 70 mg/dl, it is hypoglycemia.

Somogyi Effect

Somogyi effect or rebound effect is when blood sugar suddenly goes very high from a very low reading.

Pancreas

A leaf shaped gland in abdomen behind and below the stomach. Insulin is produced in beta cells of Pancreas.

Insulin

Insulin is the hormone which is necessary for entrance of glucose into cells so they can use glucose for energy. It is secreted from beta cells of Pancreas. If pancreas do not make it or there is defect in utilization of insulin; blood sugar level will go up. Man-made insulin is now available.

Injection

Using a syringe and needle insulin in injected into body.

Insulin pens looks like pens we write with. Cartridges are filled, dose is mentioned and shot is given.

Jet injectors are now also available. High pressure is used instead of needle to give a shot.

Insulin Pump

Patient keeps this device with him. A needle is placed under the skin which is connected through a thin tube to insulin pump. Insulin pump gives a trickle all day long so the blood glucose level may be kept steady.

Bolus Insulin

A shot of insulin is called a Bolus. It is taken by diabetic to bring blood sugar level down.

Glucagon

It is another hormone produced by pancreas. It has exactly opposite action to that of insulin.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is present in sufficient quantity yet cells of the body cannot use it. This is called insulin resistance.

Prediabetes

Blood glucose levels are high but not high enough to be declared as diabetic. But there is strong chances of developing diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus

Complete name of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes which comes with pregnancy and usually goes away after birth of child.

Brittle Diabetes

Difficult to control diabetes. Blood sugar levels swings frequently between high and low.

Diabetes insipidus

All symptoms of diabetes may be present like increased thirst, increased urination and weakness. Yet blood sugar levels are normal. Defect usually lies in kidneys or pituitary gland in brain.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

This is an emergency situation. Blood sugar levels are very high. No or little insulin. Body uses fats for energy which result in ketone formation. High levels of ketones may lead to coma and death.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

This is a test to diagnose diabetes. After overnight fasting, doctors will take blood sample. Then sugary drink will be given to drink. Many blood samples will be taken in next 2 to 3 hours to diagnose diabetes.

A1c

Also written as hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, or glycohemoglobin test—tells about average amount of sugar in blood over the period of last 2 to 3 months.

Pre-prandial and Postprandial

Simply means before eating and after eating.

Glycemic Index

A ranking system which describes which how quickly a food raises the blood glucose level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 About 442 million people are suffering from Diabetes worldwide.

When these patients go to doctors, they listen some strange terms related to their disease.

Blood Glucose

Glucose is a sugar. Human body obtains it from foods we eat. Cells of human body use this sugar for energy.

Blood Glucose Level

Blood glucose level means how much glucose is present in 100 ml of blood.

Fasting Blood Sugar Level

Level of glucose on empty stomach, after a fasting of at least 12 hours

Random Blood Sugar Level

Level of glucose in blood 2 hours after a meal.

Glucose Meter

A device used to measures blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia

When blood sugar level is high; usually above 160 mg/dl, doctors call it hyperglycemia.

And when the blood sugar level is low; usually below 70 mg/dl, it is hypoglycemia.

Somogyi Effect

Somogyi effect or rebound effect is when blood sugar suddenly goes very high from a very low reading.

Pancreas

A leaf shaped gland in abdomen behind and below the stomach. Insulin is produced in beta cells of Pancreas.

Insulin

Insulin is the hormone which is necessary for entrance of glucose into cells so they can use glucose for energy. It is secreted from beta cells of Pancreas. If pancreas do not make it or there is defect in utilization of insulin; blood sugar level will go up. Man-made insulin is now available.

Injection

Using a syringe and needle insulin in injected into body.

Insulin pens looks like pens we write with. Cartridges are filled, dose is mentioned and shot is given.

Jet injectors are now also available. High pressure is used instead of needle to give a shot.

Insulin Pump

Patient keeps this device with him. A needle is placed under the skin which is connected through a thin tube to insulin pump. Insulin pump gives a trickle all day long so the blood glucose level may be kept steady.

Bolus Insulin

A shot of insulin is called a Bolus. It is taken by diabetic to bring blood sugar level down.

Glucagon

It is another hormone produced by pancreas. It has exactly opposite action to that of insulin.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is present in sufficient quantity yet cells of the body cannot use it. This is called insulin resistance.

Prediabetes

Blood glucose levels are high but not high enough to be declared as diabetic. But there is strong chances of developing diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus

Complete name of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes which comes with pregnancy and usually goes away after birth of child.

Brittle Diabetes

Difficult to control diabetes. Blood sugar levels swings frequently between high and low.

Diabetes insipidus

All symptoms of diabetes may be present like increased thirst, increased urination and weakness. Yet blood sugar levels are normal. Defect usually lies in kidneys or pituitary gland in brain.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

This is an emergency situation. Blood sugar levels are very high. No or little insulin. Body uses fats for energy which result in ketone formation. High levels of ketones may lead to coma and death.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

This is a test to diagnose diabetes. After overnight fasting, doctors will take blood sample. Then sugary drink will be given to drink. Many blood samples will be taken in next 2 to 3 hours to diagnose diabetes.

A1c

Also written as hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, or glycohemoglobin test—tells about average amount of sugar in blood over the period of last 2 to 3 months.

Pre-prandial and Postprandial

Simply means before eating and after eating.

Glycemic Index

A ranking system which describes which how quickly a food raises the blood glucose level.