Glossary of Terms - Diabetes

 

A

Adult Stem Cells- Stem cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ.

Albumin- A protein found in blood plasma and urine, which can be a sign of kidney disease.

Allogenic- Genetically different.

Alpha Cells- Cells in the islets of Langerhans that produce glucagon.

Arteriosclerosis- hardening of the arteries.

Autoimmune process- A process in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys body tissue that it mistakes for foreign matter.

Autoimmune response- An immune response by the body against its own tissue or cells.

Autologous- Genetically identical.

B

Beta cells- insulin producing cells found in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas.

Bladder- A hollow organ that urine drains into from the kidneys.

Blood glucose- The main sugar that the body makes from food; cells cannot use glucose without the help of insulin.

Blood pressure- Force of the blood against the artery walls.

C

Calluses- Thick, hardened areas of the skin, usually on the foot, caused by friction or pressure.

Carbohydrates- A type of food, usually derived from plants; one of three nutrients that supply calories to the body; includes simple carbohydrates (Sugar, fruit) and complex carbohydrates (vegetables, starches).

Cholesterol- A substance similar to fat that is found in the blood, muscles, liver, brain and other body tissue.

Collagenase- An enzyme used to purify islet cells.

Corn- A thickening of the skin of the feet or hands, usually caused by pressure against the skin.

Critical mass- The necessary or sufficient number of islets required to reverse diabetes.

D

Daclizumab- An immunosuppressive medication used for the Edmonton Protocol as a less toxic substitute for glucocorticoids.

Delta Cells- Cells in the islet of Langerhans that produce somatostatin and serve as support structures for alpha and beta cells.

Diabetes mellitus- Disorder that prevents the body from converting digested food into the energy needed for daily activities.

Diabetogenic- Capable of causing diabetes.

E

Erectile dysfunction- The inability to achieve an erection, and/or dissatisfaction with size, rigidity, and/or duration of erections.

F

Fat- one of the three nutrients that supply calories to the body.

Food exchanges- A way to help people stay on special food plans by letting them replace items from one food group with items from another group.

G

Gestational diabetes- Form of diabetes which begins during pregnancy in women who have not been known to have diabetes before, and usually disappears following delivery.

Glucagon- A hormone that raises the blood glucose level.

Glucocorticoids- Steroid-like compounds that are used as immunosuppressants.

Glucose- A sugar in our blood and a source of energy for our bodies.

Glucose tolerance test- Blood test used to make the diagnosis of diabetes, including gestational diabetes.

H

Hemoglobin- Substance in the red blood cells that supplies oxygen to the cells of the body.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c test)- A test that shows the average amount of sugar in the blood over the last three months. The result will indicate if the blood sugar level is under control.

High blood glucose- A condition that occurs in people with diabetes when their blood glucose levels are too high.

High blood pressure- A condition in which the blood circulates through the arteries with too much force.

Hormone- A chemical that special cells in the body release to help other cells work. For example, insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas to help the body use glucose as energy.

Hyperglycemia- A condition that occurs in people with diabetes when their blood glucose levels are too high.

Hypertension- A condition in which the blood circulates through the arteries with too much force.

Hypoglycemia- Condition in which the blood sugar is lower than normal.

I

Immunoisolation- A technique that physically separates implanted donor cells from the recipient's immune system.

Immunosuppressants- Drugs given to transplant recipients that weaken the body's immune system in order to prevent donor cell rejection.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)- A condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes; a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Impotence- The inability to achieve an erection, and/or dissatisfaction with the size, rigidity, and/or duration of erections.

Inject- To force liquid into the body with a needle and syringe.

Insulin- Hormone manufactured by the pancreas, which helps glucose leave the blood and enter the muscles and other tissues of the body.

Insulin-dependent diabetes- A condition in which the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide energy. Persons with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections.

Insulin-resistance- Partial blocking of the effects of insulin.

J

K

Ketoacidosis- High blood glucose; often caused by illness or taking too little insulin.

Ketone- Break down product of fat that accumulates in the blood as a result of inadequate insulin or inadequate calorie intake.

L

Low blood glucose- A condition that occurs in people with diabetes when their blood glucose levels are too high.

M

Macrosomia- Term meaning "large body"; refers to a baby that is considered larger than normal; a condition that occurs when mother's blood sugar levels have been higher than normal during the pregnancy; a preventable complication of gestational diabetes.

Meal plan- A guide to help people get the proper amount of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber in their diet.

N

Nephropathy- Diabetic kidney disease.

Neuropathy- Diabetic nerve damage.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes- A condition in which the body either makes too little insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it makes to convert blood glucose to energy. Type 2 diabetes may be controlled with diet, exercise, and weight loss, or may require oral medications and/or insulin injections.

Nutrients- Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals provided by food by food and necessary for growth and the maintenance of life.

O

P

Pancreas- Long gland that lies behind the stomach; manufactures insulin and digestive enzymes.

Pancreatic Tissue Fibrosis- Scarring of the pancreas tissue.

Pancreatitis- The inflammation of the pancreas.

Placenta- Special tissue that joins the mother and fetus to provide hormones necessary for a successful pregnancy, and supplies the fetus with water and nutrients (food) from the mother's blood.

Plaque- Film of mucus that traps bacteria on the surface of the teeth.

Plasticity- The ability of the adult stem cells to differentiate into cells not found in their native tissue or organ.

Portal Vein- The vein that transfers blood from the intestinal system to the liver.

Protein- Substance found in many parts of the body that helps the body to resist disease.

Q

R

Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)- Recommendations for daily intake of specific nutrients for groups of healthy individuals set by Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science.

Retinopathy- Diabetic eye disease.

Risk factors- Traits that make it more likely that a person will develop an illness.

S

Self-monitoring blood glucose- Method for people with diabetes to determine how much glucose is in their blood.

Stroke- The sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain.

T

Trimester- Period of three months.

Type 1 Diabetes- A condition in which the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide energy. Type 1 diabetics must take daily injections of insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes- A condition in which the body either makes too little insulin or cannot properly use the insulin the insulin it makes to convert blood glucose to energy. Type 2 diabetes may be controlled with diet, exercise, weight loss, or may require oral medications and/or insulin injections.

U

Ulcer- A break or deep sore in the skin.

V

Vaccination- A shot given to protect against a disease.

Vascular Thrombosis- Clotting in a blood vessel.

Vitrectomy- An operation to remove the blood that sometimes collects at the back of the eyes when a person has eye disease.

W

X

Y

Z