Glossary
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ADULT-ONSET DIABETES is the former term for non-insulin dependent, or type 2 diabetes. This term is no longer in use because, although this condition usually occurs after 45 years of age, it may develop much earlier.
ALPHA CELLS are found in the Islets of Langerhans within your pancreas. They are responsible for producing glucagon, a hormone which causes an increase in the blood sugar level.
AMENORRHEA when a woman has had no periods in her lifetime.
AMPUTATION is the surgical removal of a limb or part of a limb. People with diabetes may be at increased risk for gangrene due to nerve damage in the legs and feet, which may require amputation.
ANABOLIC HORMONE any steroid, including synthetic preparations, which enhances constructive metabolism. They are notorious for their abuse by athletes to increase the size of their muscles.
ANDROSTENEDIONE a male sex hormone weaker in activity than testosterone, produced by the ovary, testis and adrenal glands. The body can convert it to both male and female sex-steroids.
ANTIBODIES are proteins that the body produces to fight off foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses and transplanted organs.
ANTIOXIDANTS are chemicals that are added to foods containing fat to prevent oxygen from combining with the fatty molecules. Oxidation would cause the fatty food to become rancid.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This condition often occurs with aging, in hypertension and diabetes.
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE is a disorder in which a person's own antibodies destroy body tissues, such as the beta cells in the pancreas.
BEEF-PORK INSULIN was a form of insulin derived from the pancreas of cows and pigs that is no longer available in Canada.
BETA CELLS are found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Their function is to produce insulin.
BLOOD GLUCOSE METERS are hand-held machines designed to test blood glucose levels. A drop of blood from your finger is placed on a small strip of material, which is then inserted into the meter for analysis and the result is displayed. Blood glucose meters allow the person with diabetes to play an active role in monitoring their own blood glucose levels.
BLOOD PRESSURE refers to the pressure exerted by blood flow on artery walls. A 120/80 reading is considered normal. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause health problems such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.
BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) is a unit of measurement to describe weight in relation to height for people 20 to 65 years of age. It indicates whether a person's size is in the low, moderate or high zone for developing health problems. Values between 20 and 25 are associated with the lowest risk of illness. Values between 25 and 27 are considered to be in a "caution zone" and may be associated with health problems. Values below 20 or over 27 indicate that a person is at higher risk of illness.
BUNION is a bulge on the first joint of the big toe caused by swelling under the skin as a result of chronic irritation and pressure from poorly fitting shoes.
CALLUS is a common, usually painless, thickening of the skin on the feet or hands, at points of external pressure or friction.
CALORIE is a measurement of the energy provided by food. The sources of calories in a diet are carbohydrate, protein, alcohol and fat.
CAPILLARY is the smallest blood vessel. Capillary walls are so thin that oxygen and glucose can pass through them and enter the cells. Waste products, such as carbon dioxide, pass back into the bloodstream via the capillaries to be carried away and expelled from the body.
CARBOHYDRATE one of the major sources of calories in the diet. It comes primarily from sugar (found in refined fruits and vegetables) and starch (found in grains and legumes). Carbohydrate breaks down into glucose during digestion and raises blood glucose levels.
CATARACTS are a grey-white film that can cover the lens of the eye, obscuring vision. They tend to occur in people over 50 years of age, but can occur at a younger age and advance more rapidly in the presence of diabetes. If left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness.
CHOLESTEROL is a type of fat which occurs naturally in our bodies and is also found in animal fats. Too much saturated fat and dietary cholesterol may be associated with arteriosclerosis.
CHRONIC refers to a disease or disorder that is present over long periods of time often the remainder of a lifetime of an individual.
COMA is a state of unconsciousness. In diabetes, it may result from a variety of causes including severe hypoglycemia or severe ketoacidosis.
CORPUS LUTEUM a group of cells associated with bringing the egg to maturity. It secretes the hormone progesterone in anticipation of pregnancy.
C-PEPTIDE is formed in the beta cells of the pancreas therefore a test of C-peptide levels indicates the amount of beta cell function occurring in the pancreas.
CREATININE is a compound present in the muscles and blood that is passed in the urine. A "creatinine clearance test" is a diagnostic test for kidney function.
DEHYDRATION is a state in which there is excessive loss of water from body tissues. It can occur when the blood sugar levels are high for long periods of time. It can also result from inadequate water intake, or excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration can include extreme thirst, irritability, confusion and flushed, dry skin.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY is a disease in which the small blood vessels (capillaries) in the back of the eye (retina) may bleed or form new vessels. This condition usually occurs in people with long-standing diabetes. Regular eye examinations are an important part of diabetes management.
DIABETES is a condition in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. (see Gestational Diabetes, type 1 Diabetes, type 2 Diabetes)
DIABETES CONTROL AND COMPLICATIONS TRIAL (DDCT) was a nine year study designed to test whether persistently high blood sugar levels are related to the development of complications in people with type 1 diabetes. The results demonstrated that intensive treatment of individuals with type 1 diabetes can delay the onset and progression of long-term complications in people.
DIALYSIS is a method of removing waste products and excess water from the body when the kidneys no longer function adequately.
DIANETTE (also known as Diane) a pill used widely as a combination contraceptive and a means of controlling acne and hirsutism. One of its two components, cyproterone acetate, suppresses ovarian function (and in large doses, over a long period of time, also adrenal function). The second component, a synthetic oestrogen, puts back the oestrogen into the body.
DIETITIAN is an expert in nutrition who can assist people plan the kinds and amounts of foods that promote a healthy lifestyle.
DYSLIPIDAEMIA abnormal levels or composition of blood fats. Because these fats are water insoluble they are ferried around on proteins. These ferrying proteins specialise in the load they carry and differ in size depending on how much fat they are carrying. The ‘good cholesterol’ is carried on a very distinct protein from the one that carries the ‘bad cholesterol’ and those that carry triglycerides, a complex of fatty acid absorbed from food.
EDEMA is the swelling or puffiness caused by fluid collecting in the tissues.
ENDOCRINOLOGIST is a medical doctor who specializes in treating people who have problems related to their endocrine system, which includes diabetes.
EPIDEMIOLOGY is the study of the occurrence, distribution and causes of diseases in mankind.
FAMILIAL OCCURRENCE refers to the pattern of a disease within a family. Family and twin studies have shown that type 2 diabetes is far more likely to run in families than type 1 diabetes.
FAT is the most concentrated source of calories in a diet. Saturated fats are found primarily in animal products and unsaturated fats come from plants. Excess intake of fat, especially saturated fat, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
FATTY LIVER is the build up of excessive amounts of triglycerides and other fats inside liver cells; also known as Steatohepatitis or NASH.
FIBRE is a type of material within foods mainly found in vegetables, fruits and cereals that adds bulk to the diet aiding digestion.
FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It affects women’s ovaries, stimulating the production of an egg cell.
GANGRENE is the death of body tissues usually due to loss of blood supply to the affected area, followed by bacterial invasion.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES develops during pregnancy due to a deficiency of insulin during pregnancy that disappears following delivery. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
GLUCAGON is a hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates the liver to produce large amounts of glucose. It is given by injection for hypoglycemia and generally restores blood sugar within five to ten minutes.
GLUCOSE is a simple form of sugar that acts as fuel for the body. It is produced during digestion of carbohydrate and carried to the cells in the blood.
GLYCEMIC LOAD a measure of the glycemic impact of foods based on both the type and amount of carbohydrate. It is calculated by multiplying the GI of a food by the available carbohydrate content (carbohydrate minus fibre) in a serving (expressed in grams), divided by 100.
GLYCEMIC POTENTIAL the predicted blood glucose raising effect that a food contains.
GLYCOGEN is the main carbohydrate storage material, which is stored in the liver and muscles for use when energy is required.
GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN (HbA1c) is a measure of your average blood glucose level over the past several weeks.
HIRSUTISM excessive growth of hair of normal or abnormal distribution. Excessive body-hair growth may be interpreted differently depending on ethnicity, complexion and hair colour. For example, relatively heavy dark body-hair growth is the rule in dark women of Mediterranean origin but may be abnormal in a blonde Swede, particularly if thick and wiry. This type of hair growth on the face, around the nipples, between the breasts, lower back, up the naval line and inside the thighs is decidedly worthy of attention.
HONEYMOON PERIOD is the period of time after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when the dose of insulin may need to be reduced due to remaining or recovered insulin secretion from the pancreas. This period can last weeks, months or years.
HORMONES are the substances released into the bloodstream from a gland or organ. Hormones control growth and development, reproduction, sexual characteristics, blood sugar levels and influence the way the body uses and stores energy.
HUMAN INSULIN is a bio-synthetic product that has the advantage of eliminating the allergic reactions that occur with the use of animal insulins and more closely matching insulin produced by the pancreas.
HYPERGLYCEMIA (also HYPERGLYCAEMIA) is a condition caused by greater than normal levels of glucose in the blood.
HYPERLIPOPROTEINEMIA is the presence in the blood of greater than normal amounts of certain lipids and other fatty substances in the blood.
HYPERTENSION is the medical term for high blood pressure.
HYPOGLYCEMIA a condition that occurs when one’s blood glucose is lower than normal, usually less than 4 mmol/L. Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness and confusion. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness.
HYPOTHALAMUS a basal part of the central region of the brain that contains many regulatory centres including ones that send periodic signals to the pituitary gland, which in turn secretes specific hormones. Contrary to previous belief that the pituitary was ‘the master gland’, with better knowledge, much of that role appears to lie with the hypothalamus.
IMPOTENCE is a form of sexual dysfunction in which a man is unable to obtain an erection.
INSULIN is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood.
INSULIN LIPODYSTROPHY is the loss of fatty tissue that can occur as a result of repeated insulin injections in the same area.
INSULIN PUMP is a portable, battery-operated device that delivers a specific amount of insulin through the abdominal wall. It can be programmed to deliver different doses at different times of the day, according to the body's needs.
INSULIN RECEPTORS are areas on the outer walls of a cell that permit insulin to bind to the cell. When cells and insulin bind together, the cell is able to take glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy.
INSULIN RESISTANCE if you are insulin resistant, your muscle and liver cells are not good at taking up glucose unless there’s a lot of insulin about. Chances are you’ll have very high insulin levels even long after a meal, as your body tries hard to metabolise the carbohydrate in the meal.
INSULIN SHOCK is another term used for hypoglycemia or low blood sugar (see hypoglycemia)
ISCHEMIA is an inadequate supply of blood to body tissues or organs. It can occur if blood vessels are narrowed or constricted.
ISLETS OF LANGERHANS are clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, glucagons and pancreatic polypeptide.
JUVENILE-ONSET DIABETES is the former term for insulin-dependent, or type 1 diabetes.
KETONES are chemicals produced by the liver when the body cannot use glucose and must break down fat for energy. Ketones can poison and even kill body cells. When ketones build up, the body gets rid of them in the urine. Ketones that accumulate in the body over long periods of time can lead to serious illness and coma.
KETOACIDOSIS is a severe complication of diabetes that is the result of high blood sugar levels and ketones often associated with poor control of diabetes or as a complication due to other illnesses.
LASER TREATMENTS are a recognized treatment for retinopathy that involves a source of intense radiation that targets damaged areas of the retina.
LUTEINISING HORMONE (LH) a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in the initial production of egg cells by the ovary.
MENARCHE stage of sexual development in a girl marked by the first period.
mg/dL is the American abbreviated form of milligrams per decilitre, a term used to describe how much glucose is present in a specific amount of blood. To convert American mg/dl readings to the Canadian mmol/L, divide by 18.
mmol/L is the abbreviated form of millimoles per litre, a term used to describe how much glucose is present in a specific amount of blood. To convert Canadian mmol/L to American mg/dl, multiply by 18.
METFORMIN - What Does French Lilac to do with Diabetes? - Metformin is without a doubt the most commonly used medication for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and more recently in the treatment of Insulin Resistance. It was first released in 1957, as a result of the work of Jean Sterne a French physician and clinical pharmacologist. French lilac has been used since medieval times in the treatment of many health problems, including what we now know to be Type 2 Diabetes. Extracts of the plants were still used to treat Diabetes in France in the 1930's.
French Lilac (Galega officinalis) is rich in Guanidine, and although it reduces blood sugar it is just too toxic for clinical use, hence the synthesis of synthetic Giguanides. Further research has resulted in the synthesis and clinical use of Metformin.
MORBIDITY RATE is the number of cases of a particular disease occurring in a single year often expressed as 'x cases per 1000'.
MORTALITY RATE is the rate of people who die from a specific illness in relation to the total population. Mortality rates are usually expressed as the number of deaths per 1,000, 10,000 or 100,000 persons.
NEPHROLOGIST is a medical doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of people with kidney diseases.
NEPHROPATHY is any disease of the kidneys.
NEUROPATHY is inflammation or degeneration of the peripheral nerves.
OBESITY is an abnormal increase in the proportion of fat cells. Obesity is usually accompanied by other signs of poor health and is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST is a medical doctor who specializes in treatment and care of the eyes.
ORAL AGENTS are medications, taken by mouth, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT) is a test of the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrate. It is performed by giving a standard dose of glucose and measuring the blood and urine for glucose at regular intervals.
PANCREAS A fish-shaped grayish-pink nodular gland that stretches transversely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric region that secretes various substances such as digestive fluid, insulin and glucagons. It is divided into a head, a body, and a tail, and is about 13cm long in adults.
PDS Trials UK Prospective Diabetes Study was a 20-year trial which recruited 5,102 patients with type 2 diabetes in 23 clinical centres based in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
PEDIATRICIAN (also PEDIATRIST) is a medical doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of children.
PITUITARY GLAND a small oval endocrine organ connected by a stalk to the hypothalamus. It is made up of two parts :the anterior (that facing forward) is involved in making and secreting several hormones including FSH and LH.
PODIATRIST is a health professional who diagnoses and treats disorders of the feet.
POST-PRANDIAL means "after mealtime".
PRE-ECLAMPSIA a serious complication of late pregnancy characterised by a sudden increase in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, swelling and protein in the urine. It requires immediate medical attention.
PROTEIN is one of the major sources of calories in a diet. Found in meats, eggs, milk and some vegetables and starches, protein provides the body with material for building blood cells, hormones and body tissue.
SEX HORMONES a generic term to cover male and female sex hormones produced by testis, ovary and adrenal gland.
SUGAR is a simple form of carbohydrate that provides calories and raises blood glucose levels.
TYPE 1 DIABETES (or insulin-dependent diabetes) occurs when the pancreas no longer produces any or very little insulin. The body needs insulin to use sugar as an energy source. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence and affects 10% of people with diabetes.
TYPE 2 DIABETES (or non-insulin-dependent diabetes) occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs or the insulin is not metabolized effectively. Type 2 usually occurs later in life and affects 90% of people with diabetes.
UK PDS Trials UK Prospective Diabetes Study was a 20-year trial which recruited 5,102 patients with type 2 diabetes in 23 clinical centres based in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
ULCER is a crater-like lesion of the skin or mucous membrane often as a result of inflammatory process.
URINE TESTS measure substances, such as blood glucose or ketones, present in the urine.
VASCULAR DISEASE is a disease of the blood vessels.