Glossary

Well hello there, you've reached the part of the internet where I try to help unscramble your brains after the confusion I caused. So here is a glossary of all the complicated diabetes mumbo jumbo that you are forced to read about. If I've missed anything drop me a comment and I will add it to the list.

(Hb)A1c: A test that reveals exactly how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past three months by taking an average.

Basal Rate: The continuous flow of insulin administered by an insulin pump.

Beta cells: Cells found in the pancreas that make insulin

Blood Glucose: Also known as blood sugar, glucose comes from the food we eat and is carried around the body in the blood.

Blood Glucose meter: A small machine that measures the amount of glucose in the blood. A small drop of blood is taken by pricking a finger, this is then placed on a test strip and the meter can then work out how much glucose is in the blood.

Blood Glucose Monitoring: The monitoring of the glucose in the blood using a blood glucose meter.

Bolus: A dose of insulin administered with food or a blood glucose test by an insulin pump.

Diabetes: Shortened name for diabetes mellitus, the condition where the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells so the pancreas can no longer produce insulin.

Diabetic Retinopathy: An eye disease which happens to people with diabetes when the small blood vessel of the retina become swollen and leak liquid into the retina. This causes blurring vision and sometimes blindness.

Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy; it typically subsides after the baby is born. 

Glucagon: The hormone injected into a diabetic when they are experiencing severe hypoglycemia.

Glucose: Sugar that we get from food

Hyperglcemia: Also known as high blood sugar, the result of too much glucose in the blood. Causes thirstiness, excessive urination and throwing up.

Hypoglycemia:Also known as low blood sugar, occurs when there is too little glucose in the blood. Causes hunger, dizziness and many other symptoms.

Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas which is used in the production of energy from glucose.

Ketoacidosis: A very serious condition caused by having prolonged hyperglycemia. Causes comas and even death due to the muscles not getting any glucose and having to break down fats for energy, this produces ketones.

Ketones: The chemical substance made my the body from the breakdown of fats when there isnt any insulin in the blood, causes ketoacidosis.

Nephropathy: Diabetic kidney disease where they kidney does not filter the blood properly so protein ends up in the urine.

Neuropathy: Diabete-caused nerve damage, typically in the feet and hands but major organs can be also.

Pancreas: The organ that makes insulin which is needed to convert glucose to energy.

Type 1 diabetes: Insulin-dependent diabetes that requires life long insulin treatment. Type 1 occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin.

Type 2 diabetes: A condition where the body does not make enough if any insulin. Can be controlled by exercise and diet, medication and eventually insulin.