A1C
A test that measures a person’s average blood glucose level over the past three months. Hemoglobin (HEE-mo-glo-bin) is the part of a red blood cell Read more»
acanthosis nigricans
(uh-kan-THO-sis NIH-grih-kans): a skin condition characterized by darkened skin patches; common in people whose body is not responding correctly to the insulin Read more»
acarbose
(AK-er-bose) an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes . It blocks the enzymes that digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower Read more»
ACE inhibitor
ACE inhibitors are medications that treat hypertension (High blood pressure) by relaxing the blood vessels. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent an enzyme Read more»
acesulfame
acesulfame (a-see-SUL-fame) potassium (puh-TAS-ee-um): a dietary sweetener with no calories and no nutritional value. Also known as acesulfame-K. (Brand name: Sunett.) Read more»
acesulfame potassium
(a-see-SUL-fame puh-TAS-ee-um) a dietary sweetener with no calories and no nutritional value. Also known as acesulfame-K. (Brand name: Sunett.)
acetohexamide
(a-see-toh-HEX-uh-myde): an oral medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes . It lowers blood glucose by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better use Read more»
Actos
Brand name for Pioglitazone
adhesive capsulitis
(cap-soo-LITE-is): a condition of the shoulder associated with diabetes that results in pain and loss of the ability to move the shoulder Read more»
adult-onset diabetes
former term for type 2 diabetes .
AGEs
(A-G-EEZ): stands for advanced glycosylation (gly-KOH-sih-LAY-shun) endproducts. AGEs are produced in the body when glucose links with protein . They play a role in Read more»
Agonist
An agonist is a substance that binds itself to a specific receptor and produces a physiological effect
albuminuria
(al-BYOO-mih-NOO-ree-uh): a condition in which the urine has more than normal amounts of a protein called albumin. Albuminuria may be a sign of nephropathy ( kidney Read more»
alpha cell
(AL-fa) a type of cell in the pancreas . Alpha cells make and release a hormone called glucagon . The body sends a signal to Read more»
alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
(AL-fa-gloo-KOH-sih-days) a class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that blocks enzymes that digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in Read more»
Amaryl
Brand name for glimepiride .
amylin
(AM-ih-lin): a hormone formed by beta cells in the pancreas . Amylin regulates the timing of glucose release into the bloodstream after eating by slowing the emptying Read more»
amyotrophy
(a-my-AH-truh-fee): a type of neuropathy resulting in pain, weakness, and/or wasting in the muscles.
anemia
(uh-NEE-mee-uh): a condition in which the number of red blood cells is less than normal, resulting in less oxygen being carried to Read more»
angiopathy
(an-gee-AH-puh-thee): any disease of the blood vessels ( veins , arteries , capillaries ) or lymphatic vessels.
Anorectic
a medication that suppresses the appetite
Anorexigen
a medication that suppresses the appetite
antibodies
(AN-ti-bod-eez): proteins made by the body to protect itself from “foreign” substances such as bacteria or viruses. People get type 1 diabetes when their bodies make Read more»
antigens
substances that cause an immune response in the body. The body "sees" the antigens as harmful or foreign. To fight them, the Read more»
ARB
an oral medicine that lowers blood pressure ; ARB stands for angiotensin (an-gee-oh-TEN-sin) receptor blocker.
arteriosclerosis
(ar-TEER-ee-oh-skluh-RO-sis): hardening of the arteries .
artery
a large blood vessel that carries blood with oxygen from the heart to all parts of the body.
aspart insulin
(ASS-part): a rapid-acting insulin . On average, aspart insulin (Novolog) starts to lower blood glucose within 10 to 20 minutes after injection . It has its strongest Read more»
aspartame
(ASS-per-tame): a dietary sweetener with almost no calories and no nutritional value. (Brand names: Equal, NutraSweet.)
asymptomatic
no symptoms; no clear sign of disease present.
atherosclerosis
(ATH-uh-row-skluh-RO-sis): clogging, narrowing, and hardening of the body’s large arteries and medium-sized blood vessels . Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke , heart attack, eye problems, and Read more»
autoimmune disease
(AW-toh-ih-MYOON): disorder of the body’s immune system in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys body tissue that it believes to be foreign. Read more»
autonomic neuropathy
(aw-toh-NOM-ik ne-ROP-uh-thee): a type of neuropathy affecting the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, bladder, or genitals.
Avandia
Brand name for rosiglitazone .
