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A1C: A test that sums up how much glucose
has been sticking to part of the hemoglobin during
the past 3–4 months. Hemoglobin is a substance
in the red blood cells that supplies oxygen to the
cells of the body.
Acanthosis: A skin condition characterized
by darkened skin patches; common in people whose
body is not responding correctly to the insulin
that they make in their pancreas (insulin resistance).
This skin condition is also seen in people who have
pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Acarbose A drug used as a treatment for Type
2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes; belongs to
a class of drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
ACE inhibitor: A type of drug used to lower
blood pressure. Studies indicate that it may also
help prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease
in people with diabetes. ACE is an acronym for angiotensin-converting
enzyme.
Acesulfame: A dietary sweetener with no calories
and no nutritional value. Also known as acesulfame-K.
(Brand name: Sunett.)
Acetohexamide A "first-generation"
sulfonylurea pill taken to lower the level of glucose
(sugar) in the blood. Only some people with Type
2 diabetes take these pills.
Adhesive capsulitis: A condition of the shoulder
associated with diabetes that results in pain and
loss of the ability to move the shoulder in all
directions.
Adult-onset diabetes: Former term for type
2 diabetes.
AGEs: Stands for advanced glycosylation endproducts.
AGEs are produced in the body when glucose links
with protein. They play a role in damaging blood
vessels, which can lead to diabetes complications.
Albuminuria: A condition in which the urine
has more than normal amounts of a protein called
albumin. Albuminuria may be a sign of nephropathy
(kidney disease).
Alpha cell: A type of cell in the pancreas.
Alpha cells make and release a hormone called glucagon.
The body sends a signal to the alpha cells to make
glucagon when blood glucose falls too low. Then
glucagon reaches the liver where it tells it to
release glucose into the blood for energy.
Amylin: 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 of the stomach.
Amyotrophy: A type of neuropathy resulting
in pain, weakness, and/or wasting in the muscles.
Anemia: A condition in which the number of
red blood cells is less than normal, resulting in
less oxygen being carried to the body's cells.
Angiopathy: Any disease of the blood vessels
(veins, arteries, capillaries) or lymphatic vessels.
Antibodies: Proteins that the body makes
to protect itself from foreign substances. Occasionally,
the body also makes proteins against normal parts
of the body. These proteins are called autoantibodies.
Exogenous Antibodies: In either Type 1 or
Type 2 diabetes, the body sometimes makes antibodies
to work against pork or beef insulins because they
are not exactly the same as human insulin or because
they have impurities. These antibodies can keep
the insulin from working well and may rarely cause
the person with diabetes to have an allergic or
bad reaction to the beef or pork insulins.
Endogenous Antibodies: In Type 1 diabetes,
several different autoantibodies against normal
tissues are found. These antibodies are associated
with the destruction of the beta
cells of the pancreas, although their exact
role is uncertain. Some of the autoantibodies which
are found in diabetes patients include: islet-cell
antibodies (ICAs), anti-insulin antibodies (AIAs),
and anti-GAD antibodies.
ARB: An oral medicine that lowers blood pressure;
ARB stands for angiotensin (an-gee-oh-TEN-sin) receptor
blocker.
Arteriosclerosis: 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: A rapid-acting insulin. On
average, aspart insulin starts to lower blood glucose
within 10 to 20 minutes after injection. It has
its strongest effect 1 to 3 hours after injection
but keeps working for 3 to 5 hours after injection.
Aspartame: A dietary sweetener with almost
no calories and no nutritional value. (Brand names:
Equal, NutraSweet.)
Atherosclerosis: 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 kidney problems.
Autoimmune process: A process where the body’s
immune system attacks and destroys body tissue that
it mistakes for foreign matter.
Autonomic neuropathy: A type of neuropathy
affecting the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines,
bladder, or genitals.
Avandia: See rosiglitazone.
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