Definitions: All definitions are from the Diabetes Dictionary (public domain) The dictionary is not meant for self diagnosis, but for educational information only. 

1. diabetes mellitus (MELL-ih-tus): a condition characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from the body's inability to use blood glucose for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin and therefore blood glucose cannot enter the cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use insulin correctly.

2. glucose: one of the simplest forms of sugar.

3. glycemic (gly-SEE-mik) index: a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods, based on the food's effect on blood glucose compared with a standard reference food.

4. hemoglobin (A1C): a test that measures a person's average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. Hemoglobin (HEE-mo-glo-bin) is the part of a red blood cell that carries oxygen to the cells and sometimes joins with the glucose in the bloodstream. Also called hemoglobin A1C or glycosylated (gly-KOH-sih-lay-ted) hemoglobin, the test shows the amount of glucose that sticks to the red blood cell, which is proportional to the amount of glucose in the blood.

5. beta cell: a cell that makes insulin. Beta cells are located in the islets of the pancreas.

6. blood glucose: the main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy. Also called blood sugar.

7. blood glucose level: the amount of glucose in a given amount of blood. It is noted in milligrams in a deciliter, or mg/dL.

8. carbohydrate counting: a method of meal planning for people with diabetes based on counting the number of grams of carbohydrate in food.

9. certified diabetes educator (CDE): a health care professional with expertise in diabetes education who has met eligibility requirements and successfully completed a certification exam.

10. coma: a sleep-like state in which a person is not conscious. May be caused by hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with diabetes.

11. ketoacidosis (KEY-toe-ass-ih-DOH-sis) (DKA): an emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor, and rapid breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death.

12. myelopathy (my-eh-LAH-puh-thee): damage to the spinal cord found in some people with diabetes.

13. diabetologist (DY-uh-beh-TAH-luh-jist): a doctor who specializes in treating people who have diabetes.

14. endocrinologist (EN-doh-krih-NAH-luh-jist): a doctor who treats people who have endocrine gland problems such as diabetes.

15. hyperglycemia (HY-per-gly-SEE-mee-uh): excessive blood glucose. Fasting hyperglycemia is blood glucose above a desirable level after a person has fasted for at least 8 hours. Postprandial hyperglycemia is blood glucose above a desirable level 1 to 2 hours after a person has eaten.

16. hypoglycemia (hy-po-gly-SEE-mee-uh): a condition that occurs when one's blood glucose is lower than normal, usually less than 70 mg/dL. Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness, and confusion. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness. Hypoglycemia is treated by consuming a carbohydrate-rich food such as a glucose tablet or juice. It may also be treated with an injection of glucagon if the person is unconscious or unable to swallow. Also called an insulin reaction.

17. metabolic syndrome: the tendency of several conditions to occur together, including obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes or pre-diabetes, hypertension, and high lipids.

18. metabolism: the term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to store or use energy and make the proteins, fats, and sugars needed by the body.

19. nephropathy (neh-FROP-uh-thee): disease of the kidneys. Hyperglycemia and hypertension can damage the kidneys' glomeruli. When the kidneys are damaged, protein leaks out of the kidneys into the urine. Damaged kidneys can no longer remove waste and extra fluids from the bloodstream.

20. neuropathy (ne-ROP-uh-thee): disease of the nervous system. The three major forms in people with diabetes are peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and mononeuropathy. The most common form is peripheral neuropathy, which affects mainly the legs and feet.

21. pancreas (PAN-kree-us): an organ that makes insulin and enzymes for digestion. The pancreas is located behind the lower part of the stomach and is about the size of a hand.

22. pediatric (pee-dee-AT-rik) endocrinologist (en-doh-krih-NAH-luh-jist): a doctor who treats children who have endocrine gland problems such as diabetes.

23. pre-diabetes: a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. Other names for pre-diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.

24. Somogyi (suh-MOH-jee) effect, also called rebound hyperglycemia: when the blood glucose level swings high following hypoglycemia. The Somogyi effect may follow an untreated hypoglycemic episode during the night and is caused by the release of stress hormones.