A to Z of Diabetes
A1c:
See HbA1c
Acanthosis Nigricans:
This is often seen in diabetes and is associated with insulin resistance. It is characterized by brown, velvety patches in the axilla and body folds.
Acarbose:
Drug used for the treatment for Type 2 diabetes. It prevents breakdown of complex carbohydrate in intestine and lowers blood glucose. It often gives flatulence and diarrhoea as side effects.
ACE:
See ACE Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors:
Drug used to treat high blood pressure. It also helps prevent or slow nephropathy (the damage to kidney) in people with diabetes. It works by blocking Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. Cough is the common side effect.
Acidosis :
See Ketoacidosis
ACR:
See Albumin Creatinine ratio
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is the practise of traditional Chinese medicine that involves insertion of special needles into specific areas of the body to stimulate the functions of the organs. Its practitioners claim this to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. It has been used frequently in the treatment of painful neuropathy.
ADA:
See American Diabetes Association
Adult-Onset Diabetes :
Now known as type 2 diabetes.
Advanced Glycated End Products:
Excess glucose in the blood settles into the cells and forms a substance known as advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). These accumulate over time and cause various complications of diabetes. AGEs are found in vessels of the eyes, kidneys and extremities. They
AGE:
See Advanced Glycated End Products.
Albumin Creatinine ratio:
A measure of kidney function by testing urine in laboratory. It measures ratio of albumin to creatinine in urine and this will diagnose micoalbuminuria and albuminuria , which are various stages of diabetic nephropathy (Kidney damage).
Albuminuria:
Leakage of more than 300mg of albumin in urine in 24 hours. This can also be measured by albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) or protein creatinine ratio (PCR) in a sample of urine.
Alcohol in Diabetes:
People with diabetes can also enjoy a drink. HoweverHHHH However alcohol does have an effect on blood sugar levels and it may cause severe hypoglycaemia. Therefore binge drinking has to be avoided.
Alternative Medical Therapies for Diabetes:
Many people use alternative medical therapies for diabetes. These include dietary supplememnts (eg methi, cinnamon,Gourd), yoga, acupuncture or Ayurvedic medicines. Although some of these therapies may be effective, others can be ineffective or even harmful. Patients who use these therapies should inform their health care providers.
Amayotrophy:
A type of diabetic neuropathy that causes pain, weakness and wasting of thigh muscles.
American Diabetes Association:
This is an American organisation helping develop understanding of diabetes. http://www.diabetes.org/
Amputation:
Surgical removal of part of limb. Amputation of leg is a common complication of diabetes.
Angina:
See Ischaemic Heart Disease.
Angiogram:
Special X-Ray performed to look at blood vessel. It is commonly done to look at blood vessels supplying heart (Coronary), legs (peripheral) or brain (cerebral).
Angioplasty:
Special procedure to open blood vessels by stretching narrowed blood vessel using a balloon. It is commonly done in blood vessels supplying the heart (Coronary angioplasty) or the legs(Peripheral angioplasty).
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers:
Drug used to treat high blood pressure. It works by blocking a receptor for angiotensin. It also help prevent or slow nephropathy (the damage to kidney) in people with diabetes.
Annual Review in Diabetes:
People with diabetes need checking for complications and review of treatment once a year. In some centres it is done all at once and is called annual review. In most centres including Diabetacare it is spread over 3 or 4 visits.
Annular Granuloma :
See Granuloma Annulare
ARB:
See Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Arrhythmias:
Irregular beating of the heart. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening.
Arthropathy (Neuropathic):
See Charcot foot
Artificial Pancreas:
A closed loop system where blood glucose is continuously monitored, necessary dose of insulin is calculated by computer programme and appropriate amount of insulin is given by insulin pump. This is still in experimental state.
Aspirin:
A common tablet prescribed to prevent heart attack and stroke which is common in diabetes. It thins the blood and prevents blockage of blood vessels.
Atherosclerosis:
A condition when fat builds up in the blood vessel causing it to be narrowed with risk for blockage. People with diabetes are three time more prone to develop this.
Autoimmune Disease:
In this condition the body’s immune system attack and destroy various organs believing it not to belong as its own. Type 1 diabetes occurs due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
Autonomic Neuropathy:
A type of neuropathy that affect internal organs of body. It can affect stomach giving gastroparesis, heart causing Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy and postural hypotension, bladder causing urinary retention and sexual organ causing impotence.
Ayurvedic medicines:
Many plants extracts can lower blood sugar and are available in different format as Ayurvedic/Homeopathic medicines all over the worldomeoHH H
. However the content of active compounds in these medicines is not tested rigorously and scientifically. The amount of active ingredients are also not standardised which can affect t treatment. It is very important to discuss with your doctor if you are taking them.
Background Retinopathy:
Early stage of diabetic retinopathy that does not affect vision or need treatment. It is also called nonproliferative retinopathy. It needs regular check up.
Bariatric Surgery:
Surgery of stomach performed in very obese patient that restricts what they eat leading to weight loss. Bariatric surgery often improves diabetes and it may go into remission.
Basal insuin:
Long acting Insulin (Levemir, Lantus, Isophane) given once or twice a day to counteract sugar produced by liver in between meals.
Basal Bolus insulin:
A regime of giving multiple (usually 4) doses of insulin. Basal insulin is usually given once a day at bed time and bolus insulin is given 3 times a day before meal.
Beta cells:
Cells in the pancreas in areas called the Islets of Langerhans that make and release hormone insulin needed to control level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Beta Cell Transplantation:
See Transplant
Biphasic Insulin:
See Pre-mixed insulin
Blood Glucose monitoring:
It is the test done by patient usually at home to check the level of glucose in their blood by testing a drop of blood.
Blindness:
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the eye, potentially leading to blindness. While those with diabetes are at an increased risk of vision problems, most people with diabetes have no or only minor eye disorders.
Blood Pressure:
It is the pressure within the blood vessel occurred due to contraction of the heart. Blood pressure is usually written as 2 figures (eg 140/90) where higher figure is the systolic blood pressure and lower pressure is diastolic blood pressure. In diabetes blood pressure should be below 130 /80. High blood pressure is the main cause of stroke and other problems such as nephropathy, retinopathy and heart attack.
BM Test:
See blood glucose monitoring
Bolus insulin:
Short acting insulin given before each meal.
BMI and diabetes:
BMI, or body mass index, is an indirect measurement of the amount of fat in a person's body. A high BMI predicts the development of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
Body mass index:
Body mass index measures the degree of obesity.It can be calculated by dividing weight in kilogram by height in meter squre. [BMI = Weight in kg / (height in meter)2].
Borderline Diabetes:
See Pre-diabetes
Brittle Diabetes:
Occasionally some patients with type 1 diabetes have great difficulty to control blood sugar. It fluctuates from very high sugar to very low sugar within a short period. It is often found in patients who do not adhere to the treatment advice.
Bronze Diabetes:
See hemochromatosis
Breastfeeding and Diabetes:
Breastfeeding will give infant a head start on a healthy life. It also helps its blood sugar levels — which react inside the uterus mother's glucose imbalance. If the mother has diabetes, they need to monitor diet and lifestyle extra carefully as there is risk of hypoglycaemia. Mother should take extra meal or adjust insulin if it occurs.
Bypass:
Surgical operation to improve blood flow in an organ by bypassing the blocked blood vessel. It is usually performed in the heart (coronary bypass) or the legs (peripheral bypass).
CAD:
See Ischaemic Heart Disease
Calcium Channel Blocker:
A drug to lower blood pressure
Callus:
Hard skin on the pressure area. In foot it can lead to ulcers.
Calorie:
Unit of measurement of energy that comes from food and is lost through exercise. Fats have high calories but salads have least. In general average sedentary man needs 1800 calorie and women 1600 every day. Excess calorie leads to weight gain and its deficit leads to weight loss. Calorie calculation is important if one wants to lose weight.
Cancer:
Diabetes carries an increased risk of different forms of cancer. This may be because of higher insulin level which promotes growth of various cells or due to obesity which is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes. The risk of liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and endometrial cancer is higher in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also be due to various drugs used for the treatment of diabetes. Pioglitazone can increase the risk of bladder cancer.
Capsaicin:
Cream derived from hot chilli pepper that is used to treat painful neuropathy.
Carbohydrate:
Carbohydrates are basic food component found in common food substances. It can be simple (mainly sugars) which is found in sweets, sugar, cakes and chocolates. The glucose absorbs very fast from the intestine when simple carbohydrates is consumed. Therefore this should preferably be avoided by people with diabetes. It can be complex (mainly starches) which is found in rice, chapatti, naan. The glucose absorbs slowly from complex carbohydrates. People with diabetes should consume complex carbohydrate in moderation.
Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy:
Autonomic neuropathy affecting the heart. This presents as high pulse rate at rest, inability to exercise, postural hypotension and risk of sudden death.
Cardiomyopathy:
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that damages the structure and function of the heart. This disease can lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. This can occur in people who have diabetes even without underlying ischaemic heart disease.
Carpal tunnel syndrome:
Pain and weakness of the hand caused by compression of a nerve at the wrist. This may need operation. It is more common in people with diabetes.
Cataract:
An eye condition where people cannot see properly because of clouding of the lens. This is often found in old age but may be seen in young people who have diabetes.
Celiac Disease:
This is an autoimmune disorder of intestine triggered by cereal proteins called gluten that leads malabsorption that can cause anaemia. This disease can be present in 5% of people with type 1 diabetes. It can be detected by doing blood test and endoscopy.
Central obesity:
Central obesity is the presence of excess fat in the abdomen making people pot bellied. In this condition, the fat is predominantly deposited around internal organs making them susceptible to diabetes and heart attack. If the waist circumference is more than 90 cm in males and more than 80 cm in females central obesity is present.
Cerebral Angiogram:
See Angiogram
Cerebrovascular Disease:
See Stroke
Charcot Foot:
Charcot foot is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant neuropathy. The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot eventually changes shape. As the disorder progresses, the joints collapse and the foot takes on an abnormal shape, such as a rocker-bottom appearance. Diabetes is the most common cause of this deformity.
CHD (Coronary Heart Disease):
See Ischaemic heart Disease
Cheiroarthropathy:
It is seen in long-standing diabetes caused by prolonged exposure of high blood glucose to the connective tissue. This results in thickening of skin and tendons causing limited joint mobility and contracture of hands and feet. The patient with diabetic cheiroarthropathy is unable to press the palms together to fully flatten the hands also called "prayer sign". Limited joint mobility of feet may be responsible for developing diabetic foot ulcer.
Cholesterol:
Cholesterol is important as it forms the outer membrane that surrounds every cell, make nerve work properly and make hormones. Without cholesterol the body will not work. However, too much cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of ischaemic heart disease and disease of the arteries. There are many types of cholesterols. LDL cholesterol is harmful as its higher level increases the risk of heart attack, but like HDL is good and its higher level protects.
Chronic Kidney Disease:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the progressive loss in kidney function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are unspecific. Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes.
Chronic Renal Failure:
See Chronic Kidney Disease
Cinnamon:
Recent research has suggested that cinnamon may improve blood glucose levels and blood fats in people with Type 2 diabetes.
CKD:
See Chronic Kidney Disease
Congenital Defects:
These are abnormalities which are present at birth. Poor control of diabetes in Pregnancy can lead to this.
Coronary Angiogram:
See Angiogram.
Coronary angioplasty:
See Angioplasty.
Coronary artery disease:
See Ischaemic heart disease
Coronary bypass:
See Bypass
Coronary Heart Disease:
See Ischaemic heart disease
Clinical Trial:
See Randomised clinical trial
C-peptide:
It is substance found in blood secreted by beta cells of pancreas along with insulin. It can be measured to assess the amount of insulin secreted.
CRF:
See Chronic Kidney Disease
Creatinine:
It is measured in blood to see how well is kidney functioning. It rises with kidney failure.
Delayed gastric emptying:
See Gastroparesis
Depression in Diabetes:
People with diabetes have a greater risk of depression than people without diabetes. There are no easy answers about why this happens. The stress of daily diabetes management can build this up. Similarly complications of diabetes may reduce the quality of life and give rise to depression. On the other had depression can block good diabetes self-care.