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The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Glossary
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Glossary of
Frequently Used Diabetes Terms |
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- ALBUMINURIA
- Large amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine
which may indicate kidney disease. Long-time diabetes
tends to damage the kidneys and is suspected when higher
than normal levels of this protein is found.
- ANTIBODY
- A protein in the body made by the immune system to
protect or fight against foreign substances like bacteria
or germs. When certain antibodies are found, it means
that a particular germ has been or is present. In Type I
diabetes, the cells that produce insulin are incorrectly
seen as "foreign invaders" so the body produces
antibodies to begin fighting off the foreigners. When
levels of specific antibodies are found during a blood
test, this may indicate that the body is trying to fight
off the insulin cells. This is how diabetes may be
predicted.
- BETA CELL
- Cells found in the pancreas that produce insulin. These
cells are found in tissue called "islets of
Langerhans." Islet tissue contains beta cells
(sometimes written as b-cell), alpha cells and delta
cells. Alpha cells produce glucagon and release it in the
bloodstream when the body needs to put more sugar into
the blood. Glucagon has also been made into a medicine
that can be injected when severe low blood sugar
reactions occur. Delta cells (also found in islet tissue)
produce a hormone called somostatin which controls how
beta cells make and release insulin, and how glucagon is
made and released from the alpha cells.
- BLOOD GLUCOSE
(SUGAR)
- Sugar that the body makes from three food elements:
proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Glucose is the major
source of energy for all cells and is carried in the
bloodstream.
- BOLUS DOSE
- An extra boost of short-acting insulin to cover an
expected rise in blood sugar, usually administered
one-half hour before a meal.
- C-PEPTIDE
- A hormone automatically released by the pancreas along
with insulin. A test of levels of c-peptide will show how
much insulin is being made.
- COXSACKIE B-4 VIRUS
- A virus that has been shown in laboratory tests to damage
beta cells. It is thought that this virus may be one of
the causes of Type I diabetes in genetically susceptible
people.
- CREATININE
- A chemical in the blood that is passed out of the body in
the urine. The amount of this chemical in blood or urine
shows whether or not the kidneys are functioning
properly. This is called a "creatinine clearance
test."
- GENETIC
SUSCEPTIBILITY
- Genes are passed on from both parents to a child. Traits
such as eye color, height etc. are inherited. Genes tell
cells in the body what to do. If the genes for diabetes
are present, it is thought that they may be carried and
remain dormant or, if triggered by an outside influence
(such as a virus), may be turned on for the diabetic
process to start. It is not yet known how many and what
all of the "triggers" may be.
- HEMOGLOBIN
A1C (GLUCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN)
- A substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the
tissues in the body. Sugar attaches to hemoglobin cells
which have a life-span in the body of about four to six
months. When the amount of attached sugar is measured, an
average blood sugar level for a two to three month period
may be found. Despite moderate daily fluctuation, this
average "A1C" measurement is a better overall
measure of control. An A1C of 6.5 to eight is thought to
be a very good average.
- HLA ANTIGENS
- Proteins that are found on the outer part of a cell that
normally help the body fight off illness. It is thought
that a certain type of HLA antigen may be misrecognized
and actually cause the immune system to attack the
proteins surrounding beta cells.
- HYPERGLYCEMIA
- High blood glucose (sugar). When there is not enough
insulin in the body to turn glucose into energy.
- HYPOGLYCEMIA
- Low blood glucose (sugar). When glucose levels are too
low. This happens when too much insulin is in the body
(hyperinsulinemia, also known as an "insulin
reaction"), or when not enough food is eaten or when
there is too much exercise and not enough food.
- IDDM
- Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Sometimes known as
juvenile or juvenile onset and also known as Type I
diabetes. The cells in the pancreas that produce insulin
(beta cells) have been destroyed and no longer produce
insulin. It usually starts in childhood, but can begin in
late adolescence or early- to mid-adulthood. Insulin must
be injected to help the body use sugars produced by many
types of food that is eaten. Insulin cannot be taken
orally in pill or liquid form because acid in the stomach
during digestion destroys most of it, leaving too little
or no insulin for the body to use.
- INSULIN RECEPTORS
- Areas on the outer part of a cell that joins with insulin
in the blood like a "lock and key." When this
happens, the cell can then use the sugar in the
bloodstream efficiently for energy. If receptors are
damaged or not working properly, this can effect the
efficiency of insulin much like a faulty key that opens a
lock, but with much difficulty. This can cause what is
known as "insulin resistance."
Copyright © 1996 Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation International. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The BETA SOCIETY, COUNTDOWN, CREATING A WORLD WITHOUT DIABETES,
THE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION, JDF, JUVENILE DIABETES
FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL, THE ONLY REMEDY IS A CURE, WALK FOR THE
CURE, 1-800-JDF-CURE and 1-800-WALK-JDF are Trademarks and
Service marks of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International.
E-mail comments to info@jdfcure.com
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
The Diabetes Research Foundation
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005-4001
800-JDF-CURE
212-785-9500
Fax 212-785-9595
