If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes the medical terms used to describe the condition may seem confusing and overwhelming. Below is a list of the most commonly used diabetes words and their meanings. This may help you better understand information enabling you to have more effective conversations with your Health Care Professionals.
| Common Diabetes Terminology |
Easy Explanation |
|
Auto immune disease |
A type of disorder in which the body's immune system destroys body tissue believing it to be a foreign substance. |
|
Basal insulin |
Refers to background insulin that is normally produced by the pancreas and it remains available all the time irrespective of whether a person eats food or not. |
|
Beta cells |
Cells that produce insulin. Beta cells are located in the pancreas. |
|
Blood glucose |
Also known as blood sugar. It is the main type of sugar found in the blood. |
|
Blood glucose level |
Amount of glucose in the blood at a particular time. It is measured in two types of units, mmol per litre (mmol/L) and milligram per decilitre (mg/dl). In NZ and Australia, mmol/L is the standard unit used to measure blood glucose levels. |
|
BMI |
Body Mass Index. It is a measure to evaluate body weight relative to a person's height. It is commonly used to understand if a person is overweight, underweight or normal weight. |
|
Bolus Insulin |
Additional insulin supplied by the pancreas when glucose is taken in through food. The amount of carbohydrate in the food determines the quantity of bolus insulin produced by the pancreas. |
|
Carbohydrates |
It is one of the three main nutrients in food; the other two are proteins and fat. |
|
Carb counting |
It is a process of planning a meal based on the amount of carbohydrates (in grams) in the meal. |
|
Cardiovascular disease |
Disease of heart and blood vessels. |
|
Chronic disease or condition |
A disease or condition that is persistent and has long lasting effects. |
|
Endocrine gland |
A group of cells in the body that produces hormones. The islets of pancreas that produce insulin are types of endocrine glands. |
|
Glucose |
One of the simplest forms of sugar. |
|
HbA1c |
It is a test to measure a person's average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months. |
|
Hyperglycaemia |
Higher than normal levels of blood glucose. |
|
Hypoglycaemia |
Lower than normal levels of blood glucose. |
|
Insulin |
A hormone that helps the body to use glucose for energy. |
|
Pancreas |
An organ that makes insulin and other digestive enzymes. |
|
SMBG |
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose |
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