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•Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
•Beta cells
•Beta cell stimulants
•Biguanide agents
•Diabetic ketoacidosis
•Gestational diabetes
•Glucose
•Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test
•Hyperglycemia
•Hypoglycemia
•Insulin
•Insulin resistance
•Insulin shock
•Neuropathy
•Nephropathy
•Pancreas
•Retinopathy
•Sulfonylurea agents
•Thiazolidinediones
•Type 1 diabetes
•Type 2 diabetes
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors — Medicines that treat diabetes by slowing down the absorption of sugars from the intestine.
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Beta cells — Cells that release insulin; found in the pancreas.
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Beta cell stimulants — Medicines that make beta cells secrete more insulin.
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Biguanide agents — Medicines that lower the liver’s production of blood sugar and lower insulin resistance.
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Diabetic ketoacidosis (key-toe-ass-ih-DOH-sis) — When blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes are high enough to threaten life and require emergency treatment. It happens when there is no insulin to provide sugar to cells. As a result, acid builds up in blood.
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Gestational diabetes — High blood sugar level diagnosed during pregnancy. The condition usually goes away after delivery.
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Glucose — A simple sugar found in the blood that is the body’s main source of energy.
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Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test — Blood test to find the blood sugar level that a person has averaged over a two- to three-month period.
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Hyperglycemia (hy-per-gly-SEE-mee-uh) — High blood sugar.
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Hypoglycemia (hy-po-gly-SEE-mee-uh) — Low blood sugar.
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Insulin — Natural hormone that helps the body’s cells use blood sugar for energy.
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Insulin resistance — A leading cause of type 2 diabetes. It develops when the body does not respond to insulin as it should.
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Insulin shock — A severe condition that occurs when the blood sugar level drops quickly.
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Neuropathy (ne-ROP-uh-thee) — Damage to the nerves of a person with diabetes. A risk factor for the disease is uncontrolled high blood sugars.
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Nephropathy (neh-FROP-uh-thee) — Kidney damage caused by high blood pressure or diabetes, diagnosed when protein is found in the urine.
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Pancreas (PAN-kree-us) — A large gland behind the stomach that makes and secretes insulin.
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Retinopathy (REH-tih-NOP-uh-thee) — Damage to the small blood vessels in the retina (back of the eye).
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Sulfonylurea agents (SUL-fo-nil-yu-REE-ah) — Medicines that make beta cells secrete more insulin.
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Thiazolidinediones — Medicines that help to improve insulin sensitivity.
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Type 1 diabetes — In this type of diabetes, the body does not make insulin. The immune system mistakenly attacks the cells that make and release insulin. As these cells die, high sugar levels build up in the blood. Type 1 diabetes often affects children, but adults can develop it, too.
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Type 2 diabetes — The most common form of diabetes. It accounts for 90% to 95% of diabetes cases. In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance) or the body does not produce enough insulin. Over time, high sugar levels build up in the bloodstream—resulting in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
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