Hypoglycemia (insulin reaction or low blood glucose attack): Low blood glucose levels. (Low is usually considered below 60-80 mg/dL.) Hypoglycemia may come on slowly or quickly, and may or may not produce symptoms such as dizziness, irritability and loss of consciousness. If untreated, low blood glucose can result in loss of consciousness, coma or death.
Insulin: A hormone produced by the beta cells in the pancreas that helps the body's cells to use glucose as fuel. Commercially, insulin is available as pork or beef insulin, or as genetically engineered "human" insulin. At the present time, manufactured insulin must be injected into the body (by needle, injector or pump).
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM or Type I diabetes):
A disease in which the body stops producing insulin, and the person requires insulin injections in order to live. Type I diabetes usually affects people under the age of 25.
This type of diabetes is also called juvenile-onset, unstable or brittle diabetes.
Ketoacidosis: A complication of diabetes that occurs when the body is not able to use (burn) glucose for energy and has to use stored fat for fuel instead. This process produces ketones (acids) that build up in the blood and spill into the urine.
Ketosis (the first stage) occurs when there is not enough insulin available to handle glucose transport into the cells, or when there is not enough glucose in the bloodstream. Ketones can be detected in the urine with a simple dip-and-read strip test or tablet test.
Untreated ketosis can develop into ketoacidosis; untreated ketoacidosis may result in coma and death.
Nephropathy: A complication of diabetes in which the kidney can not filter harmful wastes out of the bloodstream into the urine.
Nephropathy develops gradually, and may be associated with high blood glucose levels over a period of years. Kidney failure may result from this complication.
Neuropathy: A complication of diabetes in which the nerves are damaged. There are two forms of neuropathy:
Peripheral neuropathy, which affects the motor/sensory nerves. These nerves control the muscles in the body. Loss of feeling, pain or tingling in the feet, legs, or hands are the primary problems caused by this type of neuropathy.
Autonomic neuropathy, which affects the involuntary nerves. These nerves regulate body functions without a person's awareness. Loss of function of certain organs and systems (heart, stomach, bladder, genitals) may result from this type of neuropathy.
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or Type II diabetes):
A disease in which the body produces some insulin but can not use it effectively.
Type II usually affects people over the age of 40. Many people who develop Type II diabetes are overweight or obese.
Others at risk include those with a family history of Type II diabetes and women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.
The first line of attack (treatment) for Type II diabetes is weight loss, diet and exercise. If this approach does not work to control blood glucose levels, one of the oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin injections, or a combination of the two treatments may be prescribed.
This kind of diabetes is also called adult- or maturity-onset diabetes.
Oral agent (hypoglycemic medication):
A medication that helps control blood glucose in some people with Type II diabetes. At the present time there are two generations of oral agents available for prescription in the United States.
Renal threshold: The level at which excess glucose in the blood starts to spill (through the kidneys) into the urine. The average renal threshold is a glucose level of about 160 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL (although this varies dramatically with each individual).
Retinopathy: A complication of diabetes in which the small blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina) are damaged. This damage may result in blurry or impaired vision, or eventually, blindness.
There are two types of retinopathy:
Background retinopathy, which involves the leaking of fluid from the small blood vessels in the retina. Blurred vision may result.
Proliferative retinopathy, which develops when background retinopathy worsens. When this occurs, there is growth of fragile, abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These fragile vessels may leak fluid and blood into the eye and interfere with vision, and may cause scarring.
If untreated, proliferative retinopathy can result in blindness.
If detected before permanent damage is done, retinopathy can be effectively slowed or stopped with laser beam treatment.
Maintenance of good blood glucose control, too, is a must.