Health Information
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Glossary

Acidosis

An accumulation of acids in the body interfering with normal acid/base balance. See ketoacidosis.

Catecholamines

A class of neurotransmitters or substances released at nerve endings to facilitate transmission of nerve impulses.

Diabetes Mellitus

From the Greek words, diabetes, meaning to siphon or run through, and mellitus, meaning honey sweet. Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia or high blood sugar as a result of impaired insulin production or the body's inability to use insulin.

Diabetes Insipidus

A rare disorder of the Pituitary gland which is located in the base of the brain and is responsible for secretion of many hormones including the anti-diuretic hormone, ADH. This hormone prevents the kidneys from eliminating too much water from the body; thus, diminished ADH regulation leads to polydipsia and polyuria. This is distinctly different from diabetes mellitus.

Epinephrine

A catecholamine which also helps to maintain blood sugar levels during periods of stress. During periods of stress, epinephrine inhibits insulin release from beta cells and decreases the movement of glucose into body cells. It also helps convert glycogen stores to glucose.

Fasting Blood Glucose

The normal fasting blood glucose is 70-110 mg/dL.

Glucagon

A secretion of the alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans which promotes the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. Whereas insulin decreases blood sugar, glucagon increases it and thus is an important regulator.

Glucocorticoids

Hormones produced in the adrenal cortex of the kidney with other corticosteroid hormones and which increase blood glucose. The most important of these is cortisol which, during periods of fasting and stress, stimulates the liver to produce more glucose. Prolonged elevation of glucocorticoid hormones in the non-diabetic can cause hyperglycemia and diabetes; in the diabetic, the transient increases can complicate control. Cortisol levels increase during periods of physical stress such as infection, pain, surgery, and trauma, prolonged and strenuous exercise, and in acute anxiety.

Glycosuria

Glucose in the urine.

Hormone

From the Greek word meaning to stir up. A hormone is a chemical substance, usually secreted by endocrine glands or other specialized cells into the bloodstream, which performs some special function or change.

Hyperglycemia

Elevated blood sugar. Any serum glucose level >= 126 mg/dL is now considered above normal because at that level, complications will begin to occur.

Hypoglycemia

A lowered blood sugar (< 50mg/100ml) often called an insulin reaction. The onset is recognized by hunger, anxiety, clammy skin, altered behavior, and increased heart rate, and leads to seizure activity and coma if not treated immediately

Insulin Resistance

Impaired insulin effectiveness in both glucose uptake at the cellular level and decreasing glucose production in the liver.

Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is the result of the breakdown of fats causing an increase in fatty acids and ketones. The patient has a characteristic fruity or "new moan hay" smell and breathing becomes rapid in an attempt to correct acid/base balance. This acidotic state can lead to stupor, coma, and death.

Norepinephrine

A catecholamine, the precursor of epinephrine.

Polydipsia

Persistent and excessive thirst associated with a number of disorders including diabetes.

Polyuria

Frequent and excessive urination associated with a number of disorders including diabetes.

Proinsulin

The precursor to the active form of insulin

Somogyi Phenomenon

A cycle of alternating hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic states resulting from an insulin reaction where the compensatory increase in epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, cortisol, and growth hormone raise blood sugar levels and increase insulin resistance. Higher doses of insulin are then needed to counteract this mechanism: thus, the cycle is repeated.

Stress

Can be thought of as exposure to excessive demands which can alter the normal homeostasis or balance of the body system. Accordingly, stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it. Stress is an important factor in diabetic control because it raises the levels of certain hormones, such as cortisol, which increase blood glucose and promote insulin resistance at the cellular level.

Stressors

Agents or events responsible for initiating a stress response; they may arise from within or without the body.