When you're learning how to live with type 2 diabetes, it's the most basic information that will be your foundation for life-long management of your disease. Therefore, it is important that you understand the basic words that you see and hear every day when learning about diabetes. The following is a list of commonly used words and terms that you should know. Understanding what these words mean doesn't have to be difficult and can be one of the most important things you do. Knowing what they mean will help you understand more about diabetes, your treatment program, and how to take care of yourself.
 

The list is provided in alphabetical order to make it easy for you to use. Words that appear in a definition are in bold italics if they also have their own entry.
Click on any of the letters below to see the list of diabetes-related words/terms.
 

A — M N — Z

A — M

Blood glucose/blood sugar levels

The terms "blood glucose levels" and "blood sugar levels" mean the same thing and either one can be used to describe the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The term "plasma glucose" is also used. You and your healthcare team will set goals for your blood glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association suggests general goals of 90 to 130 mg/dL before meals, with a peak after-meal goal of < 180 mg/dL. Ask your health professional about your target goals for after meals.
 

Blood glucose meter1

A blood glucose meter is a hand-held device that tests the level of glucose in blood. A finger, leg, or arm is pricked, and a drop of blood is placed on a test strip. The meter “reads” and displays the amount of glucose in the blood at that time.
 

Blood glucose testing

Diagnosing diabetes—Fasting plasma glucose test1

SMBG

Fasting blood glucose

Non-fasting (random blood glucose)

Glycated hemoglobin test (A1C)
 

Diagnosing diabetes—Fasting plasma glucose test

A fasting plasma glucose test is generally used to diagnose diabetes. You will be asked not to eat for 8 to 10 hours, and then blood is collected from a vein during your visit. The amount of glucose in your blood will be measured. If the reading is 126 mg/dL or more, the health professional will suspect diabetes and repeat the test in a few days. If the reading is still 126 mg/dL or more, the health professional will diagnose diabetes.
 

Fasting blood glucose

A blood glucose test is called a fasting test when you or your health professional check your blood glucose first thing in the morning after an overnight "fast." Usually this means at least 8 hours without food or beverages that have calories. The fasting blood glucose level goal set by the American Diabetes Association is 90 to 130 mg/dL.
 

Glucose

Glucose is a simple form of sugar. The food you eat is broken down in the digestive system and produces glucose. Glucose is also made by your liver when you are not eating. Glucose is carried through the blood to cells where it is used to help the body work normally. The amount of glucose in the blood is called the "blood sugar" or "blood glucose" level.
 

Glycated hemoglobin test (A1C)

The glycated hemoglobin test (A1C) gives you and your healthcare team information about your average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months. This test should be repeated every 3 to 6 months. A1C measures the amount of glucose that is attached to your red blood cells. The percentage of glucose that attaches to these cells increases when blood glucose levels have been high. People without diabetes have a reading of about 5%. People with diabetes should aim for a goal of <7%.
 

Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)

When blood glucose levels are too high, the condition is called hyperglycemia. The symptoms of hyperglycemia include frequent urination, increased thirst, and unexplained weight loss.
 

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

When blood glucose levels drop too low (generally below 70 to 80 mg/dL), the condition is called hypoglycemia or insulin reaction. Hypoglycemia can occur when you take a medication that increases insulin levels in the blood. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness or dizziness, numbness in the arms and hands, mental confusion, and moodiness. If untreated, hypoglycemia can become severe and cause unconsciousness.


 

Impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes

In some people, blood glucose levels fall between normal levels and diabetic levels. People with this condition are at increased risk for developing diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance is also called "pre-diabetes."
 

Insulin

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, is a hormone that helps the body use and store glucose. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells to help them work normally. It also helps store the glucose not needed right away in body tissues. Glucose stored in the liver and muscles is called "glycogen."
 

Insulin deficiency

When the body cannot produce the amount of insulin needed to keep glucose in the target range, the condition is called insulin deficiency.
 

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is a condition that occurs when insulin is available, but cells do not respond to the insulin's action.
 

Insulin therapy

Insulin therapy is needed when the body cannot make enough insulin. In addition to healthy eating and physical activity, 12% of adults with diabetes take both insulin and oral medications.
 

N — Z

Non-fasting (random blood glucose)

Blood glucose tests can be done at various times of the day, including before meals or snacks, 1 to 2 hours after eating, before bedtime, or when you suspect your blood glucose level may be high or low. Because everyone is different, you should talk with your health professional about your goal levels or take action levels for each of these times.
 

Oral diabetes medicines

If healthy eating and physical activity do not lower blood glucose levels to the target range in people with type 2 diabetes, the health professional will prescribe an oral diabetes medicine—a medicine taken by mouth. Oral diabetes medicines help lower blood glucose levels. Different oral diabetes medicines work in different ways to lower the levels, so several oral medicines may be prescribed for the same person. Healthy eating and physical activity plans are continued no matter what medicines are prescribed.
 

SMBG

The abbreviation SMBG stands for Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose. Self-monitoring your blood glucose levels keeps you in touch with day-to-day blood glucose changes. This knowledge helps you and your healthcare team know how healthy eating, physical activity, and medications, if prescribed, are affecting your blood glucose levels and guides changes in therapy to help improve and control these levels.

 

Appendix -1-

BMI Calculator

An important part of staying well with diabetes is maintaining a healthy body weight. Your BMI (body mass index) is a figure that can give you a good idea of where you stand. Experts agree that when it comes to evaluating your weight, BMI can be more helpful than simply knowing your weight. That’s because BMI takes your height into account and gives you a realistic picture of how much of your body is made up of fat.
 

Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Your BMI is determined with a simple mathematical calculation that takes your height and weight and other factors into account. But you don’t have to know the formula to find out your BMI.