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Glossary of Terms- Autoimmune Disorder: disease in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues
- BGL: Blood Glucose (often called sugar) Levels
- Blood Fats: cholesterol (both good and bad), triglycerides
- Blood Glucose Levels (BGL): how much glucose is in the blood
- Blood Glucose Test: a test that gives a blood glucose level, which assists in the management of diabetes and prevention of complications
- Blood Test: when a sample of blood is taken and tested
- Blood Vessels: tubes (arteries and veins) that carry blood throughout the body
- Carbohydrates: a part of food which when digested breaks down to form glucose, which goes into the bloodstream. Carbohydrates are found in: rice, potatoes, breads, cereals and legumes, fruit, some vegetables and dairy foods except cheese. There are different amounts in different foods
- Cataract: a clouding of the lens of the eye
- Cholesterol: a form of fat that is needed in the body for production of certain hormones and cell walls. There are two types of cholesterol – good and bad. It can lead to heart disease if the bad type is present in high levels and the good type is present in low levels.
- Detemir: is a new insulin. It is long acting insulin from Novo that will be available on the PBS in Australia in October 2006. This is similar but not identical to Glargine from Aventis
- Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body is unable to use it properly. This happens because there is not enough insulin produced by the body. Sometimes diabetes happens because the insulin produced is not working properly. So the body’s method of converting glucose into energy by using insulin is not working
- Diabetes Educator: a person who helps people to understand and manage their diabetes
- Dietitian: (dietician) a person who helps people to understand their food and their food choices
- Doctor: Medically trained person who has the overall responsibility for the person’s health. They can make referrals to other health professionals. They will routinely test weight & blood pressure, check feet and conduct HbA1c, cholesterol/triglycerides levels and kidneys
- Endocrinologist / Diabetes Specialist: a doctor who specializes in diabetes and its management
- Fats: have the highest kilo joule (Calorie) content of all foods. Eating too much fat can lead to weight gain, poor diabetes control and can increase blood fat levels
- Food diary: a diary, where quantities of food & drink taken are recorded
- GI: short for Glycaemic Index. This is a way of describing different carbohydrates
- Glitazones: a group of medications for type II diabetes available on PBS (free). Ask your doctor to explain about them
- Glucose: Glucose is the body’s main fuel source. The body converts some of the foods eaten into glucose. Glucose has to get into the millions of cells throughout the body. To do this it requires the assistance of insulin. The brain cannot work without glucose.
- HbA1c: an important blood test that helps in the long-term management of diabetes. It averages the blood glucose levels over the three months before the test
- Hypoglycemia: LOW blood glucose level (commonly called a ‘hypo”) occurs when the blood glucose level is lower than 3.5mmol/L. It must be treated immediately
- Severe Hypoglycemia: VERY LOW blood glucose level. The person with diabetes needs assistance by someone else to treat the severe hypo. It must be treated immediately. Many people with diabetes never experience severe Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia: HIGH blood glucose (sometimes called a ‘hyper’) occurs when the blood glucose level goes up too high. The body can’t get the glucose into the cells, so it uses fat for energy. This is a serious condition and medical treatment is required
- Impaired Glucose Tolerance: levels of glucose not normal but not quite high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes
- Injection: the way some medicine is taken. Medicine is given this way when it can’t be given by mouth. It is usually done with a fine needle, which is inserted under the skin. The medicine is then passed into the bloodstream
- Insulin: This is a hormone produced by the pancreas – an organ situated behind your stomach. It lowers glucose levels in the blood. It opens the doors to the cells to let the glucose in
- Insulin resistance: glucose in your body is not being handled efficiently. The body is resisting insulin
- Lancet: a sharp needle to prick the skin for a blood glucose test
- Lantus insulin: a new form of insulin for Type 2 diabetics that will be available on the PBS in Australia in October 2006
- Metformin: medication for type II diabetes available on PBS (free). Ask your doctor to explain about it
- Modeling: giving the learner an opportunity to see how the task is to be done
- Nephropathy: damage to the kidneys
- Neuropathy: damage to parts of the nervous system, such as peripheral neuropathy, can cause numbness to the feet or severe pain and burning to the feet and legs
- Ophthalmoscope: instrument to look into the eyes
- Ophthalmologist: specialist doctor who conducts eye examinations every 12 – 24 months to find any damage caused by having diabetes
- Podiatrist: a person who cares for and treats feet
- Proteins: foods that are needed daily for health. Good protein foods include lean meat, poultry without skin, seafood, eggs (not fried), soy products and pulses (dried beans and lentils)
- Pupil: the dark opening in the centre of the eye. Light passes through the pupil
- Retina: a layer at the back of the eyeball. It is sensitive to light
- Retinopathy: disease of the eye
- Sulphonylureas: a group of medications for type II diabetes available on PBS (free). Ask your doctor to explain about it
- Symptom: something you feel in your body / mind that tells you something is wrong
- Triple Therapy: a combination of three drugs used in type II diabetes. It is usually metformin plus a sulphonylurea plus a glitazone
