Vocabulary Lesson

Awhile back I would post "word of the day" on Trey's Facebook page.  The diabetes lingo can get confusing.  I was trying to make a file where it would be saved, but no luck.  So I thought I would make a post here ... you can come here and look up words whenever. 

504 - A plan developed to meet the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Section 504, applicable to all public and private schools that receive federal funds, allows for different accommodations to be agreed upon to meet the special needs of a student with diabetes.

HEMOGLOBIN A1C - Glycated hemoglobin (red blood cells with glucose attached). Normal levels of glucose produce a normal amount of glycated hemoglobin. As the average amount of plasma (blood) glucose increases, the glycated hemoglobin increases in a predictable way. This serves as a marker for average blood glucose levels over the previous three months before the measurement as this is the lifespan of red blood cells.

A1C TEST - A test that shows the average amount of sugar in the blood for the past 2 to 3 months. This test helps your doctor to see if your average blood sugar is where it needs to be. A1C tests may also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment(s) recommended and make adjustment(s) to treatment(s).

ALPHA CELL - A type of cell in the pancreas. Alpha cells make and release a hormone called glucagon. The body sends a signal to the alpha cells to make glucagon when blood glucose falls too low. Then glucagon reaches the liver where it tells the liver to release glucose into the blood for energy.

AMYLIN - A hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells that is co‐created with insulin and works synergistically with insulin to lower blood sugar level. Amylin plays a role in glycemic regulation by slowing gastric emptying and promoting satiety, thereby preventing post‐prandial spikes in blood glucose level.

ANTIBODIES - Proteins made by the body to protect itself from foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses. People get type 1 diabetes when their bodies make antibodies that destroy the body’s own insulin-making beta cells.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE - An autoimmune disease is a condition arising from an abnormal internal response to a normal body part.

BAD SITE - The most common problem that occurs with pump use is a bad infusion site. The infusion site is where the very thin Teflon, stainless steel, or plastic cannula, that delivers the insulin to the tissue just under the skin, is inserted.

BASAL INSULIN - The amount of insulin that is needed to maintain stable blood glucose levels in between meals and overnight. Also referred to as Background Insulin.

BASAL RATE/DELIVERY - The rate at which a continuous, low level of insulin is delivered.

BETA CELL - A cell that makes insulin. Beta cells are located in the Islets of Langerhans which are irregularly shaped patches of endocrine tissue located within the pancreas

BLEEDER - A finger that continues bleeding after a blood glucose test. Also used when an insulin needle or pump infusion site is pulled out and causes excessive bleeding. Also applicable to a CGM sensor site that shows blood under the sensor.

BLOOD GLUCOSE METER (glucometer) - A medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood.

BOLUS - A bolus dose is insulin that is specifically taken at meal times to keep blood glucose levels under control following a meal. Bolus insulin needs to act quickly therefore short acting insulin or rapid acting insulin will be used.

CANNULA - Part of an infusion set. A tube inserted into the body with the purpose to either deliver or remove fluid.

CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator. 

CGM - Continuous Glucose Monitor

COMPRESSION LOW - A low reading on the continuous glucose monitor receiver due to pressure applied to the sensor/transmitter site, this typically occurs during sleep and is not an indicator of a true low blood sugar.

CORRECTION - An additional amount of insulin delivered to counteract a high blood glucose reading. Can be done in conjunction with meal bolus or independently.

CORRECTION FACTOR/RATIO - A Correction Factor (sometimes called insulin sensitivity ratio), is how much 1 unit of rapid acting insulin will generally lower your blood glucose over 2 to 4 hours when you are in a fasting or pre-meal state.

C-PEPTIDE - A substance the pancreas releases into the bloodstream in equal amounts to insulin.

C-PEPTIDE TEST -  test that shows how much insulin the body is making by measuring C-peptide levels.

DAWN PHENOMENON - The dawn phenomenon, also called the dawn effect, is the term used to describe an abnormal early-morning increase in blood sugar (glucose) — usually between 2 and 8 a.m. Dawn Phenomenon occurs when hormones (including cortisol, glucagon, epinephrine) are released by the body, causing the liver to release glucose.

D-BAG - Diabetes supply bag that goes with you everywhere.

DEX - Short for Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system.

DIAVERSARY - Anniversary of the day a person was diagnosed with diabetes, celebrating living a full and wonderful life despite the diagnosis. A celebration of life.

DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) - An emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor and rapid breathing. 

DOSING - Incremental increase in insulin dosage to a level that provides the optima effect.

DUAL WAVE BOLUS - Insulin delivery option on some insulin pumps. A Dual Wave bolus delivers a combination of an immediate normal bolus followed by a Square Wave bolus. The Dual Wave bolus should be used for high fat, high carbohydrate meals.Whenever we eat foods higher in fat, it takes our bodies longer to digest those foods. Therefore, we do not need to take the bolus all at once, but to spread the bolus out over time to mimic normal pancreatic function and match the time that it is taking our bodies to digest the food. 

DX / DXD - Diagnosis / Diagnosed.

ENDO - A pediatric endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with diseases of the endocrine system, such as Type 1 Diabetes and growth disorders.

EXTENDED BOLUS - Insulin Delivery option on some insulin pumps. The bolus is delivered in small quantities over an extended, chosen period of time. Depending on the insulin pump, this type is called delayed or extended bolus or sometimes also referred to as the "pizza" bolus

FAST ACTING GLUCOSE - A form of carbohydrate that will raise blood glucose levels quickly. The term “fast-acting carbohydrate” is generally used in discussions of treating hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. (juice, smarties, skittles)

GENTEEL - The Genteel® Lancet Device uses it’s Butterfly Touch Technology® to get the perfect drop of test blood with reduced pain and discomfort.

GRIF GRIP - Adhesive patches that will help secure your devices from impacts that would normally disengage the device.

GLUCAGON - A hormone formed in the pancreas that promotes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver which stimulates an increase in blood sugar levels, thus opposing the action of insulin; a polypeptide hormone, produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that stimulates the release of glucose into the blood. 

GLUCAGON EMERGENCY KIT - Glucagon rescue is the emergency injection of glucagon in case of severe diabetic hypoglycemia. It is needed during seizures and/or unconsciousness by an insulin user who is unable. at that point, to help themselves. Glucagon will facilitate the release of stored glucose back into the bloodstream, raising the blood glucose level.

GLYCEMIC INDEX - A system that ranks foods on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood-sugar levels.

GLYCOGEN STORES - Glycogen, the major reservoir of carbohydrate in the body, is comprised of long chain polymers of glucose molecules. The body stores approximately 450-550 grams of glycogen within the muscle and liver for energy during exercise.

HONEYMOON (HONEYMOON PERIOD) - The honeymoon period usually occurs after the child/young adult/adult is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and has begun insulin treatment. After several weeks to several months (the time is variable), the person with diabetes starts to produce his/her own insulin (endogenous insulin) secondary to some recovery of pancreatic islet cells. Honeymoon periods can last from two weeks up to 2 to 3 years. It is different for each individual. Sometimes, if the diabetes diagnosis is determined extremely early (with less destruction of beta cells), the honeymoon period can last even longer. NOTE: Some people may never experience a Honeymoon Period. 

HYPERGLYCEMIA - A condition in which the blood contains an abnormally high level of glucose.

HYPOGLYCEMIA - Too low a level of glucose n the blood. This can when there is too much insulin ingested or injected with too little food.

I:C - Insulin to Carbohydrate ratio. The insulin to carbohydrate ratio indicates how many carbohydrates one unit of insulin will provide coverage for.

INFUSION SET - The combination of thin plastic tubing and a stainless steel needle, Teflon, or plastic cannula used with an insulin pump.

INSULIN PUMP - An insulin pump is a medical device used for the administration of insulin in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. The device configuration may vary depending on design.

(ISF) INSULIN SENSITIVITY FACTOR - The amount of blood sugar measured in mg/dL that is lowered by one-unit of rapid-acting or regular insulin. This is used to calculate the amount of insulin a person with diabetes needs to return blood sugar to within the targeted blood sugar range.

IOB - Insulin on Board, also referred to as Bolus on Board or Active Insulin, tells how many units of rapid insulin are still working in the body. This helps in deciding whether more insulin or more carbohydrate is needed.

ISLET CELL AUTOANTIBODIES - Proteins found in the blood of people newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. They are also found in people who may be developing Type 1 diabetes. The presence of ICA indicates that the body's immune system has been damaging beta cells in the pancreas.

ISLET CELLS - Groups of cells located in the pancreas that make hormones that help the body break down and use food. For example, alpha cells make glucagon and beta cells make insulin. Also called Islets of Langerhans (LANG-er-hahns).

IV PREP - IV Prep Antiseptic Wipes by Smith & Nephew. An antiseptic and adhesive wipe for preparation of the skin prior to an pump or CGM insertion.

KETONES - The human body normally runs on glucose that's produced when the body breaks down carbohydrates. But when your body doesn't have enough glucose or insulin to use the glucose, your body starts breaking down fats for energy. Ketones are byproducts of this breakdown. ... Ketones can make your blood acidic.

LANCET - A spring-loaded device used to prick the skin with a small needle to obtain a drop of blood for blood glucose testing.

LIPOHYPERTROPHY - An overgrowth of fatty tissue caused by not changing infusion sites.

LIVER DUMP - The liver is like your own personal EMT; when it senses that your blood sugar is too low, it "dumps" some glycogen into your system to raise the blood sugar levels.

MDI - Multiple Daily Injections.

MINI GLUC - Mini-dose glucagon rescue, using subcutaneous injections, is effective in managing type 1 diabetes during episodes of impending hypoglycemia due to gastroenteritis or poor oral intake of carbohydrate. Mini Gluc uses a smaller amount of the glucagon rescue. 

MOD - Mother of a T1 Diabetic

MODUCATE - To correct someone's misconception or enlighten someone about T1D based on your gained knowledge as a MOD.

PDM - Personal Diabetes Manager, specifically the device used to operate the OmniPod insulin delivery system. https://www.myomnipod.com/

POD - Wearable tubeless insulin delivery system developed my Insulet Corporation. The pod is half of the OmniPod insulin delivery system. The pod is controlled by the PDM.

POKER - Another name for a Lancet device which is used to prick the skin with a small needle to obtain a drop of blood for blood glucose monitoring.

PRE-BOLUS - Delivering an insulin bolus prior to a meal.

RECEIVER - The potion of a continuous glucose monitoring system that receives data from the transmitter that is connected to the sensor worn by the T1D via Bluetooth. The receiver displays glucose levels and trends. It is the size and weight of a cell phone.

SENSOR - The sensor is a flexible round electrode wire that goes just under the skin to read glucose levels in tissue fluid. It attaches to the skin with an adhesive patch.

SPIKE - A rapid rise in blood sugar level.

SQUARE WAVE BOLUS - Square Wave bolus delivers a bolus evenly over a period of time (20 minutes to 8 hours). This bolus can be used for insulin delivery when you have eaten a long meal with extended snacking. It can also be useful if you have delayed food digestion due to gastroparesis or meals high in fat.

SUGAR SURFING - A method of blood sugar management that depends of frequent user input and data analysis to minimize roller coaster blood sugars and stay in the target range. 

SWAG - Scientific Wild Ass Guess. This term means that you are using logic, experience and guessing to figure out the amount of carbs in a meal so that you can take a wild guess at the amount of insulin to give.

TRANSMITTER - The transmitter is a little device that snaps into the sensor patch of the CGM; it sends information via wireless radio frequency to the receiver every 5 minutes.

UNICORN - Just like the mythical magical creature, a perfect 100 on the meter is referred to as a unicorn.Another type of unicorn can happen when the meter and the CGM display the same number.


There you have it!  Reference it often