Dictionary/diabetes

Dictionary diabetes.

On this occasion I want to share some words that are commonly used when you have diabetes:

Beta cells: Specialized cells that make and release insulin hormone found in the pancreas.

Insulin: Hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas, which is the main regulator of the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

Blood Glucose: Main Sugar (fuel source) of the body. The glucose is transported through the bloodstream to provide energy to all body cells.

Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia: Excessive amount of blood sugar.

Glucometer: Measuring instrument used to see quickly and instantaneously the amount of glucose in the blood.

Logbook: Notebook mainly used to record the quantities of sugar in the blood.

Ketones: Alternative fuels for the body, made from the breakdown of fat to provide energy when there is a shortage of glucose.

Diabetic ketoacidosis: Is a problem that occurs when the body can not use sugar (glucose) for energy, because there is no insulin or insufficient. Instead, the fat for energy is used.

Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetic eye disease that occurs when there are changes in the blood vessels in the retina. Sometimes these vessels may swell and leak fluid or even cover her completely. In other cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.

Diabetic neuropathy: Nerve disorders caused by diabetes. Over time, people with diabetes can develop nerve damage throughout the body.

Diabetic nephropathy: Kidney damage or disease that occurs in people with diabetes, the nephrons thicken and are healed slowly over time. The kidneys begin to leak and protein (albumin) into the urine.

Albumin: A protein found in the blood. When the kidneys are healthy, do not let albumin pass into the urine. When the kidneys do not work well, albumin into the urine. The less albumin in the urine is better.

Diabetic foot: Appears when there are inadequate levels of blood glucose and other factors that come often in people with diabetes that cause damage to the vessels and nerves that can lead to complications in the medium to long term.

Insulin sensitivity: The amount of insulin needed to metabolize one gram of glucose.  

Insulin resistance: Also known as hyperinsulinemia, is a genetically determined metabolic deficiency in the body can not use insulin efficiently, this hormone is not able to properly contact the receptor.

Hemoglobin: A protein that has the function of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, is found in red blood cells and is characterized by being formed of iron.

Glycated hemoglobin: The glucose binds to hemoglobin to form glycosylated hemoglobin A1c or hemoglobin, this union is maintained until the red blood cell is discarded, which occurs in about 120 days. When glucose levels increase, hemoglobin A1c also increases. You must perform a glycosylated hemoglobin test to indicate what has been the average glucose they have had in the last three months.