You or someone in your family may have been recently diagnosed with diabetes and now find that you have to become familiar with terms you never gave much thought to before. Below are listed some of the most popular terms you need to know so you can understand how to control or even reverse diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes - The most common form of diabetes which is caused by two basic factors: 1) the body's cells are unable to absorb glucose causing the glucose to stay in the blood and 2) The pancreas, the organ responsible for producing insulin, may not be producing an adequate amount, and the insulin it produces may not work properly. The result is diabetes 2 or onset adult diabetes. Diabetes can cause serious complications throughout the body, such as, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney and eye disease as well as nerve damage.
Glucose - Also known as blood sugar, is the body's main source of energy. It is designed to circulate through the blood stream; however, when it accumulates in the blood, the blood becomes thicker and thus harder to flow. This deprives the body of nutrients and oxygen, prevents while blood cells from being able to fight infections, and makes it possible for the blood to clot more easily. Glucose attaches to proteins throughout the body and affects their function.
Fasting blood glucose: The glucose or blood sugar reading after a fasting period of 10 to 12 hours. What is considered normal may vary by health care provider. Some health care professionals consider a normal reading to be 110 or lower. My doctor considers 100 or lower to be normal. Diabetes is diagnosed at 126 or higher. Others say 125 or higher.
Hemoglobin A1C: This test is usually evaluated by a laboratory and indicates what the average blood sugar levels have been over a period of 3 or more months. This test also measures how much glucose has become attached to the protein hemoglobin containing the red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood stream. The results are given as a percentage from 4 to 13. Again standards differ as The American Diabetes Association recommends that A1C levels should be kept below 7, while the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends keeping it under 6.5. It's important to know what standard your health care provider uses.
Insulin: This is a hormone produced by the pancreas and acts to unlock the body's cells so that glucose can enter. It also regulates the production of glucose by the liver. In type 2 diabetes the body demands more insulin than the pancreas can produce. Insulin is also a hormone that is injected into the body to supplement the shortfall produced by the pancreas and regulate the body.
Resistance to Insulin (or Insulin Resistance): This is when the cells and thus muscles become less responsive to insulin. The hormone, insulin, is usually administered by injection to boost the cells' sensitivity to insulin so that it has a greater effect.
Pancreas: The pancreas is an organ located behind the lower part of the stomach that produces enzymes and digestive juices. It also produces and secretes insulin and glucagon.
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