When you or someone you know is diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll come across new vocabulary and expressions that can be challenging to comprehend.  

Here’s a quick guide to what all the diabetes mumbo jumbo means: 

Glucose: It is a type of sugar you get from foods you eat, and your body uses it for energy. 

Insulin: It is a hormone that moves glucose from your blood into the cells for energy and storage. 

Insulin resistance: When the body’s cells do not respond well to insulin and can’t take up glucose from your blood easily. 

Pancreas: It is an organ that produces enzymes and hormones that help you digest food. One of these hormones- insulin, is needed to regulate glucose. 

Hypoglycemia: Condition where the blood sugar level is lower than the standard range. 

Hyperglycemia: Condition where the blood sugar level is higher than the standard range. 

When there is too much glucose in the blood, you have hyperglycemia. 

HbA1c/A1c: A hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test is a blood test that shows what your average blood sugar (glucose) level was over the past two to three months. 

Ketones:  Molecules produced from the breakdown of fats in the liver. Normally, blood glucose (sugar) is used for energy. But, when cells can’t get enough glucose, the body breaks down fat for energy instead.  

Ketoacidosis/Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): This refers to the accumulation of excess acids—”ketone bodies”—in the blood which, thereby, becomes too acidic. 

BGM: A Blood Glucose Meter is a small, portable machine that’s used to measure blood glucose at a single moment in time. 

CGM: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems continually check glucose levels throughout the day and night and can alert you if your glucose levels go too high or too low. 

FBS: Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) is a test that measures the amount of sugar in your blood. Fasting means you have not had food or drink for at least 8 hours. 

PPBS: Post-Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) is a test that measures the level of blood glucose precisely 2 hours after you start eating a meal. 

Glaucoma: It is a condition caused due to increased pressure within the eyeball, resulting in gradual loss of vision. 

Neuropathy: Peripheral nerve injury, illness, or malfunction that may result in weakness or numbness. 

Retinopathy: A condition that affects the retina of the eye and can lead to vision loss. 

Ulcer: A deep sore or cut in the skin. 

Carbohydrates: Carbs are one of the three primary nutrients present in the foods and beverages we consume. It is the body’s primary source of energy.  

There are two types of carbs – simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. 

Simple carbs:  They are made up of sugars that are easily digested. Simple carbs may raise blood glucose levels almost instantly. 

Complex carbs: As complex carbs are nutrient-dense, it takes longer for the body to digest. They help you feel full for longer and don’t induce blood sugar spikes. 

Glycemic Index: It is a scale that measures food depending on how rapidly it will raise a person’s blood sugar levels after consumption. Foods having a high glycemic index (GI) can raise blood sugar levels dangerously in diabetics. 

We do hope this blog helps!