Dictionary

diagnosis, differential See differential diagnosis.

diagnosis Knowledge of the nature of a disease. A patient who speaks of “getting a diagnosis” means learning the medical name for the ailment and gaining an understanding of the condition. Abbreviated dx and Dx. See also differential diagnosis.

diachronic study See longitudinal study.

diachronic Over a period of time. The opposite of synchronic.

diabulimia The practice of minimizing one’s insulin dosages by patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in an attempt to control body weight. Since insulin encourages fat storage, sometimes patients attempt to manipulate their insulin, often skipping doses, in an attempt to reduce weight gain. The term does not refer to a recognized medical condition but…

diabetic shock Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) due to excessive use of insulin or other glucose-lowering medications to lower the blood sugar level in diabetic patients. Symptoms include a sweet, chemical odor on the patient’s breath that is similar to that of acetone or alcohol (acetone breath); fatigue, lightheadedness, or fainting; and reddening of the skin…

diabetic retinopathy Disease of the retina caused by diabetes that involves damage to the tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye. Early disease may not cause symptoms. As the disease progresses, it enters its advanced, or proliferative, stage. Fragile, new blood vessels grow along the retina and in the clear, gel-like vitreous that…

diabetic neuropathy Nerve damage caused by diabetes that leads to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Diabetic neuropathy can affect the digestive tract, heart, and genitalia. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of neuropathy. There are four types of diabetic neuropathy: peripheral, autonomic, proximal,…

diabetic nephropathy Kidney disease from longstanding diabetes. Diabetes affects the tiny blood vessels in the glomerulus, a key structure in the kidney composed of capillary blood vessels. This structure is critical for blood filtration. Features of diabetic nephropathy include nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by excessive protein in the urine, high blood pressure, and progressively…

diabetic dermopathy A skin condition characteristic of diabetes featuring light brown, reddish oval, or round scaly patches, most often on the shins or front of the thighs and less often on the scalp, forearm, and trunk. The cause of diabetic dermopathy is thought to be a type of inflammation affecting tiny blood vessels in the…

diabetic coma Deep unconsciousness that results from uncontrolled diabetes associated with ketones in the bloodstream. The best treatment is prevention. Careful diet, medication, and insulin dosing, as needed, should prevent ketone buildup. Patients with diabetes and their family members should be aware of the early signs of ketone buildup, including weight loss, nausea, confusion, gasping…

diabetes mellitus A chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood and urine. Absence of, insufficient production of, or autoimmune resistance to the pancreatic hormone insulin causes diabetes. Insulin provides the body with a natural method for oxidizing glucose to provide energy; without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the…