dietary supplement A substance that can be added to the diet, usually in pill, liquid, or powder form, ostensibly to promote health. Dietary supplements range from natural weight-gain concoctions used by body-builders, to joint pain relievers, vitamins, herbs, minerals, and salts that claim health benefits. Many dietary supplements are harmless when taken as directed, and…
diabetes, insulin-resistant Type 2 diabetes. See also diabetes, type 2.
diabetes, labile Type 1 diabetes that is untreated, poorly controlled, or resistant to treatment so that the blood glucose level tends to swing quickly and widely up and down. Also known as brittle diabetes and unstable diabetes. See also diabetes, type 1.
diabetes, non-insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. See also diabetes, type 2.
diabetes, type 1 A chronic condition in which the pancreas makes too little insulin (or no insulin) because the beta cells in the pancreas have been destroyed by the immune system. The body is then not able to effectively use blood glucose (sugar) for energy. The disease tends to occur in childhood, adolescence, or early…
diabetes, type 2 A form of diabetes mellitus in which patients can still produce insulin, but do so relatively inadequately. Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs mostly in individuals over 30 years old and the incidence increases with age. While there is a strong genetic component to developing this form of diabetes, there are other risk…
diabetes, unstable See diabetes, labile.
Diabetes Association, American See ADA.
diabetes diet Dietary control that is the primary method for treating all forms of diabetes. The goal is to minimize the chance of overloading the body with the sugar glucose. Patients with diabetes benefit from eating carefully controlled amounts and types of food at regular intervals throughout the day, rather than at two or three…
diabetes insipidus A metabolic disorder that mimics symptoms of diabetes mellitus, including increased output of urine and increased thirst. It is caused by a malfunction in the pituitary gland, and can be treated by administering vasopressin, a pituitary hormone. There are two types of diabetes insipidus, central and nephrogenic. Central diabetes insipidus is a lack…
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…
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…