Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Beta cells
Beta cell stimulants
Biguanide agents
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Gestational diabetes
Glucose
Hemoglobin A1c
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Insulin
Insulin resistance
Insulin shock
Neuropathy
Nephropathy
Pancreas
Retinopathy
Sulfonylurea
Thiazolidinediones
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes

 
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors — Type 2 diabetes medicines that treat diabetes by slowing down the absorption of sugars from the intestine.
 
Beta cells — Cells that release insulin; found in the pancreas.
 
Beta cell stimulants — Type 2 diabetes medicines that make beta cells secrete more insulin.
 
Biguanide agents (bi-GWAN-id) — Type 2 diabetes medicines that lower the liver’s production of blood sugar and lower insulin resistance.
 
Diabetic ketoacidosis (key-toe-ass-ih-DOH-sis) — When blood sugar level in a person with diabetes is high enough to threaten life and require emergency treatment. It happens when there is no insulin to provide sugar to cells. As a result, acid builds up in blood.
 
Gestational diabetes — High blood sugar level diagnosed during pregnancy. The condition usually goes away after delivery.
 
Glucose — A simple sugar found in the blood that is the body’s main source of energy.
 
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test — Blood test to find the blood sugar level a person has averaged over a 2- to 3-month period.
 
Hyperglycemia (hy-per-gly-SEE-mee-uh) — High blood sugar.
 
Hypoglycemia (hy-po-gly-SEE-mee-uh) — Low blood sugar.
 
Insulin — Natural hormone that helps the body’s cells use blood sugar for energy.
 
Insulin resistance — A leading cause of type 2 diabetes. It develops when the body does not respond to insulin as it should.
 
Insulin shock — A severe condition that occurs when the blood sugar level drops quickly.
 
Neuropathy (ne-ROP-uh-thee) — Damage to the nerves of a person with diabetes. A risk factor for the disease is uncontrolled high blood sugars.
 
Nephropathy (neh-FROP-uh-thee) — Kidney damage caused by high blood pressure or diabetes, diagnosed when protein is found in the urine.
 
Pancreas< (PAN-kree-us) — A large gland behind the stomach that makes and secretes insulin.
 
Retinopathy (REH-tih-NOP-uh-thee) — Damage to the small blood vessels in the retina (back of the eye).
 
Sulfonylurea agents (sul-fo-nil-yu-REE-ah) — Type 2 diabetes medicines that make beta cells secrete more insulin.
 
Thiazolidinediones — Type 2 diabetes medicines that lower insulin resistance in muscle and tissue.
 
Type 1 diabetes — In this type of diabetes, the body does not make insulin. The immune system mistakenly attacks the cells that make and release insulin. As these cells die, high sugar levels build up in the blood. Type 1 diabetes often affects children, but adults can develop it, too.
 
Type 2 diabetes — The most common form of diabetes. It accounts for 90% to 95% of diabetes cases. In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance) or the body does not produce enough insulin. Over time, high sugar levels build up in the bloodstream, resulting in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.