- basal insulin dosing
- an important component in diabetes management because it acts as a background insulin that is designed to stabilize blood glucose levels during times of fasting
- bolus
- a single dose of a drug being administered
- continuous glucose monitor
- a device that monitors blood glucose levels on a continual basis
- diabetes
- a disease that results from a deficiency in insulin that leads to alterations in the metabolism of glucose, fats, and proteins
- fasting blood glucose
- a test that measures the blood sugar level after an overnight fasting period
- glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c)
- a test that measures the blood sugar level over the past 60 to 90 days
- hyperglycemia
- a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level in the body is above the normal range of 70–110 mg/dL and the body has too little insulin or is insulin resistant, making it unable to lower the blood glucose level on its own
- hypoglycemia
- a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level in the body falls below the normal range of 70–110 mg/dL
- insulin
- a hormone released by β cells from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas after eating a meal that helps the body’s cells absorb glucose for energy
- insulin pen
- a pen-shaped injector device that combines insulin and a syringe in one unit; insulin pens are prefilled with an insulin cartridge or have a prefilled insulin reservoir
- insulin pump
- a small, computerized infusion set device that delivers insulin
- ketoacidosis
- a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body breaks down fat too quickly, causing the liver to produce ketones, which in turn causes the blood to become acidic
- non-insulin injectable diabetes drugs
- drugs that provide an alternative to insulin therapy for those with type 2 diabetes; they act on hormones that are secreted along with insulin by the pancreas to control glucose homeostasis
- oral diabetes drugs
- drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels
- peak time
- the time during which insulin is at its maximum strength in terms of lowering blood glucose levels; individuals are at a higher risk of developing hypoglycemic symptoms when insulin is peaking
- pheochromocytoma
- a rare non-cancerous tumor that develops in the adrenal gland that causes an excessive release of adrenal hormones
- polydipsia
- increased thirst
- polyphagia
- increased hunger
- polyuria
- frequent urination
- random blood glucose
- a test that measures the blood sugar level at the time tested
- sliding scale coverage
- varying the dose of insulin based on the blood glucose level
- subcutaneous
- situated or applied under the skin
- titrated
- continuously measuring and adjusting the balance of a drug dosage
- type 1 diabetes
- an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the β cells in the pancreas that make insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels
- type 2 diabetes
- a disorder that occurs as a result of the body not making enough insulin or not using insulin well