Gestational diabetes: High blood sugar that begins or is first detected during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the action of insulin, leading to high blood sugar. Usually, after delivery, blood sugar levels return to normal. However, women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes increases complications during labor and delivery and increases the incidence of complications associated with an oversized fetus.
Type 1 diabetes: a type of diabetes in which the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells, are damaged. people with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, so glucose cannot get into body cells to be used for energy, which causes blood sugar to rise. people with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin to control their blood sugar.
Insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, late-onset diabetes: A term previously used to describe type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes: A type of diabetes in which either not enough insulin is produced or the body responds abnormally to the amount of insulin available, so that glucose in the blood cannot get into body cells to be used for energy. This causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
Adult-onset diabetes: The term used to describe type 2 diabetes is no longer used because this type of diabetes is now common in children as well. The term “non-insulin-dependent diabetes” is also considered an incorrect phrase to describe type 2 diabetes because people with this type of diabetes may need insulin at some point.
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: A term previously used to describe type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus: A reference to type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Brittle diabetes: Very rapid changes in blood glucose levels from high to low and from low to high.
Unstable diabetes: See Fragile diabetes.
Dawn phenomenon: Elevated blood glucose levels in the early morning.
Asymptomatic: No symptoms, no obvious signs indicating the presence of disease.
Irritable thirst: Excessive thirst that lasts for a long time may be a sign of diabetes.
Eating too much: Excessive hunger and eating may be a sign of diabetes. When insulin levels are decreased or insulin resistance is present, body cells do not get enough sugar and starvation occurs. Although people with polyphagia eat more than normal, they usually experience weight loss because excess calories are lost in the urine as sugar (glucose).
Polyuria: Increased need to urinate frequently, a common sign of diabetes.
Somogyi effect: Also known as the “rebound effect,” it occurs when blood sugar rises from very low to very high levels. It usually occurs in the evening and early morning. People with high blood glucose levels in the morning may need to have their blood glucose levels measured in the middle of the night. If there are recurrent hypoglycemia, adding a midnight snack or lowering the dose of insulin is recommended.