Diabetes-Related Defintions (A-Z)

Dictionary Defintions of diabetes-related terms from A to Z adapted from the American Diabetes Association and the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

gangrene (GANG-green): the death of body tissue, most often caused by a lack of blood flow and infection. It can lead to amputation.

gastroparesis (gas-tro-puh-REE-sis): a form of neuropathy that affects the stomach. Digestion of food may be incomplete or delayed, resulting in nausea, vomiting, or bloating, making blood glucose control difficult.

gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (jes-TAY-shun-ul MELL-ih-tus): a type of diabetes mellitus that develops only during pregnancy and usually disappears upon delivery, but increases the risk that the mother will develop diabetes later. GDM is managed with meal planning, activity, and, in some cases, insulin.

gingivitis (JIN-jih-VY-tis): a condition of the gums characterized by inflammation and bleeding.

gland : a group of cells that secrete substances. Endocrine glands secrete hormones. Exocrine glands secrete salt, enzymes and water.

glargine insulin (GLAR-jeen): very-long-acting insulin. On average, glargine insulin starts to lower blood glucose levels within 1 hour after injection and keeps working evenly for 24 hours after injection.

glaucoma (glaw-KOH-muh): an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that may lead to loss of vision.

glimepiride (gly-MEH-per-ide): an oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas. (Brand name: Amaryl)

glipizide (GLIH-pih-zide): an oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas. (Brand names: Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL)

glomerular filtration rate (glo-MEHR-yoo-lur): measure of the kidney's ability to filter and remove waste products.

glomerulus (glo-MEHR-yoo-lus): a tiny set of looping blood vessels in the kidney where the blood is filtered and waste products are removed.

glucagon (GLOO-kah-gahn): a hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas. It raises blood glucose. An injectable form of glucagon, available by prescription, may be used to treat severe hypoglycemia.

glucose : one of the simplest forms of sugar.

glucose tablets : chewable tablets made of pure glucose used for treating hypoglycemia.

Glucovance : an oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of glyburide and metformin.

glyburide (GLY-buh-ride): an oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose by helping the pancreas make more insulin and by helping the body better use the insulin it makes. Belongs to the class of medicines called sulfonylureas. (Brand names: DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase; ingredient in Glucovance)

glycemic index (gly-SEE-mik): a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods, based on the food's effect on blood glucose compared with a standard reference food.

glycogen (GLY-koh-jen): the form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.

glycosuria (gly-koh-SOOR-ee-ah): the presence of glucose in the urine.

gram : a unit of weight in the metric system. An ounce equals 28 grams. In some meal plans for people with diabetes, the suggested amounts of food are given in grams.