Blossary – Diabetes

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Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma.Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers and damage to the eyes. As of 2014, an estimated 387 million people have diabetes worldwide, with type 2 diabetes making up about 90% of the cases. This is equal to 8.3% of the adult population, with equal rates in both women and men. In the years 2012 to 2014, diabetes is estimated to have resulted in 1.5 to 4.9 million deaths per year. Diabetes at least doubles the risk of death. The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035. The global economic cost of diabetes in 2014 was estimated to be $612 billion USD. In the United States, diabetes cost $245 billion in 2012.

Category: Health

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Created by: tim.zhaotianqi

Number of Blossarys: 40

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A1C

The A1C test measures a person's average level of blood glucose during the prior 2-3 months. Hemoglobin is the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen to the cells and also combines with ...

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

an emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood ...

impaired fasting glucose (IFG)

a condition in which a blood glucose test, taken after an 8- to 12-hour fast, shows a level of glucose higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IFG, also called ...

human leukocyte antigens (HLA)

proteins located on the surface of the cell that help the immune system identify the cell either as one belonging to the body or as one from outside the body. Some patterns of these proteins may mean ...

fructosamine test

measures the number of blood glucose molecules (MAH-leh-kyools) linked to protein molecules in the blood. The test provides information on the average blood glucose level for the past 3 weeks. - See ...

Endocrine gland

Is a group of specialized cells that release hormones into the blood. For example, the pancreatic islets, which secrete insulin, are endocrine glands. For more information: http://www.diabetes.org/dia ...

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)

a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, conducted from 1983 to 1993 in people with Type 1 diabetes. The study showed that intensive therapy compared to ...