Question | Answer |
Acidosis | A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acids in the body. |
Diabetes Mellitus | A metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) is impaired, usually because of a lack of insulin. |
Diabetic coma | Unconsciousness caused by dehydration, very high blood glucose levels, and acidosis in diabetes. |
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) | A form of acidosis in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available. |
Glucose | One of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, along with oxygen, for cellular metabolism. |
Hormone | A chemical substance that regulates the activity of body organs and tissues; produced by a gland. |
Hyperglycemia | Abnormally high glucose level in the blood. |
Hypoglycemia | Abnormally low glucose level in the blood. |
Insulin | A hormone produced by the islets of langerhans (an exocrine gland on the pancreas) that enables glucose in the blood to enter the cells of the body; used in synthetic form to treat and control diabetes mellitus. |
Insulin Shock | Unconsciousness or altered mental status in a patient with diabetes caused by significant hypoglycemia; usually the result of excessive exercises and activity or failure to eat after a routine dose of insulin. |
Kussmaul respirations | Deep, rapid breathing; usually the result of an accumulation of certain acids when insulin is not available. |
Polydispia | Excessive thirst persisting for long periods of time despite reasonable fluid intake; often the result of excessive urination. |
Polyphagia | Excessive eating; in diabetes, the inability to use glucose properly can cause a sense of hunger. |
Polyuria | The passage of an unusually large volume of urine in a given period; in diabetes, this can result from wasting of glucose in the urine. |
Type I Diabetes | The type of diabetic disease that usually starts in childhood and requires insulin for proper treatment and control. |
Type II Diabetes | The type of diabetic disease that usually starts later in life and often can be controlled through diet and oral medications. |