Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Chicana and Chicano StudiesLatino Health Issues

Glossary of Terms

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DIABETES AND LATINOS

EYE ANATOMY

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

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  • Corticosteroids-potent, anti-inflammatory hormones that are made naturally in the body or synthetically for use as drugs; most commonly prescribed drug of this type is prednisone.
  • Gestational Diabetes- Diabetes that develops during pregnancy because of improper regulation of blood sugar. It usually goes away after delivery, but can increase the woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
  • Glucose- Simple sugar; the form in which all carbohydrates are used as the body's principal energy source; transported in the blood and metabolized in the tissues.
  • Impaired Glucose Tolerance- A condition associated with excessive elevation in blood sugar after a meal but not meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes. Blood sugar is between 101 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and 125 mg/dL. Also called borderline diabetes and pre-diabetes.
  • Insulin- A hormone made by the islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood by moving it into the cells, where it can be used by the body for energy.
  • Insulin Resistance- A condition in which the cells no longer respond well to insulin. As a result, the body secretes more insulin into the bloodstream in an effort to reduce blood glucose levels.
  • Hyperinsulinemia- The excess production of insulin. This is usually a consequence of insulin resistance in which the cells do not respond to insulin to reduce blood glucose levels.
  • Type 2 Diabetes- Insulin is present but doesn't work adequately. Usually occurs over the age of 30 and is controlled by diet and medication or diet and insulin. Also known as non insulin dependent and maturity onset diabetes.

 

Accessibility | Privacy | ASU Disclaimer This site was created by Theresa Herro in fulfillment of requirements for the course CSS 335: Latino Health Issues taught by Dr. Szkupinski Quiroga at Arizona State University, Spring 2006.