Hyperglycemia (also Hypeglycaemia): Higher than
normal levels of glucose in the blood. Symptoms depend on
how high the blood glucose level is, but they can include thirst,
frequent urination, blurred vision and fatigue.
Hypoglycemia: Lower than normal blood glucose.
Symptoms depend on how low the blood glucose level is and
include sweating, trembling, hunger, dizziness, moodiness,
confusion, headache, blurred vision and nausea.
Hypothyroidism: A disease in which the production
of thyroid hormone is reduced. Symptoms include slow
metabolism, tendency to gain weight and fatigue.
Insulin Pen: An injection device the size of a pen that
includes a needle and holds a vial of insulin. It can be used
instead of a syringe for giving an insulin injection.
Insulin Pump: A portable, battery-operated device that
delivers a specific amount of insulin through a small needle
inserted under the skin. It can be programmed to deliver
constant doses of insulin throughout the day and/or deliver
extra insulin as required. It is also called a continuous
subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).
Insulin Receptors: Areas on the outer walls of a cell that
permit insulin to bind to the cell. When cells and insulin bind
together, the cell is able to take glucose from the bloodstream
and use it for energy.
Insulin Resistance: A condition in which the body’s cells and
tissues do not respond properly to the effects of insulin. It is a
key feature of type 2 diabetes.
Insulin: A hormone produced by the beta cells of the
pancreas that controls the amount of glucose in the blood.
Insulin lowers blood glucose by helping move glucose into the
body’s cells, where it is used as fuel.
Islet Transplantation: Removal of the insulin-producing
beta (islet) cells from a donor pancreas and placement of
the cells into a person with type 1 diabetes. Several centres in
Canada offer islet cell transplants to carefully selected people
with type 1 diabetes. Although initial results are encouraging,
the procedure is still in the research stage, and patients require
lifelong drugs to prevent their bodies from rejecting the
donor cells.
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