Dictionary

A1C: A type of hemoglobin measured in tests to monitor diabetes.
 
acanthosis: Wart-like growths and skin pigmentation seen in adolescents with Type 2 diabetes.
 
ACE inhibitors: A group of medications that treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, by controlling the behavior of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE).
 
addiction: A condition in which an individual is emotionally, mentally and physically compelled to use a substance (either legal or illegal) or perform an activity despite clear evidence of its harmful affects on that person.
 
adipose: Fat or a substance of a fatty nature.
 
adrenaline:A naturally occurring hormone, also known as epinephrine, that is released by the adrenal glands when dangerous or extreme situations occur.
 
alpha blockers: Also called alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, alpha blockers are a family of drugs that treat both high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate. Alpha blockers may be combined with other hypertension medications.
 
alpha cell: Pancreatic cells that produce the hormone glucagons, which signals the liver to release glucose.
 
amphetamines: A class of illegal stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system and tend to release social inhibitions and make the user feel more powerful and competent. Also known as "uppers," amphetamines include Dexedrine, Methedrine and cocaine.
 
anorectics: Also known as anorexigencis or appetite suppressants, anorextics are a type of drug that restrains one’s appetite. Anorectics may be used to treat obesity, but, because the tend to be
 
antidepressants: A class of drugs used to treat cases of depression. Common antidepressants include Prozac® and Wellbutrin®.
 
apnea: A condition marked by a stop or pause in breathing. While some experience apnea while sleeping, this condition is often related to obesity.
 
appetite suppressant: Also known as anorectics, appetite suppressants are a group of drugs meant to repress feelings of hunger so that an individual eats less. Often, appetite suppressants that are amphetamines are unsafe to use as obesity treatments.
 
arterioles: These are the smallest arteries and are the furthest away from the heart. They are important pressure regulators that can adjust and control blood flow as needed through the body's chemical and electrical messaging systems.
 
arteriosclerosis: Often referred to as "hardening of the arteries," this condition reduces the flexibility of arteries, which, in turn, affects how blood flows throughout the body.
 
aspartame: Commonly known as NutraSweet®, aspartame is a calorie-free artificial sweetener that replaces sugar in food products, namely diet or diabetic-friendly foods.
 
autoimmune disease: A disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys body tissue.
 
Ayurveda: Termed by some as a holistic or alternative medicine, this ancient Indian practice involves whole-body therapies to treat illness and disease.
 
bariatric surgery: A weight-loss operation only performed on those with body mass indexes (BMIs) over 40 that focuses on the stomach and/or intestines. Bariatric surgery is generally only used to treat the morbidly obese.
 
behavior modification: The process of teaching a patient new techniques and skills so that he can change his behavior and establish healthier patterns in his life.
 
beta blocker: A drug that is effective in treating high blood pressure, arrhythmias and heart attacks, as well as glaucoma and migraines, by slowing the heart's rate.
 
beta cell: Special cells in the islets of Langerhans that produce insulin.
 
binge eating: The act of uncontrollably eating excessive amounts of food in a very short period of time. Binge eating is usually done in private settings and associated with shame and guilt. In general, periods of binge eating are preceded and followed by periods of purging, either through throwing up, not eating or excessively exercising.
 
blood monitor: A small device designed to monitor glucose levels in the blood.
 
blood pressure: The systolic (heart contracting) and diastolic (heart resting) force that is applied within the arteries based on conditions such as emotion and exercise.
 
blood sugar: Glucose available in the blood for cell energy.
 
BMI (Body Mass Index): A ratio of a person’s weight to height that measures the percentage of body fat he or she has. While a BMI that falls in the range of 21 to 25 is normal, those within the 25 to 29 range are overweight. BMIs over 30 are classified as obese.
 
bolus: A high dose of medication or other substance given intravenously to rapidly induce a therapeutic amount of the substance in the bloodstream.
 
c-peptide: A peptide (amino acid byproduct) produced in equal amounts to insulin.
 
calorie: A scientific measurement equal to the amount of energy needed to heat up one gram of water one degree Celsius. In terms of food, a calorie represents the energy that food holds. A food calorie is equal to 1,000 scientific calories.
 
cannaboids: A class of substances similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. Like marijuana, cannaboids alter the brain’s chemistry and tend to have depressive, sedative effects.
 
carbohydrates: Along with calories, carbohydrates are a source of energy found in foods. Carbohydrates are the starches and sugars in certain grains, vegetables and breads.
 
cardiovascular: A term that describes anything associated with the heart, lungs, blood vessels and/or circulatory system.
 
carbohydrate: Sugars, starches and cellulose formed by green plants (cellulose in plants and chitin in animals) and a primary source of food.
 
charcot's foot: A condition of the foot where the joints and soft tissues and destroyed. Caused by damage to the nerves.
 
cholesterol: A natural element in the body that is essential for normal functioning. Too much cholesterol, however, can cause plaque buildup and blockage in arteries.
 
cirrhosis: Widespread scarring and damage of the liver.
 
coma: Unconsciousness caused by disease or trauma.
 
congestive heart failure: Heart failure caused by inadequate blood circulation or the inability to pump blood out of the heart.
 
contraception: Methods (pills, condoms, etc.) of preventing pregnancy.
 
cortisol:A stress-induced hormone as well as a pharmaceutical compound (hydrocortisone) that is used to treat disease and illnesses, including arthritis and allergies.
 
DASH diet: A synonym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which is a recommended meal plan for lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol.
 
dehydration: Insufficient amounts of bodily fluid.
 
dextrose: A simple blood sugar.
 
diabetes: A chronic, incurable condition marked by the body’s inability to produce or process insulin, causing sugars to dangerously accrue in the blood.
 
diastolic: This is the pressure rate when a heart is in the rest mode and is typically the lower number in a blood pressure reading.
 
diuretic: Any means in which the kidneys increase production of urine.
 
dyslipidemia: A condition where excess amounts of lipids or lipoproteins build up in the blood.
 
encephalopathy: Referring to any number of brain diseases that affect function, structure and mental alteration.
 
endocrinologist: A scientist who specializes in diseases of the endocrine glands.
 
estrogen: An ovary-produced hormone that triggers the growth of female sex organs, as well as the start of the female menstruation cycle
 
euglycemia: Normal levels of sugar in the blood.
 
exocrine: Describes the secretion of a body substance through a duct, such as sweat.