Insulin pump
A device that delivers rapid-acting insulin continuously through a catheter or patch, replacing multiple daily injections. You can compare several models in our insulin pump comparison.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
A serious, fast-developing complication, more common in type 1 diabetes, in which the body, unable to use glucose for energy, starts producing excess ketones. It requires urgent medical attention.
Gestational diabetes
Diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy, because pregnancy hormones make insulin's action harder. It's usually managed with diet, exercise and, in some cases, medication, and typically goes away after delivery.
Type 1 diabetes
An autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the pancreas's beta cells, which produce insulin. It requires insulin treatment from diagnosis, which usually occurs in childhood or youth, though it can appear at any age.
Type 2 diabetes
A form of diabetes associated with progressive insulin resistance, in which the body produces insulin but doesn't use it effectively. It usually appears in adulthood and is linked to genetic and lifestyle factors.
Blood glucose
The level of glucose (sugar) present in the blood at a given moment, usually measured in mg/dL. It's the value measured by both finger-prick glucose meters and continuous monitoring sensors.
GLP-1 (GLP-1 receptor agonist)
A family of drugs that mimic a natural gut hormone, stimulating insulin release, slowing digestion and reducing appetite. They're used both for type 2 diabetes and for weight management.
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)
A blood test that reflects average glucose levels over the past 2-3 months, commonly used to assess mid-term diabetes control, unlike a single glucose reading.
Hyperglycemia
A blood glucose level higher than normal. If sustained over time, it's responsible for much of diabetes's long-term complications.
Hypoglycemia
A drop in blood glucose levels below the normal range, which can cause symptoms like shaking, sweating or confusion, and in severe cases requires quick action.
Glycemic index
A measure of how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose compared with a reference food. Low-glycemic-index foods raise glucose more slowly and steadily.
Basal insulin
Slow- or long-acting insulin that maintains a stable background level throughout the day, without direct relation to meals. We explain it in more detail in our insulin types guide.
Bolus insulin
Rapid-acting insulin given to cover the glucose rise caused by a meal, unlike basal insulin. More context in the insulin types guide.
CGM (continuous glucose monitoring)
A sensor worn on the skin that continuously measures glucose in interstitial fluid, showing the data on a phone or reader, without needing a finger prick every time. You can see the latest news in our Sensors category.
Diabetic nephropathy
Progressive kidney damage caused by elevated glucose levels sustained over time, one of the main microvascular complications of diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy
Nerve damage associated with diabetes, which can reduce sensation (especially in the feet) and let wounds or irritation go unnoticed.
Prediabetes
A state in which glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to diagnose type 2 diabetes. With changes in diet and exercise, it's possible to slow or reverse its progression.
Insulin resistance
A state in which the body's cells respond less well than usual to insulin, so the pancreas needs to produce more of it to keep glucose at normal levels. It's a common basis of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy
An eye complication caused by the damage that elevated glucose sustained over time causes to the retina's blood vessels, and one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss.
SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor)
A family of drugs that act at the kidney level, promoting glucose removal through urine, used to treat type 2 diabetes and with added cardiovascular and kidney benefits.
Cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM)
A concept describing how fat tissue, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease are all connected, reinforcing the idea of treating these problems together rather than separately.