Diabetes Terminology Dictionary for Seniors: Your Complete A-Z Guide
This article provides general information about diabetes terminology dictionary for seniors. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice specific to your condition.
Navigating diabetes terminology can feel like learning a new language, especially for seniors managing their health. Our diabetes terminology dictionary for seniors makes understanding your condition and communicating with healthcare providers easier. Let’s break down these important terms into clear, simple explanations you can use every day.
Essential Diabetes Terms Every Senior Should Know
Whether you’re new to diabetes management or have been living with it for years, having a clear understanding of key terms helps you take better control of your health.
Keep this guide handy during doctor appointments or when reading about diabetes management. Understanding these terms helps you make more informed decisions about your care.
Blood Sugar Management Terms
Core Blood Sugar Vocabulary
A1C (Hemoglobin A1C): A blood test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. Think of it as your diabetes report card.
- Normal: Below 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
Blood Glucose: The sugar in your blood that gives your body energy. This is what you measure with your meter.
- Also called: Blood sugar
- Measured in: mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
Fasting Blood Sugar: Your blood sugar level after not eating for at least 8 hours, usually checked first thing in the morning.
Postprandial: Your blood sugar level after eating a meal (usually checked 2 hours after).
High and Low Blood Sugar Terms
Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar (above 180 mg/dL).
- Signs include: Increased thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision
- Action: Follow your high blood sugar plan
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar (below 70 mg/dL).
- Signs include: Shaking, sweating, confusion, hunger
- Action: Eat 15g of fast-acting carbs immediately
Dawn Phenomenon: Natural rise in blood sugar in early morning hours (3-8 AM) due to hormone changes.
Somogyi Effect: High morning blood sugar caused by overnight low blood sugar that triggers a rebound.
Understanding Your Diabetes Technology
Modern diabetes management often involves various devices. Here are the key terms you’ll encounter:
Monitoring Devices
CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor): A small sensor worn on your body that checks your sugar levels throughout the day
- Provides readings every 5 minutes
- Reduces need for finger sticks
- Sends alerts for highs and lows
Glucose Meter (Glucometer): A device that measures your blood sugar from a small drop of blood
- Also called: Blood glucose meter
- Requires test strips
- Gives instant results
Test Strips: The small pieces of paper used with your meter to check blood sugar
- Each strip is single-use
- Must match your meter brand
- Store in original container
Lancet: The tiny needle used to prick your finger for blood sugar testing
- Change frequently for comfort
- Use sides of fingertips
- Never share with others
Medicare covers CGM systems for qualifying seniors. Call us at 727-831-3729 to learn about your coverage options.
Advanced Technology Terms
Flash Glucose Monitor: Similar to CGM but requires scanning to see readings (like FreeStyle Libre).
Insulin Pump: A small device that delivers insulin continuously throughout the day.
Smart Insulin Pen: A reusable pen that tracks insulin doses and timing.
Medication and Treatment Terms
Understanding your treatment options helps you have better conversations with your healthcare team:
Insulin Types and Terms
Insulin: A hormone that helps sugar enter your cells for energy. Some people need to take it as medicine.
Basal Insulin: Long-acting insulin that works throughout the day
- Examples: Lantus, Levemir, Tresiba
- Usually taken once or twice daily
- Provides steady background insulin
Bolus Insulin: Fast-acting insulin taken with meals
- Examples: Humalog, Novolog, Apidra
- Works within 15 minutes
- Covers mealtime blood sugar rises
Insulin Resistance: When your body doesn’t respond well to insulin, requiring more to control blood sugar.
Insulin Sensitivity: How well your body responds to insulin (opposite of resistance).
Oral Medication Categories
Oral Medications: Pills that help control blood sugar in different ways
Metformin: Usually the first medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes
- Reduces glucose production by liver
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Common brand: Glucophage
Sulfonylureas: Medications that help your pancreas make more insulin
- Examples: Glipizide, Glyburide
- Can cause low blood sugar
- Take before meals
DPP-4 Inhibitors: Pills that help your body produce more insulin after meals
- Examples: Januvia, Tradjenta
- Rarely cause low blood sugar
- Once daily dosing
SGLT2 Inhibitors: Medications that help kidneys remove excess sugar through urine
- Examples: Jardiance, Farxiga
- May also protect heart and kidneys
- Can cause urinary infections
GLP-1 Agonists: Injectable medications that help with blood sugar and weight
- Examples: Ozempic, Trulicity
- Usually weekly injections
- May reduce appetite
Daily Management Terms for Seniors
These terms relate to your everyday diabetes care:
Nutrition and Diet Terms
Carbohydrate (Carb): Nutrient in food that raises blood sugar
- Found in: Bread, pasta, fruit, milk
- 1 serving = 15 grams
- Most impacts blood sugar
Carb Counting: Keeping track of the carbohydrates you eat to help manage blood sugar
- Helps determine insulin doses
- Improves blood sugar control
- Your dietitian can teach you
Glycemic Index: How quickly a food raises blood sugar
- Low GI: Slow rise (better choice)
- High GI: Fast rise
- Affects meal planning
Fiber: Part of plant foods that doesn’t raise blood sugar
- Helps control blood sugar
- Subtract from total carbs
- Aim for 25-30g daily
Treatment Planning Terms
Sliding Scale: A personalized chart showing how much insulin to take based on your blood sugar reading
- Adjusts for current blood sugar
- Used with rapid-acting insulin
- Your doctor creates this
Target Range: The blood sugar numbers your doctor wants you to aim for
- Often 80-130 mg/dL before meals
- Less than 180 mg/dL after meals
- May be different for you
Insulin-to-Carb Ratio: How many carbs one unit of insulin covers
- Example: 1:15 means 1 unit covers 15g carbs
- Personal to you
- May vary by meal
Correction Factor: How much one unit of insulin lowers your blood sugar
- Also called: Sensitivity factor
- Example: 1:50 means 1 unit drops sugar 50 points
- Used to fix high blood sugar
Medical Complication Terms
Eye and Vision Terms
Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to blood vessels in the eye from high blood sugar
- Leading cause of blindness
- Often no early symptoms
- Annual eye exams essential
Macular Edema: Swelling in the part of eye responsible for sharp vision
- Can occur with retinopathy
- Treatable if caught early
- May cause blurry vision
Nerve and Circulation Terms
Neuropathy: Nerve damage from prolonged high blood sugar
- Peripheral: In hands and feet
- Autonomic: Affects organs
- Can cause pain or numbness
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Poor circulation in legs and feet
- Common in diabetes
- Increases wound risk
- Walking helps improve
Kidney Terms
Nephropathy: Kidney damage from diabetes
- Also called: Diabetic kidney disease
- Detected through urine tests
- Preventable with good control
Microalbuminuria: Small amounts of protein in urine
- Early sign of kidney damage
- Reversible with treatment
- Annual testing recommended
Healthcare Team Terms
Medical Professionals
Endocrinologist: Doctor specializing in hormone disorders like diabetes
- Manages complex cases
- Adjusts medications
- Coordinates care
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE): Healthcare professional specially trained in diabetes management
- Teaches self-care skills
- Helps with devices
- Provides ongoing support
Podiatrist: Foot doctor important for diabetes care
- Prevents complications
- Treats foot problems
- Trims nails safely
Ophthalmologist: Eye doctor who treats diabetic eye disease
- Performs dilated exams
- Treats retinopathy
- Different from optometrist
Insurance and Coverage Terms
DME (Durable Medical Equipment): Medical supplies covered by Medicare
- Includes glucose meters
- CGM systems
- Test strips
- Insulin pumps
Prior Authorization: Insurance approval needed before getting certain supplies or medications
- Required for CGMs
- May delay coverage
- We help with paperwork
Formulary: List of medications your insurance covers
- Tiers affect copays
- Changes yearly
- Generic usually preferred
Laboratory Test Terms
Regular Testing Terms
Fasting Glucose Test: Blood sugar test after 8+ hours without food
- Diagnoses diabetes
- Normal: Below 100 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher
Glucose Tolerance Test: Measures blood sugar before and after drinking sweet liquid
- Diagnoses diabetes
- Shows how body processes sugar
- Takes 2-3 hours
C-Peptide Test: Shows how much insulin your pancreas makes
- Helps determine diabetes type
- Low levels suggest type 1
- Normal/high suggest type 2
Additional Health Markers
Lipid Panel: Blood test checking cholesterol and triglycerides
- Important for heart health
- Includes HDL, LDL, triglycerides
- Annual testing recommended
Creatinine: Blood test that checks kidney function
- Higher levels indicate problems
- Used to calculate GFR
- Monitored regularly
GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate): Measure of kidney function
- Normal: Above 60
- Below 60: Kidney disease
- Below 15: Kidney failure
Lifestyle and Management Terms
Exercise Terms
Aerobic Exercise: Activity that increases heart rate and breathing
- Examples: Walking, swimming
- Aim for 150 minutes weekly
- Helps lower blood sugar
Resistance Training: Exercises using weights or bands
- Builds muscle
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Twice weekly recommended
Self-Care Terms
SMBG (Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose): Checking your own blood sugar at home
- Key to good control
- Frequency varies by person
- Guides treatment decisions
Sick Day Rules: Special diabetes management plan for when you’re ill
- Check blood sugar more often
- Stay hydrated
- Never skip insulin
Emergency Terms
Glucagon: Emergency medication for severe low blood sugar
- Given by injection or nasal spray
- Used when person can’t swallow
- Family should know how to use
DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis): Dangerous condition from very high blood sugar and ketones
- More common in type 1
- Requires emergency care
- Prevented by taking insulin
HHS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State): Extreme high blood sugar without ketones
- More common in type 2
- Very dangerous
- Requires hospitalization
Using This Dictionary Effectively
Tips for Learning Terms:
- Start with terms related to your current care
- Write down unfamiliar terms at appointments
- Ask providers to explain in simple language
- Share this guide with family members
- Keep it accessible during medical visits
Making It Personal:
Create your own quick reference with:
- Your target blood sugar ranges
- Your medication names
- Your doctor’s terms
- Important phone numbers
Remember: You don’t have to memorize all these terms at once. Focus on the ones most relevant to your daily care routine.
Getting Support with Diabetes Management
Understanding these terms is just one part of managing diabetes successfully. Our team at Senior CGM Support is here to help you every step of the way.
We Can Help You:
- Understand your diagnosis
- Navigate Medicare coverage
- Choose the right supplies
- Connect with support groups
- Simplify your management
Call us at 727-831-3729 to:
- Get personalized support with your diabetes management
- Learn more about Medicare coverage for diabetes supplies
- Connect with local diabetes support groups
Your Personal Diabetes Dictionary
Use this space to add terms specific to your care:
My Medications:
My Target Ranges:
My Healthcare Team:
Questions for Next Visit:
Conclusion
Having a solid understanding of diabetes terminology empowers you to be an active participant in your care. Use this dictionary as a reference tool, not something to memorize all at once.
The more comfortable you become with these terms, the more confident you’ll feel discussing your health with providers, understanding your test results, and making informed decisions about your care.
Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Take it one term at a time, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Your health is worth the effort to understand these important concepts.
Last updated: January 2025
References
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