Page 105
Glossary
alpha cells - Alpha cells are found in the pancreas. They produce a hormone called
glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.
basal rate - The basal rate is the amount of insulin that is continuously delivered by an
insulin pump. It is measured in units per hour (U/hr). The basal rate usually provides
about 40% to 60% of the daily total delivery of insulin.
beta cells - Beta cells are found in the pancreas. They produce insulin, which lowers blood
glucose levels. In Type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), the beta cells are
destroyed, so the body can no longer produce insulin.
BG (blood glucose) levels - Blood glucose levels are the measure of how much glucose
(sugar) is in the blood. The normal level is about 80 - 110mg/dL (4.5 - 6.0mmol/l).
bolus - A bolus is the amount of insulin delivered at one time, usually before a meal or
when blood glucose is high.
cannula - A cannula is a small tube that is inserted into the body. Some infusion sets are
designed so that only the cannula remains in the body and the needle used for insertion is
removed.
dawn phenomenon - More insulin may be required in the early morning hours of normal
sleep to counteract the release of the hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. This increased
need for insulin is known as dawn phenomenon and may cause a person with diabetes to
have a high blood glucose level in the morning upon waking. Basal rate delivery by the
ANIMAS pump can be programmed to compensate for dawn phenomenon.
diabetes - Diabetes is a complex disease in which the body cannot maintain healthy blood
glucose levels because either enough insulin cannot be produced or the body cannot
appropriately use insulin. In Type 1 diabetes, the body no longer produces insulin and in
Type 2 diabetes the body cannot use insulin properly.
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - DKA results when there is not enough insulin available to
help glucose enter the cells where it is used for energy. The body in turn, burns muscle and
fat for energy. A waste product of fat burning is ketones. Ketones accumulate in the blood
and then pass through the urine and lungs. This condition can be identified by urine
and/or blood tests. DKA usually requires hospitalization and can be fatal if not promptly
treated.
gastroparesis – Gastroparesis is a complication of diabetes that causes delayed digestion
resulting in unpredictable swings in blood glucose levels.
gestational diabetes - Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that may develop during
pregnancy. In some women, certain hormones normally produced by the body during
pregnancy can result in unusually high blood glucose levels. If the body cannot produce
enough insulin, this can lead to hyperglycemia and may require treatment with insulin.
Gestational diabetes usually ends when the baby is born, but many mothers who experience
gestational diabetes can later develop Type 2 diabetes.
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