Glossary of terms
This page will give you explanations for some of the terminology used on this site:
Non-diabetic hypergylcaemia (NDH): This is the medical diagnosis for when the glucose levels in your blood are above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnoses as diabetes. Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia can also be referred to as pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes.
HbA1c: HbA1c is a single blood test that shows your average blood glucose level over the last three months. A high fasting HbA1c can represent prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Fasting blood glucose: A single blood test taken after a period of eating no food (fasting). A high fasting blood glucose level can represent prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test: An oral glucose tolerance test involves having your blood glucose measured after a period when you not had any food or drink for 8 to 10 hours, usually first thing in the morning.
You will then be given a glucose drink and your blood glucose will be measured again usually after 2 hours. A high blood glucose level after 2 hours can be a sign of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
mmol/mol: Mmol/mol stands for millimoles per mole. A mole is a scientific unit often used to measure chemicals, and is the standard measurement for glucose levels.
mmol/L: mmol/L stands for millimoles per litre. A mole is a scientific unit often used to measure chemicals.
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a type of blood fat which is made in the liver. It’s also found in some foods too.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): LDL is a type of cholesterol which is often called ‘bad cholesterol’ because too much of it can clog up your arteries and lead to health problems later on, such as heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): HDL is a type of cholesterol which is often called ‘good cholesterol’ because it carries cholesterol away from your cells, back to your liver to be broken down. So, it helps prevent disease.
Statins: Statins are a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood.
Blood vessels: Blood vessels are the network of tubes through which blood is pumped around the body.
Arteries: The arteries are blood vessels in the cardiovascular system that moves blood away from the heart.
Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is where your arteries become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. It increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD): Cardiovascular disease is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.
Stroke: A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Blood pressure: Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body.
mmHg: mmHG stands for millimetres of mercury and is the measurement used for blood pressure.
Systolic pressure: This measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure: This measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
Hypertension: Hypertension is the medical term used for a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is the result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), which often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): Peripheral arterial disease is a common condition where a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to leg muscles. It's also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
Ulcer: An ulcer is a medical term for an open wound or sore.
Diabetes-related retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina).
Background retinopathy: This is the first stage of diabetes-related retinopathy. It means that tiny bulges (microaneurysms) have appeared in the blood vessels in the back of your eyes (retina), which may leak small amounts of blood.
Pre-proliferative retinopathy: This is the second stage of diabetes-related retinopathy. It means that more severe and widespread changes are seen in the retina, including bleeding into the retina.
Proliferative retinopathy: This is the third stage of diabetes-related retinopathy. means that new blood vessels and scar tissue have formed on your retina, which can cause significant bleeding and lead to retinal detachment, where the retina pulls away from the back of the eye.
Maculopathy: This is when the blood vessels in the part of the eye called the macula (the central area of the retina) can also become leaky or blocked. This is known as diabetic maculopathy.
Diabetic nephropathy: Diabetic nephropathy is the name given to kidney damage caused by diabetes. It develops slowly, over many years, and is also referred to as chronic kidney disease.
Sedentary behaviour: Sedentary behaviour was defined as sitting or lying down for various activities, including time spent sitting at work, and time spent sitting while using computers, watching television, and for other leisure activities.
