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Diabetes
Dictionary Index
A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P R S T U
V X
U-100
See: Unit of insulin.
Ulcer
A break in the skin;
a deep sore. People with diabetes may get ulcers from minor
scrapes on the feet or legs, from cuts that heal slowly, or
from the rubbing of shoes that do not fit well. Ulcers can become
infected.
Ultralente
Insulin
A type of insulin
that is long acting.
Ultrasound
Test used to monitor
pregnancy and to diagnose neuropathy.
Unit of Insulin
The basic measure
of insulin. U-100 insulin means 100 units of insulin per milliliter
(mL) or cubic centimeter (cc) of solution. Most insulin made
today in the United States is U-100.
Unsaturated
Fats
A type of fat. See
also: Fats.
Unstable
Diabetes
A type of diabetes
when a person's blood glucose (sugar) level often swings quickly
from high to low and from low to high. Also called "brittle
diabetes" or "labile diabetes."
Urea
One of the chief
waste products of the body. When the body breaks down food,
it uses what it needs and throws the rest away as waste. The
kidneys flush the waste from the body in the form of urea, which
is in the urine.
Urine Testing
Checking urine to
see if it contains glucose (sugar) and ketones. Special strips
of paper or tablets (called reagents) are put into a small amount
of urine or urine plus water. Changes in the color of the strip
show the amount of glucose or ketones in the urine. Urine testing
is the only way to check for the presence of ketones, a sign
of serious illness. However, urine testing is less desirable
then blood testing for monitoring the level of glucose in the
body. See also: Blood glucose monitoring; reagents.
Urologist
A doctor who sees
men and women for treatment of the urinary tract and men for
treatment of the genital organs.
Vaginitis
An infection of the
vagina usually caused by a fungus. A woman with this condition
may have itching or burning and may notice a discharge. Women
who have diabetes may develop vaginitis more often than women
who do not have diabetes.
Vascular
Relating to the body's
blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries).
Vein
A blood vessel that
carries blood to the heart. See also: Blood vessels.
Visceral
Neuropathy
See: Autonomic neuropathy.
Vitrectomy
Removing the gel
from the center of the eyeball because it has blood and scar
tissue in it that blocks sight. An eye surgeon replaces the
clouded gel with a clear fluid. See also: Diabetic retinopathy.
Vitreous
Humor
The clear jelly (gel)
that fills the center of the eye.
Void
To empty the bladder
in order to obtain a urine sample for testing.
Xylitol
A sweetener found
in plants and used as a substitute for sugar; it is called a
nutritive sweetener because it provides calories, just like
sugar.
NIH Publication No.
94-3016
August 1994
Diabetes Dictionary
Index
A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P R S T U
V X
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