Medical Guides

Pancreas: A gland located just behind the stomach which produces hormones and enzymes required for digesting food.

Islets/Islands of Langerhans: The clumps of cells within the pancreas, which produce insulin and other hormones. The cells are of three types:

Alpha cell : Cells which make and release glucagons hormone.
Beta cells : Cells that produce insulin.
Delta cells: These cells produce a hormone known as somatostatin.

Gland: A group of special cells that produce and secrete chemical compounds. For example, the pancreas is a gland that secretes insulin.
Secrete: To make and give off, e.g. the beta cells of pancreas produce insulin and release it into the blood.

Hyperglycaemia: High blood glucose levels. (160 mg/dl or above).

Hyperinsulinism: High levels of insulin in the blood.

Morbidity Rate: The sickness rate: the number of people who are sick
or have a disease as compared to the number who are healthy.

Mortality Rate: The death rate: the number of people who die of a
certain disease as compared to the total number of people.

Prevalence: The number of people in a given group or population who
are reported to have a disease.

Prognosis: Future course of a disease.

Receptors: Certain sites on the cell surfaces that play a role in chemical ‘communication.’ For example, insulin binds to the receptors on the cells and allows glucose to enter the cells.

Glycogenolysis: It is a process in which glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to liberate glucose.

Gluconeogenesis: The formation of glucose from protein within the liver.

Systemic: A word used to describe conditions that affect the entire body. Diabetes is a systemic disease as it has effects on many parts of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, etc.