Diabetes Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X
macrosomia (mack-roh-SOH-mee-ah)
Abnormally large; in diabetes, refers to abnormally large babies that may be born to women with diabetes.
macrovascular disease (mack-roh-VASK-yoo-ler)
Disease of the large blood vessels, such as those found in the heart. Lipids and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels and can cause atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
macula (MACK-yoo-la)
The part of the retina in the eye used for reading and seeing fine detail.
macular edema (MACK-yoo-lur eh-DEE-mah)
Swelling of the macula.
maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)
A kind of Type 2 diabetes that accounts for 1 to 5 percent of people with diabetes. Of the six forms identified, each is caused by a defect in a single gene.
meglitinide (meh-GLIH-tin-ide)
A class of oral medicine for Type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose by helping the pancreas make more insulin right after meals. (Generic name: repaglinide)
metabolic syndrome
The tendency of several conditions to occur together, including obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes or pre-diabetes, hypertension, and high lipids.
metabolism
The term for the way cells chemically change food so that it can be used to store or use energy and make the proteins, fats, and sugars needed by the body.
metformin (met-FOR-min)
An oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and helping the body respond better to the insulin made in the pancreas. Belongs to the class of medicines called biguanides. (Brand names: Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®; an ingredient in Glucovance®)
mg/dL
Milligrams (MILL-ih-grams) per deciliter (DESS-ih-lee-tur), A unit of measure that shows the concentration of a substance in a specific amount of fluid. In the United States, blood glucose test results are reported as mg/dL. Medical journals and other countries use millimoles per liter (mmol/L). To convert to mg/dL from mmol/L, multiply mmol/L by 18. Example: 10 mmol/L ?18 = 180 mg/dL.
microalbumin (MY-kro-al-BYOO-min)
Small amounts of the protein called albumin in the urine detectable with a special lab test.
microalbuminuria (MY-kro-al-BYOO-min-your-EE-ah)
The presence of small amounts of albumin, a protein, in the urine. Microalbuminuria is an early sign of kidney damage, or nephropathy, a common and serious complication of diabetes. The ADA recommends that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes be tested for microalbuminuria at the time they are diagnosed and every year thereafter; people with type 1 diabetes should be tested 5 years after diagnosis and every year thereafter. Microalbuminuria is usally managed by improving blood glucose control, reducing blood pressure, and modifying the diet.
microaneurysm (MY-kro-AN-yeh-rizm)
A small swelling that forms on the side of tiny blood vessels. These small swellings may break and allow blood to leak into nearby tissue. People with diabetes may get microaneurysms in the retina of the eye.
microvascular disease (MY-kro-VASK-yoo-ler)
Disease of the smallest blood vessels, such as those found in the eyes, nerves, and kidneys. The walls of the vessels become abnormally thick but weak. Then they bleed, leak protein, and slow the flow of blood to the cells.
miglitol (MIG-lih-tall)
An oral medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It blocks the enzymes that digest starches in food. The result is a slower and lower rise in blood glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. Belongs to the class of medicines called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. (Brand name: Glyset®)
mixed dose
A combination of two types of insulin in one injection. Usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin is combined with a longer acting insulin (such as NPH insulin) to provide both short-term and long-term control of blood glucose levels.
mmol/L
Millimoles per liter, a unit of measure that shows the concentration of a substance in a specific amount of fluid. In most of the world, except for the United States, blood glucose test results are reported as mmol/L. In the United States, milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is used. To convert to mmol/L from mg/dL, divide mg/dL by 18. Example: 180 mg/dL ? = 10 mmol/L.
monofilament
A short piece of nylon, like a hairbrush bristle, mounted on a wand. To check sensitivity of the nerves in the foot, the doctor touches the filament to the bottom of the foot.
mononeuropathy (MAH-noh-ne-ROP-uh-thee)
Neuropathy affecting a single nerve.
myocardial infarction (my-oh-KAR-dee-ul in-FARK-shun)
An interruption in the blood supply to the heart because of narrowed or blocked blood vessels. Also called a heart attack.
