Introduction

Your doctor says you have diabetes. You can learn how to take care of your diabetes and how to prevent some of the serious problem that diabetes can cause. You may want to share these information with your family and friends so they too will understand more about diabetes and how they can help you live a healthy life. And remember, you can always ask your health care team any question you might have.

Pronunciation Guide

A1C (AY-WUHN SEE)
beta cells (BAY-tuh) (selz)

carbohydrate (KAR-bohHY-drayt)

cholesterol (koh-LESS-tur-ol)

circulation (SUR-kyoo-LAY-shuhn)

creatinine (kree-AT-ih-neen)

diabetologist (DY-uh-beh-TOL-uh-jist)

dialysis (dy-AL-ih-siss)

endocrinologist (EN-doh-krih-NOL-uh-jist) gestational (jess-TAY-shuhn-uhl)

glucagon (GLOO-kuh-gon)

glucose (GLOO-kohss)

hemoglobin (HEE-moh-GLOH-bin)
hyperglycemia (HY-pur-gly-SEE-mee-uh) hypoglycemia (HY-poh-gly-SEE-mee-uh) immune (ih-MYOON)

injection (in-JEK-shuhn)

insulin (IN-suh-lin)

ketoacidosis(KEE-toh-ASS-ih-DOH-siss)

ketones (KEE-tohnz)

microalbumin (MY-kroh-al-BYOO-min)

pancreas (PAN-kree-uhss)

podiatrist (poh-DY-uh-trist)

syringe (suh-RINJ)

triglyceride (try-GLISS-ur-eyed)

National Diabetes

Information Clearinghouse

1 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3560

Phone: 1-800-860-8747

TTY: 1-866-569-1162

Fax: 703-738-4929

Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Internet: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1978, the Clearinghouse provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about diabetes.