Diabetes Language

MiniMed Paradigm® Revel™ Insulin Pump - The pump and Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) that Vince wears 24/7 to control his Type 1 Diabetes

Continuous Glucose Monitor CGM- Determines and records blood glucose levels on a continuous basis (every few minutes) by measuring the glucose level of interstitial fluid through a small catheter placed below the skin on the abdomen and relays information to Vince's insulin pump wirelessly

Insulin - A hormone that lowers the level of glucose in the blood and essential to a type 1 diabetic to live

Infusion set - A complete tubing system to connect an insulin pump to the pump user

Reservoir - The disposable plastic tube that is placed inside in the insulin pump to hold insulin. It is changed about every two days

Bolus - A dose of insulin of rapid-acting insulin that is injected to cover the food eaten in a meal or a snack or to correct a high blood glucose reading

Basal - A continuous dose of insulin delivered through an insulin pump to control blood sugar levels 24/7

Glucose Meter - A small battery operated devise that uses a drop of blood on a test strip to determine your blood sugar at that specific time

Strips - Used with glucose meters to test blood sugar

Lancing device - Used to stick your finger to obtain a drop of blood for blood sugar testing

Lancet - The small needle used with a lancing device

Weak reaction - This is the term we commonly use for Vince's hypoglycemia reactions

Glucagon - A hormone, secreted by the pancreas, that raises blood glucose levels and is administered in extreme hypoglycemic episodes through a syringe in the thigh or upper arm