DIABETES RELATED EXPLANATIONS AND DEFINITIONS . HYPOTENSION Low blood pressure or a sudden drop in blood pressure. A person rising quickly from a sitting or reclining position may have a sudden fall in blood pressure, causing dizziness or fainting. . MACROVASCULAR DISEASE A disease of the large blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time. Fat and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels and stick to the vessel walls. Three kinds of macrovascular disease are coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. . PITUITARY GLAND An endocrine gland in the small, bony cavity at the base of the brain. Often called the master gland, the pituitary serves the body in many ways-in growth, in food use, and in reproduction. . 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. . 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. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DIABETES Q AND A: QUESTION: What should my blood glucose levels be? ANSWER: Your personal goal depends on your age, type of diabetes and how long you've had it, other health conditions, life style, and desire for control. Here are some guidelines: Before a Meal (or fasting:) ---- Excellent: 60-100 ---- Good: 100-140 ---- Fair :140-180 ---- Poor over: 180 After a Meal ---- Excellent: 110-140 ---- Good: 140-180 ---- Fair: 180-220 ---- Poor: Over 220 Your diabetes educator and physician will help you set your own goals. For some people, a blood sugar level below 80 mg is too low, while for others a level under 100 mg is too low. A level over 120 before a meal is too high for some, while for others it is normal. Source: Ruth E. Lundstrom, R.N. and Aldo A. Rossini, M.D. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: INTERACT WITH OTHER READERS IN THE DIABETIC NEWSLETTER ONLINE FORUM Discuss recent articles, news, and recipes with other readers in The Diabetic Newsletter forum! To participate, visit http://diabeticgourmet.com/forum/newsletter ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: NEWSLETTER INFORMATION The Diabetic Newsletter is published by The Diabetic Gourmet Magazine and emailed every other Monday. This is an opt-in newsletter, meaning all subscribers individually signed up to receive it via email. To SUBSCRIBE , visit http://diabeticnewsletter.com Kath <mzmouser@earthlink.net> ~`* `*' `*' `* `*' `*' *' `*' *' `*' `* `*' *' `*' ~~~