An organ behind the lower part of the stomach that is about the size of a hand. It
makes insulin so that the body can use glucose (sugar) for energy. It also makes enzymes that help the body digest food. Spread all over the pancreas are areas called the islets of Langerhans. The cells
in these areas each have a special purpose. The alpha cells make glucagon, which raises the level of glucose in the blood; the beta cells make insulin; the delta cells make somatostatin. There are also
the PP cells and the D1 cells, about which little is known.
Pancreas Transplant
A surgical procedure that involves replacing the pancreas of a person who has diabetes with a healthy pancreas
that can make insulin. The healthy pancreas comes from a donor who has just died or from a living relative. A person can donate half a pancreas and still live normally.
At present, pancreas
transplants are usually performed in persons with insulin-dependent diabetes who have severe complications. This is because after the transplant the patient must take immunosuppressive drugs that are
highly toxic and may cause damage to the body.
Pancreatectomy
A procedure in which a surgeon takes out the pancreas.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation (pain, tenderness) of the
pancreas; it can make the pancreas stop working. It is caused by drinking too much alcohol, by disease in the gallbladder, or by a virus.
Peak Action
The time period when the effect of
something is as strong as it can be such as when insulin in having the most effect on lowering the glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Pediatric Endocrinologist
A doctor who sees and treats
children with problems of the endocrine glands; diabetes is an endocrine disorder. See also: Endocrine glands.
Periodontal Disease
Damage to the gums. People who have diabetes are more
likely to have gum disease than people who do not have diabetes.
Periodontist
A specialist in the treatment of diseases of the gums.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Nerve damage, usually
affecting the feet and legs; causing pain, numbness, or a tingling feeling. Also called "somatic neuropathy" or "distal sensory polyneuropathy."
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Disease in the large blood vessels of the arms, legs, and feet. People who have had diabetes for a long time may get this because major blood vessels in their arms, legs, and feet are blocked and
these limbs do not receive enough blood. The signs of PVD are aching pains in the arms, legs, and feet (especially when walking) and foot sores that heal slowly. Although people with diabetes cannot
always avoid PVD, doctors say they have a better chance of avoiding it if they take good care of their feet, do not smoke, and keep both their blood pressure and diabetes under good control. See also:
Macrovascular disease.
Peritoneal Dialysis
A way to clean the blood of people who have kidney disease. See also: Dialysis.
Pharmacist
A person trained to prepare and distribute medicines and to give information about them.
Photocoagulation
Using a special strong beam of light (laser) to seal off bleeding blood vessels such
as in the eye. The laser can also burn away blood vessels that should not have grown in the eye. This is the main treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
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.
Podiatrist
A doctor who treats and takes care of people's feet.
Podiatry
The care and treatment of human feet in health and disease.
Point System
A way to plan meals that uses points to
rate food. The foods are placed in four classes: calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each food is given a point value within its class. A person with a planned diet for the day can choose foods
in the same class that have the same point values for meals and snacks.
Polydipsia
A great thirst that lasts for long periods of time; a sign of diabetes.
Polyphagia
Great hunger; a sign of diabetes. People with this great hunger often lose weight.
Polyunsaturated Fats
A type of fat that comes from vegetables. See also: Fats.
The number of people in a given group or population who are reported to have a disease.
Previous Abnormality of Glucose Tolerance (PrevAGT)
A term for people who have had above-normal levels of blood glucose (sugar) when tested for diabetes in the past but who show as normal on a
current test. PrevAGT used to be called either "latent diabetes" or "prediabetes."
Prognosis
Telling a person now what is likely to happen in the future because of having a disease.
Proinsulin
The substance made first in the pancreas that is then made into insulin. When insulin is
purified from the pancreas of pork or beef, all the proinsulin is not fully removed. When some people use these insulins, the proinsulin can cause the body to react with a rash, to resist the insulin, or
even to make dents or lumps in the skin at the place where the insulin is injected. The purified insulins have less proinsulin and other impurities than the other types of insulins.
Proliferative Retinopathy
A disease of the small blood vessels of the retina of the eye. See also: Diabetic retinopathy.
Prosthesis
A man-made substitute for a missing body part such
as an arm or a leg; also an implant such as for the hip.
