Glossary of Diabetes - N

N

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

One of the 17 institutes that make up the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the Public Health Service.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum

A skin condition usually on the lower part of the legs. The lesions can be small or extend over a large area. They are usually raised, yellow, and waxy in appearance and often have a purple border. Young women are most often affected. This condition occurs in people with diabetes, or it may be a sign of diabetes. It also occurs in people who do not have diabetes.

Neovascularization

When new, tiny blood vessels grow in a new place, for example, out from the retina. See also: Diabetic retinopathy.

Nephrologist

a physician specializing in diseases of and treatment of the kidneys

Nephropathy

Disease of the kidneys caused by damage to the small blood vessels or to the units in the kidneys that clean the blood. People who have had diabetes for a long time may have kidney damage.

Nerve conduction studies

Tests to determine nerve function; can detect early neuropathy.

Neurologist

a physician specializing in diseases of and treatment of the nervous system.

Neuropathy

nerve damage. In a diabetic context, a chronic complication of diabetes. Damage usually appears in the longest nerves, for reasons we only dimly understand, resulting in loss of sensation to the feet and lower legs. The damage is almost always bilateral. Loss of reflexes is also common. Neuropathy can also affect the hands, motor nerves, and the autonomic system.

NIDDM

See: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

Out-of-date name for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. See: Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Noninvasive blood glucose monitoring

A way to measure blood glucose without having to prick the finger to obtain a blood sample. Several noninvasive devices are currently being developed.

Nonketotic coma

A type of coma caused by a lack of insulin. A nonketotic crisis means: (1) very high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood; (2) absence of ketoacidosis; (3) great loss of body fluid; and (4) a sleepy, confused, or comatose state. Nonketotic coma often results from some other problem such as a severe infection or kidney failure.

NPH insulin

A type of insulin that is intermediate-acting.

Nutrition

The proper levels of needed ingredients in the diet. Thus, '...his nutrition has been deficient in the past several weeks, as he is showing signs of scurvy, the deficiency disease associated with inadequate levels of vitamin C'.

Nutritionist

See: Dietitian.