Glossary of Diabetes

Macroangiopathy: See: Angiopathy.
Macrosomia: Abnormally large; in a diabetes context, it is the phenomenon of abnormally large babies that may be born to women with diabetes whose pregnancies are not closely monitored.
Macrovascular disease: A disease of the large blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time.
Macular edema: A swelling (edema) in the macula, an area near the center of the retina of the eye that is responsible for fine or reading vision. Macular edema is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy. See also: Diabetic retinopathy; retina.
Maturity-onset diabetes: Former term for noninsulin-dependent or type 2 diabetes. See: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY): One of at least six rare types of diabetes mellitus caused by genetic defect.
Meal plan: A guide for controlling the amount of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats a person eats. People with diabetes can use such plans as the Exchange Lists or the Point System to help them plan their meals so that they can keep their diabetes under control. See also: Exchange lists; point system.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolism: metabolism is the sum of all the processes involved in using food to produce chemical energy for cell functions. It is a complex interaction of enzymes, substrates, itnermediate products, etc. diabetes mellitus is a derangement of metabolism.
Metformin: A drug treatment for type 2 diabetes; belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides.
Mg/dL: Milligrams per deciliter. How much glucose (sugar) is in a specific amount of blood. In self-monitoring of blood glucose, test results are given as the amount of glucose in milligrams per deciliter of blood. A fasting reading of 70 to 110 mg/dL is considered in the normal (nondiabetic) range. (This is the standard measurement of blood sugar in the US. The rest of the world uses mmol/l)
Microaneurysm: A small swelling that forms on the side of tiny blood vessels. These small swellings may break and bleed into nearby tissue. People with diabetes sometimes get microaneurysms in the retina of the eye.
Microangiopathy: See: Angiopathy.
Microvascular disease: Disease of the smallest blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time.
Mixed dose: Combining two kinds of insulin in one injection. A mixed dose commonly combines regular insulin, which is fast acting, with a longer acting insulin such as NPH. A mixed dose insulin schedule may be prescribed to provide both short-term and long-term coverage.
mmol/l: Millimoles per litre. The world-standard (excepting the US) designated SI unit for the measurement of blood sugar levels. It is the concentration by molecular weight in a set amount of liquid.
Mononeuropathy: A form of diabetic neuropathy affecting a single nerve. The eye is a common site for this form of nerve damage. See also: Neuropathy.
Morbidity rate: the rate at which
Mortality rate: the rate at which death occurs (usually used as a statistical shorthand in regard to an infection or other condition).
Myocardial infarction: heart attack. The words mean heart muscle blockage.
Myo-inositol: A substance in the cell that is thought to play a role in helping the nerves to work. Low levels of myo-inositol may be involved in diabetic neuropathy.