Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

fasciitis
Inflammation of the fascia.
fasciitis, eosinophilic
See 
eosinophilic
fasciitis.
fasciitis, plantar
Inflammation of the plantar
fascia, the bowstring-like tissue that stretches from
the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasci-
itis can be due to calcaneal spurs, which typically
cause localized tenderness and pain that is made
worse by stepping down on the heel. Plantar fasci-
itis may be related to physical activity overload,
abnormal foot mechanics, or may be due to under-
lying diseases that cause arthritis, such as Reiter dis-
ease, ankylosing spondylitis, and diffuse idiopathic
skeletal hyperostosis. Treatment is designed to
decrease inflammation and avoid reinjury. Icing
reduces pain and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory
agents, such as ibuprofen and injections of corti-
sone, can help. Infrequently, surgery is done on
chronically inflamed spurs. A donut-shaped shoe
insert can take pressure off a calcaneal spur and
lessen plantar fasciitis.
fasting blood glucose
A test to determine how
much glucose (sugar) is in a blood sample after an
overnight fast. The fasting blood glucose test is com-
monly used to detect diabetes mellitus. A blood
sample is taken in a lab, physician’s office, or hos-
pital. The test is done in the morning, before the
person has eaten. The normal range for blood glu-
cose is 70 to 100 mg/dl. Levels between 100 and
126 mg/dl are referred to as impaired fasting glu-
cose or pre-diabetes. Diabetes is typically diagnosed
when fasting blood glucose levels are 126 mg/dl or
higher.
fasting blood sugar
See 
fasting blood glucose.
fat 1
Along with proteins and carbohydrates, one
of the three nutrients used as energy sources by the
body. The energy produced by fats is 9 calories per
gram. Proteins and carbohydrates each provide 4
calories per gram.