Blood Glucose Agents Flashcards
What is Adiponectin?
Hormone that increases insulin sensitivity, decreases glucose release from the liver and protects blood vessels from inflammation.
Explain Diabetes mellitus.
Chronic condition characterized by higher blood sugar levels due to either insufficient insulin production or the body’s inability to effectively use insulin.
What is Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) ?
Enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones which helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release after eating. DDP-4 inhibitors prevents DDP-4 from breaking down incretin, allowing it to work for longer
What are the Endocannabinoid receptors?
Receptors part of Endocannabinoid system. Involved in regulating appetite, mood and metabolism.
What is Glucagon - like polypeptide - 1 (GLP-1) ?
Hormone released from intestines that help regulate insulin secretion, glucose metabolism and appetite.
What is Glycogen?
Stored form of glucose found in the liver and muscles and used by the body for enegy when blood sugar is low.
What is Glycosuria?
Excess glucose in the urine. Sugar is spilled into the urine and is an indication of poorly managed diabetes.
What is Glycosylated hemoglobin A?
Hemoglobin bound to glucose - used to measure long term blood sugar control. (A1C)
What is Hyperglycemia?
Increased blood sugar levels (over 126)
What is Hypoglycemia?
Low blood sugar levels (under 70)
What are Incretins?
Hormones (GLP 1) that are released by the gut after eating to enhance insulin secretion and help regulate blood glucose.
What is Insulin?
Hormone produced by pancreas that help regulate blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells for energy.
What is Ketosis?
Metabolic state where body produces ketones for energy due to lack of sufficient glucose - seen in uncontrolled diabetes or starvation.
What is Polydipsia?
Increased thirst - commonly associated with hypoglycemia or diabetes.
What is Polyphagia?
Increased hunger - can occur when body cells are not receiving enough glucose.
What is Sulfonylureas?
Class of oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin.
Which gland produces Insulin?
The Pancreas in the endocrine part.
Where in the Pancreas is insulin produced?
The islets of Langerhans (by beta cells)
Is the Pancreas an endocrine or exocrine gland?
It is both.
What does the exocrine part of the Pancreas do?
- Releases sodium bicarbonate and pancreatic enzymes directly into the common bile
duct to be released into the small intestine. - Neutralizes the acid chyme from the stomach and aids digestion.
What is the dual function of the pancreas important for?
Metabolic regulation and proper digestion.
When is Insulin released into circulation?
When levels of glucose around the Islet of Langerhans cells rise. (usually after eating)
When does the pancreas release glucagon?
When blood glucose levels are low. This signals the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream.
What does insulin do?
Stimulates glycogen synthesis conversion of lipids into fat stored
as adipose tissue, and synthesis of proteins from amino acids.
What does insulin ensure?
That blood glucose does not get too high or too low.
Why is insulin released after a meal?
So that the blood glucose levels can fall.
Where is Glucagon released from?
The alpha cells into the islets of Langerhans
What is Glucagon released in response to?
Low blood glucose
What does Glucagon do?
Causes immediate mobilization of glycogen stored in the liver and raises blood glucose levels. It does the opposite of insulin.
What does Adipocytes secrete?
Adiponectin
What does adiponectin do?
Increases insulin sensitivity, decreases release of glucose from liver, and protects blood vessels
from inflammation.
What does Endocannabinoid receptors do in the body?
Keeps the body in a state of energy gain to prepare for stressful situations
Which nervous system decreases insulin release?
The sympathetic nervous system.
It also increases release of stored glucose and increases fat breakdown.
What effect does epinephrine have on blood glucose?
Increases glucose levels in the blood so that the body has energy to face the threat or run away from it.
What does Corticosteroids reduce?
Insulin sensitivity.
What does Corticosteroids increase?
The release of stored glucose and fat breakdown for immediate use during stress.
What does growth hormone decrease?
Insulin sensitivity
What does growth hormone increase?
Free fatty acids and protein building.
Why does Glycosuria occur with unmanaged Diabetes?
Due to abnormally high blood sugar the body cannot absorb it all and it spills out in the urine. Urine may appear frothy.
What can glucose in the urine lead to?
Cystitis, due to glucose allow bacteria to thrive.
What is Polyuria?
Increased urination. This happens because the glucose in the urine pulls more water from the body into the nephrons of the kidney.
Why does polydipsia occur with unmanaged diabetes?
Due to more water being excreted in urine due to the high glucose level, the hypothalamic cells signal that the body needs more water and this causes excessive thirst.
Why does polyphagia occur with unmanaged diabetes?
The body cannot use the glucose that is available. This causes fatigue and the body thinks that it is starving and so it signals to the person to eat more.
Why is Lipolysis activated with unmanaged diabetes?
The body thinks that there is no energy or glucose, and therefore initiates lipolysis which uses fat as energy. The body goes into ketosis because of the use of fat as energy.
Why does acidosis occur with unmanaged diabetes?
The ketones that are a result from lipolysis cannot be cleared from the body and muscles starts to be broken down for energy and a state of acidosis begins because the waste products of ketones, proteins and glucose are acidic. This leads to elevated BUN and protein in urine.
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Chronic condition where the body have difficulty in breaking down blood sugar.
The body may not produce enough insulin (type 1)
Body gotten resistant to insulin effect (type 2)
What happens if diabetes is left untreated?
Heart disease, Kidney damage and nerve problems.
What are the most common signs of Diabetes?
Glucose in urine and fasting glucose greater than 126 mg/dl
What are the Characteristics of Diabetes Mellitus?
○Complex disturbances in metabolism
○Affects carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
What are some clinical signs of Diabetes Mellitus?
- Hyperglycemia (fasting blood sugar level greater than 126 mg/dL)
- Glycosuria (the presence of sugar in the urine)
What are the long term risk of Diabetes Mellitus ?
vascular damage due to glucose in vessels
What are 6 symptoms of diabetes mellitus?
- Increased thirst
- Slow- healing cuts and sores
- fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained wight loss
What are 6 disorders that are associated with Diabetes?
Atherosclerosis
Retinopathy
Neuropathies - nerve damage
Nephropathy
Infections
Foot ulcers
Explain Atherosclerosis
Plaque build up in blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Explain Retinopathy.
Can cause loss of vision as tiny vessels in the eye are narrowed and closed
Explain Neuropathies.
Affect nerves in the feet and legs and progressive changes in other nerves as the oxygen is cut off. This causes motor and sensory changes as well & foot ulcers are common and poor circulation and nerve damage lead to decreased wound healing and decreased ability to feel pain, which makes it harder to detect infection.
Explain Nephropathy.
Damage to the glomerulus impairs the kidneys ability to filter blood and infections become more frequent due to reduced blood flow and immune function.
Explain Infections r/t diabetes
Increases in frequency and severity due to decreased blood flow and altered neutrophil function
Explain Foot ulcers r/t diabetes.
Decreased wound healing due to vascular insufficiency; unnoticed wounds and infections due to
neuropathy decreasing perception of pain.
What are the different classifications of Diabetes Mellitus.
- Type 1, Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)
- Type 2, Non–Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)
- Diabetes due to other causes
- Gestational Diabetes
Explain Type 1 Diabetes.
○Usually a rapid onset; seen in younger people, usually around 5-7 yrs old and before 20 yrs old
○Caused by autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas and they are unable to produce insulin.
○Patients need insulin replacement
Explain Type 2 Diabetes.
○Usually occurs in mature adults
○Has a slow and progressive onset
○Decreased insulin sensitivity in peripheral cells (insulin resistance)
Influenced by genetics as well as lifestyle factors.
Explain how diabetes can be caused due to other things.
○Hyperglycemia secondary to other causes
○Medications (i.e. corticosteroids), cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis
Explain Gestational Diabetes.
Diagnosed in 2nd-3rd trimester. Pregnancy itself puts the body at risk of developing gestational diabetes. the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of the pregnancy leading to higher blood sugar levels.
Hormones released by placenta can interfere with insulin action and cause insulin resistance.
May lead to large babies and babies may have difficulty managing blood sugar once born.
What are 9 s&s of Hyperglycemia?
●Fatigue
●Lethargy
●Irritation
●Glycosuria
●Polyuria - can case dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
●Polyphagia
●Polydipsia
●Frequent infections
●Poor wound healing
What are 4 signs of impending dangerous complications of Hyperglycemia?
●Fruity breath as the ketones build up in the system and are excreted through the lungs
●Dehydration as fluid and important electrolytes are lost through the kidneys
●Fast, deep respirations (Kussmaul’s respirations) as the body tries to rid itself of high acid levels
●Loss of orientation and coma
What are Kussmaul’s respirations?
Fast deep breathing using accessory muscles will happen as the body is trying to blow off excess carbon dioxide to balance pH levels.
What is blood sugar levels for Hypoglycemia?
Less than 70 mg/dl