BOD L1 Introduction to Diabetes Flashcards
Aims - To understand the cells, tissues and hormones involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, and how these can be controlled in the treatment and management of diabetes. LO - -Describe the different types of diabetes -Describe some of the structures and chemical changes involved in glucose regulation within the body -Explain how diabetes is diagnosed -Describe the treatment and management of diabetes
What is the cause of diabetes?
High glucose concentration in blood
What is type 1 diabetes?
Autoimmune disease, body produces no insulin. Pancreatic beta cells are destroyed by immune cells.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Acquired, late-onset diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is produced by the body, or when the body comes resistant to the insulin produced. Strong association with obesity/sedentary lifestyle.
How can type 1 diabetes be treated?
In simple form with lack of beta cells, simple insulin injections can manage the disease.
How can type 2 diabetes be controlled?
Early stages can be reversed by healthy diet and monitoring blood glucose levels. Later progression may need insulin medication.
Can type 1 diabete develop later in life?
Yes, Latent Autoimmune disease in Adults (LADA). Milder version of diabetes. Not as aggressive as T1. Antibodies against beta cells produced and detected in blood.
What form of diabetes is familial linked?
MODY - Mature Onset Diabetes of the Young. Caused by single mutation in gene (e.g. HNF1alpha, HNF4alpha, HNF1beta). If parent has this mutation, child has 50% chance of inheriting and will develop MODY before they are 25.
What is the Orcal Glucose Tolerance Test used for?
The OGTT is the initial diabetes test that is used to investiagate diabetes in a patient. Normal blood glucose is measured after 3 days of normal diet/activity, then measured again after an overnight fast 8-14 hours. Then subject drinks 75g glucose in 300ml of water over 5 mins and blood samples are analysed 2 hours after this.
What is impaired glucose tolerance?
What is impaired fasting glucose?
Pre-diabetic, probably going to develop T2 diabetes.
Potentially pre-diabetic, but handling disease well
The OGTT has its limitations as it reflects a short time period. What is the test used that measures average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months?
The HbA1c test (glycosylated haemoglobin).
Haemaglobin glycosylation occurs at a variable rate over time over lifespan of rbc over lifetime (120days).
Therefore % of glycosylated haemoglobin is representive of last 120 days.
Define hypoglycaemia
Blood glucose levels too low.
May be as a result of diabetic taking too much insulin. Corrected by intake of carbohydrate.
Define hyperglycaemia
High blood glucose. The sugar is in the blood but doesn’t enter cells and causes cells to enter ketoacidosis with breakdown of protein and fats.
What is ketoacidosis?
In the absence of available glucose for cells, fats and proteins are metabolished for energy. Leads to build up of toxic waste products such as ketones and causes blood acidosis.
Can be rapid on set and requires emergency hospital admission.
Is the most common cauce of death in children and adults aged under 40 with diabetes.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Formation of large blood vessels in eyes which can hemorrhage and damage eyes.
Leading cause of blindness in working population of western world.
80-100% of diabetics will have some form of DR after 20 years.
What are the long term damaging effects on the body of hyperglycaemia
Heart disease and stroke.
Nerve damage
Retinopathy
Kindney disease
Foot problems
