Chronic Conditions Associated with Diabetes

Question 1

What is Atherosclerosis and how does Diabetes cause it?

Answer 1

What is Atherosclerosis? The hardening of arteries due to build up of plaque

How does Diabetes cause it?

Diabetes= Increased Dyslipidemia = ­Increase in circulation of LDLs (cholesterol)

High levels of LDLs get into the arteries because…

Diabetes= ­Chronic hyperglycaemia:

= ­ Damage to endothelial cells (inner lining of arteries)

= ­ Diffusion of LDLs (cholesterol) into arteries

=­ Build up of LDLs in arteries leading to plaque development

Question 2

What is Peripheral Vascular Disease and how does diabetes cause it?

Answer 2

Peripheral vascular disease= Narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs

How Diabetes causes it= Diabetes→ Atherosclerosis→ Plaque build up in peripheral nerves→ Decreased blood flow to legs & feet

Question 3

Diabetes can increase the risk of developing Athersclerosis. Atherosclerosis can then cause several other conditions. Name 3 of them & briefly explain each-

Answer 3

Atherosclerosis can cause:

• Peripheral vascular disease- the narrowing/blockage of vessels that carry blood to the legs & feet
• Arrhythmias- irregularities in electrical conduction of the heart. caused by reduced blood/oxygen supply to the heart causing ischaemia/injury
• Stroke- build up of plaque can cause a thrombus to form in the brain, or a thrombus in another part of the body which then becomes an emboli

Question 4

How does diabetes cause diabetic retinopathy & cataracts?

Answer 4

Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy & cataracts as chronic hyperglycaemia can damage vessels in the retina which can cause swelling

Question 5

How does diabetes cause neuropathy?

Answer 5

Diabetes can cause neuropathy (damage to nerves) as chronic hyperglycaemia can cause inflammation and damage to the nerve cells which can then reduce nerve signals

Question 6

How can diabetes cause incontinence?

Answer 6

Diabetes can cause incontinence as chronic hyperglycaemia means glucose is continuously excreted in the urine (glycosuria). this can damage the renal sphincters, cause irritation of the bladder and then bladder control

Question 7

How can diabetes cause UTIs?

Answer 7

Diabetes can cause neuropathy (inability to send nerve signals) of the bladder which can cause the bladder to be unable to be emptied fully, therefore increasing the amount of urine that stays in the bladder and can grow bacteria