DIABETES Flashcards
What is diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which a person in unable to
regulate his blood glucose level.
What is a diabetic persons glucose level
a diabetic person’s glucose level is ≥200mg/dL 2 hours after glucose test and ≥126mg/dL after a fasting glucose test
As a result of high blood glucose levels
As a result of such high blood glucose levels, glucose is excreted by
the kidneys and is present in urine
What are the 2 types of diabetes mellitus
There are 2 types of Diabetes Mellitus: Type I and Type II
Characteristics of type 1(7)
1)Also known as juvenile diabetes
2)Affects about 10% of diabetics
3)Caused by the inability of the body to produce insulin
4)This can be the result of loss of β cells in pancreas, sometimes due to an
autoimmune disease
5)Can be triggered by some infections
6)Genetically linked (but there is a stronger pattern of inheritance for Type II)
7)Patients are usually dependent on insulin
Characteristics of type 2
Also known as adult onset diabetes
Affects about 90% of diabetics
Caused by the insulin resistance
The body either resists the effects of insulin produced OR there is not enough insulin produced to have the desired effect of lowering glucose levels sufficiently
Patents are not insulin dependent
What are risk factors of type 2
Risk factors include: family history, obesity, age ≥45yrs, gestational diabetes, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), race-African, Hispanic, American-Indian, Asian, low levels of physical activity, unhealthy diet-low in fibre, low in polyunsaturated fats, high in saturated fat, higher mean glycaemic index*
Symptoms of both types
Frequent urination, extreme hunger, unintended weight loss,
irritability and mood changes, fatigue and weakness, blurred vision esp at night
COMPLICATIONS BOTH TYPES:
Nerve damage, kidney damage, diabetic
retinopathy(damage to blood vessels in retina in eye), poor blood flow to feet (sometimes leads to amputation)
COMPLICATIONS TYPE I:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (muscle cells become starved
for energy, body breaks down fat, toxic acids called ketones produced, can lead to coma in severe cases)
COMPLICATIONS TYPE II:
Hearing impairment, skin conditions eg bacterial and
fungal infections, Alzheimer’s
what should a pregnant woman do to reduce the risk of her child developing diabetes later in life
A pregnant woman should have adequate nutrients to reduce the risk of her child developing diabetes later in life
how to reduce type 1
Some research has suggested that breastfeeding decreases the risk later in life
Some children treated with vitamin B3 has less than half the diabetes onset incidence in a 7 year time span as did the general population
How to reduce the risk of type 2
Changes in diet-eating foods low on glycaemic index, diets low in saturated fats and trans fatty acids but higher in unsaturated fats, low/moderate alcohol intake
Maintaining a healthy weight
Increased physical activity
