Diabetes

Question 1

What is the difference between type I and type II diabetes?

Answer 1

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. It often starts in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong insulin therapy. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is primarily characterized by insulin resistance, where the body’s cells don’t respond effectively to insulin. It typically develops in adulthood and can often be managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin. Type 2 diabetes is also closely linked to factors like obesity and physical inactivity.

Question 1

What is the cause of Type I diabetes in college students?

Answer 1

• BMI increase
• Viral infection (HEVs, human Enteroviruses)
• Bacteria infection, activate “killer T cells”
• Other factors causing an autoimmune increase
  All these destroy the insulin-producing cells.

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?

Answer 2

The 3 P’s:
- polyurea: when the level of blood glucose is more than 9 mmol/l, glucosuria arises;
- polydipsia: as more water is excreted - more water intake is needed;
- polyphagia: increased catabolic activity of the body and as a result lack of energy.

Common signs and symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound healing, and tingling or numbness in the extremities.

Question 3

Where is insulin produced and what type of cell is responsible for insulin production?

Answer 3

Insulin is produced in the pancreas, and Langerhans cells are responsible fo insulin production.

Question 4

What is the fasting plasma glucose test?
Glucose tolerance test?
Hb1AC test?

Answer 4

• Fasting plasma glucose test: you won’t eat for 8 hours, then measure your blood glucose level
  *Normal < 100 mg/dL
  *Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL *Diabetes: = or > 126 mg/dL
• GTT: in this test, you start with an overnight fast and then drink a sugary solution (75g). Blood glucose levels are measured at intervals afterward. It’s used to diagnose gestational diabetes and can also identify impaired glucose tolerance. A two-hour blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher is considered diagnostic for diabetes. A normal level is <140mg/dL, and prediabetes is 140-199mg/dL.
• Hb1AC test:
  The Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It provides a long-term view of blood glucose control.
  Glucose bound to hemoglobin
  The higher your blood sugar levels, the higher % of glycohemoglobin
  Glycohemoglobin A1c:
• Normal 4.5%-5.7%
• Prediabetes 5.7%-6.4%

Question 5

How does diabetes cause health complications?

Answer 5

High blood sugar damages blood vessels and the nerves, in the following way:
- Sugar sticks to the hemoglobin;
- Jaggs red blood cells;
- Impeding blood flow;
- Promote fat deposit;
- Damage the blood vessels