Diabetes Flashcards
Which type of diabetes is associated with insulin resistance?
Type 2
Which type of diabetes destroys the beta cell function of the pancreas?
Type 1
In response to the glucose load, the [ ] cells of the pancreas secrete the hormone insulin.
Beta
Where can glucose not immediately taken up by cells for fuel be stored?
Liver or muscles
What is glucose that isn’t immediately used stored as?
Glycogen, or converted to triglycerides
Where are triglycerides stored?
Adipose tissue
What is responsible for regulating both the storage and utilisation of glucose as required?
Hormones
Where are the receptors located that sense blood glucose levels?
Pancreas
What do the pancreatic cells secrete to maintain normal blood glucose levels?
Glucagon or insulin
Which micronutrient is the only one that causes a direct impact on glucose levels?
Carbohydrates
What are the 2 hormones that maintain homeostasis of blood glucose called?
Insulin and glucagon
Why does diabetes occur?
Due to glucose not leaving the bloodstream and entering the body cells
What is Type 1 diabetes?
An autoimmune disease destroying Beta cell function in the pancreas, thus preventing insulin production
What is Type 2 diabetes?
A result of a lack of insulin production, or because the insulin produced is unable to be used effectively sye to cell resistance
What are the 3 sources from which glucose is derived?
- Intestinal absorption of dietary carbohydrates
- Glycogen breakdown in muscles, liver, other tissues and cells
- Glucigenesis: formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors such as amino acids (from proteins) and glycerol (from fats)
Where is the pancreas located?
Posterior to the bottom half of the stomach
What hormones do the pancreatic islets release?
Glucagon, insulin, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide
What happens when there is a decline in blood glucose levels?
- alpha cells secrete the hormone glucagon.
- liver is then stimulated to convert glycogen stores into glucose through glycogenolysis. Glucose is then released into the circulation for use by body cells.
- liver is then stimulated to take up amino acids from blood and convert them into glucose through gluconeogenesis
- lipolysis is stimulated, where stored triglycerides are broken down into free fatty acids and glycerol. Some of the glycerol released into bloodstream travels to the liver and is converted into glucose
How is the activity of glucagon regulated?
Through negative feedback mechanisms
What is hypoglycaemia?
When blood sugar levels are too low (under 4 mmol/l)
What is a healthy target for blood sugar?
Between 4 and 7 mmol/l
What is hyperglycaemia?
When blood sugar is too high (above 7 mmol/l)
What is lipohypertrophy?
Fatty lumps which appear under the skin
What should you use to treat a patient with diabetes, who is having a hypoglycaemia event, if they are fully conscious with the ability to cooperate fully with instructions and their swallow reflex is intact?
15-20g of fast acting carbohydrate as:
- 1 x 60mL bottle of Lift/GlucoJuice
- 200mL pure smooth fruit juice
- 5 x Lift Glucotabs
- 6 x dextrose tablets
- 5 large jelly babies
- 2 x tubes of 40% glucose gel
