diabetes

Question 1

What is the definition of diabetes?

Answer 1

A long term metabolic disorder characterised by increased blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia)

Question 2

What is the process when the blood glucose levels rise?

Answer 2

1. Insulin is released from the pancreas
2. Glucose enters the cells and increases metabolism. Glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen
3. Blood glucose levels fall

Question 3

What is the process when the blood glucose levels fall?

Answer 3

1. Glycogen is released from the pancreas
2. Glycogen is broken down into glucose. Glucose is released into the blood from the liver
3. Blood glucose levels rise

Question 4

What is the prevalence of Type 1 diabetes?

Answer 4

10% of those who have diabetes have type 1
Usually occurs in childhood

Question 5

What is the onset of type 1 diabetes?

Answer 5

Onset is usually rapid

Question 6

How is type 1 diabetes treated?

Answer 6

It can only be treated with insulin

Question 7

What are the causes of type 1 diabetes?

Answer 7

• viral illnesses in early childhood
• foods such as eggs, cows milk and root vegetables when eaten as young babies
• genetics - 10% of people have a close family member with type 1 diabetes
• an Auto immune disease which destroys the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin
• insulin is no longer produced or in such small amounts that there is no effect

Question 8

Define type 2 diabetes?

Answer 8

A long term metabolic disorder characterised by;
- high blood glucose
- resistance to insulin
- relative lack of insulin

Question 9

What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

Answer 9

• high body mass (obese)
• waist circumference (over 80cm in woman, over 94cm in men)
• family history
• pre existing cardiovascular disease
• ethnicity

Question 10

What organ produces insulin and glucagon?

Answer 10

Pancreas

Question 11

What is the tissue in the endocrine system that is responsible for releasing insulin and glucagon?

Answer 11

Islets of Langerhans

Question 12

what is HbA1c?

Answer 12

a glycated hemoglobin test
your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months.
should be tested annually or every 3-6 months

Question 13

what is the normal range for an HbA1c test for someone with diabetes?

Answer 13

48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below

Question 14

what is the normal range for an HbA1c test for someone at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

Answer 14

42mmol/mol (6%).

Question 15

why is HbA1c relevant to someone with diabetes?

Answer 15

lets your healthcare team know if they need to change your treatment or medication to help you manage your levels better

Question 16

what is glycated haemoglobin?

Answer 16

itis made when the glucose (sugar) in your body sticks to your red blood cells.
Your body can’t use the sugar properly, so more of it sticks to your blood cells and builds up in your blood.
Red blood cells are active for around 2-3 months, which is why the reading is taken quarterly.