Diabetes

Question 1

Provide a definition of diabetes mellitus

Answer 1

• a syndrome
• caused by lack/diminished insulin
• results in hyperglycaemia and changes to metabolism

Question 2

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 2

• body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin producing cells

Question 3

What is type 2 diabetes?

Answer 3

• the body does not produce enough insulin OR the body’s cells do not react to insulin

Question 4

What are the causes, ages and treatment options for type 1 diabetes?

Answer 4

• usually juvenile onset, but can occur at any age
• associated with autoimmune disease
• cause unknown
• PT always need insulin

Question 5

Which populations are effected by type 2 diabetes?

Answer 5

• older age group > 40 yo
• obese
• may require insulin eventually

Question 6

Which type of diabetes is more common?

Answer 6

• 90% of adults with diabetes have type 2

Question 7

Signs + Symptoms of acute type 2 diabetes

Answer 7

• ketoacidosis
• hyperventilation
• weight loss
• polyuria and polydipsia

Question 8

Signs + Symptoms of subacute type 2 diabetes

Answer 8

• ketoacidosis
• hyperventilation
• weight loss
• polyuria and polydipsia
• lethargy
• infection

Question 9

What are the complications of diabetes?

Answer 9

• infections
• neuropathy
• retinopathy
• arterial disease

Question 10

What causes secondary diabetes?

Answer 10

• drugs (steroids)
• pancreatic disease
• hemochromatosis (too much iron in blood)
• cystic fibrosis
• endocrine disease

Question 11

What is the test for diabetes and the levels?

Answer 11

• HbA1c normal < 42 mmol/mol (below 6%)
• prediabetes 42 <>47 mmol/mol (6-6.4%)
• diabetes 48 mmol/mol (6.5%+)

Question 12

What are the risk factors for type 1 diabetes

Answer 12

• unknown

Question 13

What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

Answer 13

• obesity
• physically inactive
• smoking
• unhealthy diet

Question 14

What medications are available?

Answer 14

• insulin
• oral hypoglycaemias (increase insulin secretion)
• metformin (increases insulin sensitivity)
• acarbose (slows down the breakdown of starch)

Question 15

What are the complications of diabetes?

Answer 15

• retinopathy
• diabetic foot
• neuropathy

Question 16

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Answer 16

• early stage: blood vessels weaken/bulge/leak => non-proliferation diabetic retinopathy
• late stage: blood vessels close => new blood vessels proliferate => proliferation diabetic retinopathy => new vessels impair vision

Question 17

What is diabetic macular oedema?

Answer 17

• swelling in macular => destroys sharp vision => partial vision loss/blindness

Question 18

What is glaucoma?

Answer 18

• group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve (increased pressure in the eye due to reduced drainage either in front or behind the lens of the eye)
• double changes of having glaucoma with diabetes

Question 19

What are the signs and symptoms of retinopathy/glaucoma?

Answer 19

• blurry vision
• poor colour vision
• frequently changing vision from day to day
• spots or dark string (floaters)
• dark areas of vision loss
• flashes of light

Question 20

What are the types of diabetic neuropathy?

Answer 20

• peripheral neuropathy
• autonomic neuropathy
• focal neuropathy
• proximal neuropathy