Diabetes

Question 1

Explain Type 1 Diabetes in Layman’s terms

Answer 1

Your pancreas does not produce enough of a hormone cause insulin, which helps glucose enter your cells that your body uses for energy. Without it your body cannot function properly and your blood sugar levels become too high

Question 2

Insulin therapy key counselling points

Answer 2

• Explain treatment regimen: Basal (steady background control) and Bolus - taken before meals to cover food intake
• Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy and cutaneous amyloidosis : aim for fatty parts abdomen, thigh, upper arm
• Monitor carbohydrate intake and blood sugar readings and tailor doses based on this, adjust insulin doses during illness
• Keep unopened insulin in the fridge, opened vials can be stored at room temp for 28 days

Question 3

Signs of hypoglycaemia and how to treat

Answer 3

Reduced blood sugar
- Sweating, dizziness, shaking, hunger, confusion
- Take a fast acting carb e.g juice, haribo or glucose tablets and recheck blood sugar after 15 mins
- If still low call 111

Question 4

Long term complications of type 1 diabetes

Answer 4

• Eye problems (retinopathy)
• Kidney disease (nephropathy)
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• CV disease -> eyes kidneys feet bp regularly checked

Question 5

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

Answer 5

• Peeing more than usual
• Increased thirst
• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Blurred vision
• Breath that smells fruity or sweet
• Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
• Getting frequent infections like thrush
• Develops much quicker
• More frequently seen in younger people

Question 6

Referral criteria in Type 1 Diabetes

Answer 6

Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis
- symptoms getting worse quickly
- diarrhoea, stomach pain, feeling sick
- feeling sleepy or confused
- breathing faster or more deeply than usual

Question 7

Explain Type 2 Diabetes in Layman’s terms

Answer 7

• Your body does not make enough insulin or your body/cells are unresponsive to it (insulin resistance)
• Therefore, glucose does not enter cells and can cause high blood sugar levels - which can cause complications if not controlled

Question 8

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

Answer 8

• Some people may have no symptoms initially
• Same as Type 1

Question 9

Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Answer 9

• Exercise and healthy diet
• Lose weight
• Stop smoking
• Medication = metformin -> have to gradually increase the dose to prevent side effects (max 2g)

Question 10

How to prevent long-term complications in type 2 diabetes?

Answer 10

• Eye exams
• Kidney function tests
• Foot checks
• Blood pressure and cholesterol (heart disease risk)
• Maintaining good blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of complications