Diabetes Flashcards
What organ is associated with diabetes and is considered a gland?
The pancreas
Where is the pancreas located?
Upper abdomen behind the stomach.
True or false; the pancreas is considered both and endocrine and exocrine gland?
true
Why is the pancreas considered an exocrine gland?
It secretes digestive enzymes through ducts into the digestive tract.
Why is the pancreas considered an endocrine gland?
It secretes insulin directly into the blood.
What is the major function of the pancreas as an exocrine gland?
It secretes digestive juices into the intestines to aid in the breakdown of food.
What is the major function of the pancreas as an endocrine gland?
It secretes insulin which allows sugar to enter the cells of the body where it becomes a source of energy.
What disease is a result of the malfunction of the pancreas?
Diabetes mellitus
Why is diabetes mellitus considered a dysfunction of the endocrine system?
The portion of the pancreas associated with insulin production is considered an endocrine gland.
True or false; diabetes is also considered a genetic disorder?
True, there is a genetic predisposition to developing the disease.
How does the problem of diabetes develop?
The presence of more than one gene and environmental factors.
What are the two types of diabetes?
Type 1 - insulin dependent “juvenile”
Type 2 - non-insulin dependent “adult”
Which type of diabetes is the most common?
Type 2
What environmental factors can predispose an individual to the devlopment of diabetes?
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Stress (trauma, infection, hypoxia, and fever)
True or false; Type 1 diabetes is considered a polygenic disorder?
True, since several genes are thought to be needed to produce the disorder plus environmental factors.
Which type of diabetes is associated with viral infections and can be considered a type of autoimmune disease?
Type 1
Why can Type 1 diabetes be considered an autoimmune disease?
Viral infections cause the productions of antibodies which in turn attack islet cells of the pancreas. This attack causes insulin production to stop.
True or false; insulin- dependent (type 1) patients have more chance of developing other autoimmune diseases the the general population?
true
True or false, insulin dependent diabetics lack insulin and need daily injections of insulin in order to live?
True
What is insulin?
A hormone, needed to allow sugar molecules to pass through cell membranes where it is burned as an energy source.
In untreated type 1 diabetes what sources are used to burn energy?
Patients will burn fat and muscle tissue to keep their bodies going since they cannot use sugar.
What happens when the body metabolizes fat as an energy source?
It produces ketones.
If there is an accumulation of ketones what happens to the breath of untreated type 1 diabetics?
Causes them to have sweet, fruity smelling breath.
What happens to the sugar that cannot be used for energy in type 1 untreated diabetics?
The patient will have high levels of sugar in their blood and eventually that will spill over into their urine to be excreted.
Why do untreated type 1 diabetics experience dehydration?
The large amounts of sugar in the urine draw more of the body’s fluids into the urine through osmosis. This causes thirst.
What is another sypmtom of untreated type 1 diabetes?
Patient can have an increased appetite as well as a craving for sweets because there is a lack of sugar available in the cells as a source of energy.
What are the three classic signs of untreated insulin-dependent diabetes?
- polyuria (increased urine production)
- polydipsia (Increased thirst)
- polyphagia (increased hunger)
If left untreated- what can happen to a type 1 diabetic?
They can lapse into a coma and die.
What happens in there is too low a blood sugar level?
Rapid loss of consciousness (insulin shock)
What happens if there is too high a blood sugar level?
Nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, dehydration, loss of consciousness and death (diabetic coma)
True or false; type 1 diabetics should drink alcohol.
False
When should an appointment be made for a diabetic patient?
AFTER they have eaten.
What increases a need for insulin?
Stress
What treatment considerations should be made for a diabetic?
Healing time, and appointment times.
Why do many physicians want their diabetic patients to have prophylactic antibiotics before dental treatment?
Oral yeast infections are more common.
What is the most common type of diabetes?
Type 2
How are type 1 and type 2 diabetes the same?
There is an inability of sugar to pass through cell membranes into the cells where it can be burned as energy.
How is type 2 diabetes different from type 1?
Type 2 diabetics do have insulin in their bodies.
What are the two theories that explain what the problem is with type 2 diabetics?
- The insulin is insufficient for the amount of sugar in the blood.
- Tissues do not respond to the insulin that is there.
What is correlated with adult onset diabetes (type 2)?
Obesity
What percentage of people with diabetes type 2 are obese?
80%
What percentage of people with diabetes type 2 have a carbohydrate intolerance?
60%
What is it called when a woman who is pregnant becomes diabetic?
Gestational diabetes.
In type 2 diabetics how are high blood sugar levels detected?
Routine lab tests.
What are common symptoms of type 2 diabetics?
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Cramping of the feet/calves
- Blurring of vision
* common at night*
What is the major pathology associated with either type of diabetes?
Damage of the blood vessels of the body. Called atherosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis.
Gradually what will atherosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis cause?
Diminishing blood supply to various tissues and organs.
What is the most common cause of death in diabetics?
Myocardial infarction due to atherosclerosis.
What is the 2nd most common cause of death in diabetics?
Renal failure, due to damage to the blood vessels serving the kidneys causing kidney failure and thus renal failure.
What issues can occur if there is pathological destruction of the retina?
- Cataract formation
- Glaucoma
this can lead to loss of sight
Can the CNS and PNS be affected by atherosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis?
Yes, lesions of the small blood vessels are the same as the rest of the body.
If there is pathology in the CNS and PNS what is the result?
Loss of sensory and motor function in the lower extremities.
True or False; scheduling appointments around meals is NOT a problem as long as the patient is not taking insulin?
True.
Will a patient with type 2 diabetes become hypoglycemic?
Not to the point of causing a medical emergency.
What type of diabetes has a poorer response to infection and healing?
Insulin-dependent or Type 1
