Diabetes Flashcards
Define diabetes
A condition that occurs when the body can’t use glucose normally
What is type 1 diabetes?
Autoimmune disease that causes the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas to be destroyed preventing the body from being able to produce enough insulin to adequately regulate blood glucose levels
Causes of type 1 diabetes
A fault in the body immune response in which the immune system kills beta cells
2 tests to diagnose type 1 diabetes
- Keytone testing
2. C peptide test
What are keytones?
They are made when the body breaks down proteins. Short term it is a way that the body has of dealing with a situations where it has no other way to gain energy. Long term they can build up which is damaging
Symptoms of keytoacidosis
Nausea Vomiting Abdo pain Shortness of breath Thirst Polyuria Fatigue Dramatic weight loss Blurred vision
Keytone test results
0-0.6mmols = normal 0.6-1.5mmols = developing a problem 1.5-3mmols = moderately high and in need of correction dose of insulin 3-5mmols = significantly high and ketotic. This person can become critically ill very quickly
What is a C Peptide test?
Blood test carried out to find out how much insulin the body is producing. Useful for determining type 1 or 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
How is a C Peptide test carried out?
- Fast for 8-12 hours before test
2. Sample of blood is taken
What is a simulated C Peptide test?
If the test is to diagnose type 1 or 2 diabetes an injection of insulin may be given between two blood samples to stimulate insulin production
C Peptide normal test results
0.51-2.72 ng/ml or 0.17-0.90 nmol/L
Low C Peptide levels and high blood glucose indicates…
Type 1 diabetes
High C Peptide levels and low blood glucose indicates…
Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes
Thirst Tiredness Urinating regularly Unexpected weight loss Genital itchiness
Treatment of type 1 diabetes
- Insulin treatment with insulin pen or pump
2. Education on how to balance insulin with diet and activity and how to use blood glucose testing to control diabetes
Short term complications of type 1 diabetes
- Keytoacidosis
2. Hypoglycaemia
What is hypoglycaemia?
Occurs when blood sugar levels fall below 4mmol/L
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia
Sweating Fatigue Dizziness Pale Weak Increased HR Blurred vision Loss of consciousness Confusion Convulsions Coma
Causes of hypoglycaemia
Alcohol
Too much insulin
Diagnosis of hypoglycaemia
Measuring blood sugar levels using glucose meter
Treatment of hypoglycaemia
Mild = give quick acting carbs, repeat 10-15 mins later, if less than 4mmol/L Severe= glucagon IV or IM
Long term complications of type 1 diabetes
Heart disease Stroke Retinopathy Kidney disease Neuropathy
What is type 2 diabetes?
Metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycaemia
Causes of type 2 diabetes
- Insulin not effectively used by the cells in the body
2. Ineffective use of insulin = insulin resistance causing hyperglycaemia
What is insulin resistance?
Body becomes resistant to norma levels of insulin
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
Excessive thirst Frequent urination Increased hunger Tiredness Sudden loss of muscle mass
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
Overweight
Unhealthy diet and inactivity
Strong genetic factor
>35 years
Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
Fasting plasma glucose test
Oral glucose tolerance test
Treatment of type 2 diabetes
Diet modification and exercise
Medication
Complications of type 2 diabetes
Heart disease Stroke Neuropathy Retinopathy Nephropathy
What is hyperglycaemia?
High blood glucose levels:
- levels > 7mmol/L when fasting
- levels > 11mmol/L 2 hours after meal
Causes of hyperglycaemia
- Underlying cause = loss of insulin producing cells in pancreas or insulin resistance
- Immediate cause:
- Missing dose of medication or insulin
- Too many carbs
- Stress
- Infection
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Increased urination Tiredness Weight loss Increased thirst Blurred vision
Complications on hyperglycaemia
- Keytoacidosis
2. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome
What is hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state?
Blood sugar levels rise to >50mmol/L and ketones ++
Warning signs of HHS
BG >50mmol/L Increased thirst Dry skin High fever Sleepiness or confusion Loss of vision Hallucinations Weakness Coma Dark urine
Treatment of HHS
- Correct dehydration to improve BP, urine output and circulation
- IV fluids and potassium
- Insulin
What are the effects of pregnancy on diabetes?
- Fall in glucose tolerance as gestation advances
- Nausea + vomiting make glycemic control difficult
- More frequent hypoglycaemia
- Deterioration on neuropathy and hypertension
What are the effects of diabetes on pregnancy?
- Increased risk of poor outcome
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Increased risk on preeclampsia
- Increased risk of infection
- Increased risk of LCSC
What are the effects of diabetes on the fetus?
- Increased risk of congenital abnormalities
- Increased mortality rates
- Increased risk of IUD
- Increased morbidity
- Maternal hyperglycaemia leads to feta hyperglycaemia = pancreatic hyperplasia = metal hyperinsulinanaemia
What makes a woman at high risk of GDM?
- Previous GDM
- Family history
- Previous large for dates baby
- High BMI
- Ethnicity
What is the screening test for diabetes in pregnancy?
Times sampling oral glucose tolerance test
- 16-18 weeks if previous GDM + repeat at 28 weeks if result normal
- 24-28 weeks for other high risk women
What is the antenatal obstetric care for pre existing diabetes during pregnancy?
- Early scan
- 11-13 week nuchal translucency screening
- 18-20 week metal cardiology scan
- Anomaly scan
- Regular growth scans 28, 32, 36 weeks
What is the antenatal midwifery care for pre existing diabetes during pregnancy?
Full hospital care: - 6 - 10 week booking - 1 - 2 week diabetic reviews - 2-4 weeks antenatal reviews Monitor for signs of: - Preeclampsia - UTI - IUGR Plan timing/ mode of delivery Anaesthetic assessment in 3rd trimester
What is the intrapartum care for preexisting diabetes during pregnancy?
- Neonatal resus equipment and skills available
- Inform obstetric and diabetic teams
- Iv access and bloods
- Continuous sliding scale
- Check glucose level
- Test all urine passed
- Consider antacids
- Normal labour obs
- Reduce rate of insulin IVI in 3rd stage
IOL for pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy
- Usual insulin dose evening before
- Breakfast and morning dose of rapid acting insulin
- Prostaglandin get and continuous CTG
- Commence sliding scale once in established labour
- Hourly BG monitoring
Elective LSCS for pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy
- Usual insulin evening before
- Check instructions for diabetic team
- Omit morning insulin
- Check BG early morning
- If BG
What is gestational diabetes?
Carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset during present pregnancy
- Usually symptomless
- Develops in 2nd or 3rd trimester
What is the cause of GDM?
Changes in carb metabolism and insulin resistance
How is GDM diagnosed?
- On routine screening
- When investigation large for dates baby, polyhydramnios, glycosuria
What are the complications of GDM?
- Perinatal morbidity and mortality
- Increased risk of metal macrosomia
- Increased risk of pre-eclampsia
- Women have an increased risk of developing type 2 in 10-15 years
What is the intrapartum and postpartum care of GDM?
- May not need insulin during labour
- Sliding scale
- Stop insulin when placenta delivered
- Insulin requirements rapidly return to pre pregnancy levels postpartum
- PN oral GTT at 6 weeks and counselling
What is the later PN care for GDM?
- Lifestyle advise
- Fasting BG at 6 weeks
- Annual fasting BG
Diabetes and pregnancy and the neonate
- Babies should be kept with their mothers unless a clinical complication
- Do not transfer home unless 24 hours old, feeding well and maintaining BG levels
- Prevent hypoglycaemia with early feeds and warmth
- Check BG routinely every 2-4 hours and the 4 hourly for first 24 hours
- Aim for BG >2.5mmol/L
- If BG low check after feed and if still low inform paed
- If
What are the signs of neonatal hypoglycaemia?
- Jittery
- Hypothermia
- Poor feeding
- Poor tone
What are the actions for neonatal hypoglycaemia?
- Well clothes and warm
- Regular feeds
- Skin to skin