Diabetes Flashcards
What is diabetes mellitus?
A condition where the body is unable to utilise glucose effectively due to an insulin deficiency or resistance
What are the symptoms of diabetes
- tiredness
- polyuria
- weight loss
- slow healing wounds
- sexual problems
- hunger
- blurred vision
- numb/tingling hands or feet
- thirst
- vaginal infections
What monitors blood glucose levels?
Hypothalamus
What happens when blood glucose is too high?
Pancreas releases insulin to convert glucose to glycogen for storage in the liver
What happens when blood glucose is too low?
Pancreas releases Glucagon to convert glycogen in the liver to glucose
Where is the pancreas located?
Upper abdomen, over the spine, behind the stomach
Which cells in the pancreas produce hormones?
Islets of Langerhans
Which cells produce glucagon?
Alpha cells
What does Glucagon do?
Converts glycogen to glucose
Which cells produce Insulin?
Beta cells
What is insulin?
Hormone which enables glucose to cross cell membranes.
Converts glucose to glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles
What is normal non-diabetic blood glucose range?
3.0-5.6mmol/L
What is type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
Due to destruction of pancreatic cells
Cause unknown
Genetic
Autoimmune
What is type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
Normally in obese patients
Onset over longer period
Age onset
What is gestational diabetes?
Occurs only during pregnancy
Body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy
