Diabetes Flashcards
Define Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is a set of metabolic disorders in which defects in insulin secretion and/or action leads to Hyperglycaemia and disturbances in carb/protein/fat metabolism
What are the types of Diabetes?
Type 1 (Insulin Dependant DM) Type 2 - (Insulin Independant DM)
Maturity Onset Diabetes in the Young (MODY)
Secondary DM
Gestational Diabetes
What causes Type 1 diabetes?
Its an autoimmune condition in which lymphocytes infiltrate the islets of langerhans causing insulitis (destruction of beta cells that produce insulin)
Describe the genetic component of Type 1 Diabetes?
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes
How do we treat type 1 diabetes?
Daily insulin injections (as Peptide hormones don’t work orally)
What causes Type 2 diabetes?
Central Adiposity
- > Free FAs in blood
- > Decreased Insulin Receptor Sensitivity (Insulin Resistance)
NOrmally the body increases production of insulin to match the resistance, however in people with gene variants that code for Poor high end insulin secretion cant keep up and end up hyperglycaemic
How do you treat Type 2 Diabetes
1) If you can catch them in a pre-diabetic stage you can restore sensitivity through exercise and diet
2) Oral Hypoglycaemics e.g. Metformin
3) Sulphonylureas
4) Insulin injections
How do Type 2 Diabetes drugs work?
Oral Hypoglycaemics like metformin antagonise glucagon and inhibit gluconeogenesis to maintain a lower Glc level.
Sulphonylureas close K+ channels in beta cells, stimulating insulin secretion
Explain the OGTT:
Measure fasting glucose and compare to level 2 hours after ingesting a glucose load.
Normally blood [Glc] returns to normal within 1 hour but diabetics will still be elevated after 2
At what point in childhood does diabetes present?
At any point but mostly in adolescence
How do we diagnose childhood onset diabetes?
4Ts:
- Tired
- Thinner
- Thirsty
- Toileting more (incl return to day or bed wetting)
Then test with a finger prick glucose test
If suspected refer to a specialist for a same day review
Why is it so important to diagnose diabetes as quickly as possible?
Undiagnosed children can very easily go into Diabetic Ketoacidosis -> Coma -> Death
Many children present with diabetes in Diabetic Ketoacidosis, how do we spot this?
N&V Sweet Ketotic breath Drowsiness rapid deep sighing respiration (body is hyperventilating to clear CO2 and so raise the pH) Coma
How does diabetes affect the lifespan/mortality rate?
Diabetics have a 5-10 yr reduced life expectancy and twice the mortality rate (5.4% annually)
MIs are the most common cause of death
What are the long term complications of hyperglycaemia?
DM accelerates Atheroma leading to CAD, MIs & Stroke
Accelerates Arteriolar disease leading to Renal Disease, PVD and blindness