Diabetes Flashcards
Look at diagrams on slides
Look at diagrams on slides
Uses of blood glucose
Muscle storage for later use (glycogen)
Energy source for muscle and other tissues
Storage as fat (triglycerides)
Liver storage for later use (glycogen)
Energy for CNS and brain (60-70%)
Excretion in urine with high blood sugar (~>160mg/dL)
Regulation of blood glucose
Maintenance of blood glucose levels essential
Too high: release of water from tissues due to osmotic pressure: dehydration, death
Too low: lack of fuel to produce ATP
-brain depends on glucose as fuel (can’t use fats etc.) –> coma
-RBCs low on ATP; can’t provide oxygen to tissues –> death
Low blood sugar –>
alpha cells in pancreas respond
- release glucagon
- stimulates liver to break down glycogen and release glucose into blood
- normal blood glucose achieved
High blood sugar –>
Beta cells in pancreas respond
- release insulin
- stimulates muscles and fat cells to take glucose from blood
- normal blood glucose achieved
Diabetes origin
From latin - siphon
From Greek - a passing through (reference to excessive urination)
Recognised for 2000 years
Originally diagnosed by sweet taste of urine
Known as Pissing Evil in 17th century
Blood glucose levels fasting
Normal fasting conditions: 3-5 mmol/l
Diabetic fasting conditions: 4-7 mmol/l
Blood glucose after a meal
Normal: less than 10 mmol/l 90 min post food
Diabetes: >20 mmol/l
Diabetes mellitus
Metabolic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism
Characteristic: hyperglycaemia (> blood glucose)
High morbidity and mortality
Macrovascular complications
Stroke Heart disease -atherosclerosis -endothelial dysfunction -hypertension -procoagulant state -antifibrinolitic state -vascular inflammation Peripheral vascular disease
Microvascular complications
Retinopathy -macular edema -capillary nonperfusion -angiogenesis -haemorrhage -glaucoma Nephropathy -damaged glomeruli -hyperfiltration -renal damage Peripheral neuropathy -nerve damage -ulceration -necrosis Foot problems
Symptoms of diabetes
Blurry vision > thirst and need to urinate Feeling tired or ill Recurring skin, gum, bladder infections Dry, itchy skin Unexpected weight loss Slow healing cuts and bruises Loss of feeling or tingling feeling in feet
Types of diabetes
Type I (insulin dependent)
Type II
Gestational diabetes
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG)
Type I diabetes
Chronic (generally) childhood disease
Affects 18-20 per 100,000 children in UK
Sometimes associated with thyroid disease
Genetic susceptibility shown
Linked to viral infection (e.g. congenital rubella syndrome)
Type I diabetes science behind
Lack of insulin production Thought to be autoimmune mediated disorder -affects islets of Langerhans -beta cells killed by antibodies Therefore, lack of insulin production Most cases <40
Type 2 diabetes
Non-insulin dependent/ adult-onset diabetes
Genetic disposition + environment
Type 2 diabetes causes
Genetic disposition:
-multiple genetic susceptibility –> primary beta-cells defect –> damaged/ inadequate insulin secretion
-multiple genetic susceptibility –> periphery insulin resistance –> inadequate uptake
Environment: obesity
—–> hyperglycaemia + free fatty acids –> type 2 diabetes
Insulin resistance
Lack of insulin results in low glucose in cells i.e. cells do not take up glucose
Insulin resistance –>
- ->liver: produces glucose from stored glycogen –> slow to replenish glycogen –> glucose not taken by cells and blood glucose increases
- ->skeletal muscle: < glycogen storage and use of glucose –> glucose not taken by cells and blood glucose increases
- -> fatty tissue: fat broken down and use as energy source –> > fatty acids as some insulin in present, normal fatty acid metabolism occurs and no ketones are produced
Type 2 diabetes main symptoms
- Polyuria: frequent urination due to osmotic diuresis
- Polydisia: > thirst and > fluid intake due to polyuria
- Polyphagia: > appetite
Type 2 diabetes other symptoms
Dry mouth, itchiness, > incidence of thrush, cramps, skin infections
Gestational diabetes
2-5% of all pregnancies
Onset in late 2nd trimester (20-28 weeks)