Diabetes Flashcards
What is Diabetes?
A chronic metabolic disorder
What organ produces the key hormones in controlling blood sugar?
Pancreas
Discuss the role of the pancreas in blood sugar regulation.
The pancreas, located posterior to the stomach and superior to the kidneys contains the islets of langerhans (Pancreatic Cells). These islets contain A cells and B cells which secrete the key hormones involved in blood sugar regulation.
What hormone is produced by the Alpha cells in the Pancreas?
Glucagon
What hormone is produced by the B cells in the Pancreatic cells?
Insulin
What does Glucagon do?
Released from the Alpha cells in the pancreas, Glucagon increases blood sugar by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen to glucose.
What does Insulin do?
Released from the Beta cells in the pancreas, Insulin decreases blood sugar by stimulating the uptake of glucose from the blood into the tissues for storage.
What is Cortisol?
Produced by the adrenal glands, Cortisol is the primary stress hormone. It is produced as part of the flight or flight response and results in an increased level of glucose in the blood. Adrenal crisis is caused due to a lack of Cortisol.
What are some of the key complications/ illnesses associated with diabetes?
MI, Stroke, Renal failure, vascular disease, nerve system damage, blindness
What occurs with diabetes?
Failure to produce (or desensitisation to) insulin and therefore an inability to naturally counteract hyperglycaemia.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Also called Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). Occurs as a result of a autoimmune disease that destroys the Beta cells responsible for synthesising insulin.
What is LADA diabetes?
A specific type of diabetes called Latent Autoimmune Disease of Adults. This is type 1 diabetes that occurs in adults usually over 35. LADA develops slowly and so is sometimes misdiagnosed as type 2.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This results when cells become desensitised to insulin and so respond poorly to it resulting in hyperglycaemia and also when insulin producing B cells get overworked and become less efficient.
This is usually caused by obesity/ unhealthy lifestyle.
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Ketoacidosis occurs when the lack of circulating insulin forces cells to use alternative sources of fuel for metabolism such as fatty acids. Ketones are a by product of this process and accumulation results in metabolic acidosis.
Ketoacidosis are often caused by steroids and inadequate insulin dosing. Newly diagnosed Type 1 often presents as DKA.
What is hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS)?
HHS occurs in people with type 2 diabetes who experience very high blood glucose levels over a period of weeks.
Presents as DKA without acidosis.
Hypovolemia is key indicator