Diabetes and Hyperglycemia Flashcards
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
• a serious complication of diabetes • result of elevated levels of ketones in the blood
• mostly found in Type 1 diabetics
• insulin deficiency is the most common cause of diabetic complications
Main abnormalities for DKA
• hyperglycaemia
• ketoacidosis
• ketonuria
Early Signs and Symptoms of DKA
• frequent urination
• increased thirst
• blurred vision
• fatigue
• headache
Later signs of DKA
• fruity-smelling breath
• nausea and vomiting
• Kussmauls breathing
• dry mouth
• weakness
• confusion
• coma
• abdominal pain
What is Hyperglycaemia
• Medical term for high blood sugar
Who can Hyperglycaemia affect
• pregnant women with gestational diabetes
• people with Type 1 diabetes and type 2
• rare, but people who are seriously ill, for example recent stroke, heart attack or severe infection
Factors contributing to Hyperglycaemia
• not using enough insulin or oral diabetes medication
• not injecting insulin properly or using expired insulin
• being inactive
• having an illness or infection
• using certain medications such as steroids
• being injured or having surgery
• experiencing emotional stress (family conflict, workplace challenges
What is lactic acid
• a biochemical end product of anaerobic respiration that accumulates, further contributing to the acidosis
What is metabolic acidosis
Excess acidic products in circulatory volume due to
Underproduction of bicarbonate
Ineffective circulation and respiration
Stress & insulin deficiency combined with increased insulin regulatory hormones and peripheral insulin resistance lead to:
• hyperglycaemia
• dehydration
• ketosis
• electrolyte imbalance
Insulin and excess glucagon is required for DKA to develop, these promote:
• glucogenisis
• glycogongenisis
• ketone body formation in the liver
• increased mobilisation of substrates from fat and muscle
What is ketosis
• result from excessive fatty acid release from fat stores with resulting ketone body synthesise in the liver
What is Hypoglycaemia
• a condition which blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal. Glucose is the body’s main energy source.
Early Signs and symptoms of Hypoglycaemia
• sweating
• feeling tired
• dizziness
• feeling hungry
• tingling lips
• feeling shaky or trembling
• palpitations
• easily irritated or anxious
• turning pale
Later signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia
• weakness
• Blurred vision
• confusion or difficulty concentrating
• unusual behaviour, slurred speech or clumsiness
• sleepy
• collapsing or passing out
