Diabetes Mellitus Flashcards
Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1 or 2, a syndrome of disorders of glucose metabolism resulting in hyperglycemia
Type 2
Develops later in life
Pancreas makes insulin– not enough to keep up with needs
May go years w/o diagnosis
Insulin resistance
Type 1
Early life
Result of autoimmune destruction of beta cells
Without replacement insulin, death
Complications can be…
Microvascular, microvascular, or both
Microvascular
- Loss of vision (diabetic retinopathy)
- End stage renal failure from diabetic nephropathy
- Delayed wound healing + Diabetic neuropathy = possible amputation
Macrovascular
- Myocardial infarction
- Stroke
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Neuropathy
Combined complications
- Erectile dysfunction as a result of reduced vascular flow peripheral neuropathy and uncontrolled circulating blood glucose
- Foot problems
Vascular foot problems
Cold feet and intermittent pain from claudication
Neurological foot problems
Burning, tingling, hypersensitivity, numbness
Musculoskeletal foot problems
a gradual change in shape, or sharp painless change without trauma
Dermatological foot problems
Infections, changes of skin colour and texture, and slow-healing painful or painless wounds
People with diabetes often die of…
Heart disease
- Causes organ damage in best circumstances
Diabetes management
Younger persons vs older persons
For younger persons, the main goal is to maintain glycemic control most of the time, though tight management for older adults (especially those with ischemic heart disease) is not always preferred. *May lead to hypoglycemia
Interventions for healthy aging
- Help people maintain an ideal body weight
- Eat a healthy diet with adequate protein and without excessive carbohydrates
- Exercise regularly
- Keep cholesterol and BP under control
Interventions for high risk
- Attention should be at reducing their risks for both diabetes and heart disease
- No smoking
- BP < 130/80
- Low cholesterol
