Diabetes Mellitus

Question 1

What is diabetes?

Answer 1

An elevated blood concentration which over time leads to damage of small and large blood vessels causing premature death from CVS disease.

Question 2

How does diabetes mellitus present?

Answer 2

Polyuria, polydipsia, blurring of vision, tiredness, weakness, lethargy, weight loss

Question 3

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 3

An absolute insulin deficiency secondary to autoimmune destruction of Beta cells.

Question 4

How does T1 diabetes present?

Answer 4

Symptoms: rapid onset weight loss, polyuria, polydipsia. Patient: elevated venous plasma glucose, presence of ketones

Question 5

Treatment of T1 diabetes.

Answer 5

Exogenous insulin, given by subcutaneous injection several times a day

Question 6

How does ketoacidosis occur in T1 diabetes?

Answer 6

Ketone production is suppressed by insulin, so when there’s an absence, ketone production is activated.

Question 7

How does type 2 diabetes present?

Answer 7

Symptoms: may have polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, no urinary ketones

Question 8

How do we treat diabetes?

Answer 8

Lifestyle e.g. regular exercise, non-insulin therapies e.g. biguanides, look for other vascular risk factors e.g. BP, lipids, smoking, diet.