Diabetes Mellitus Basics

Question 1

What is Diabetes Mellitus (DM)?

Answer 1

• Chronic condition of the pancreas (the body doesn’t make any insulin or not enough insulin).
• Caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin
• Impacts how the body breaks down food into energy

Question 2

How may people in the US have diabetes?

Answer 2

34.2 million
13 % of all adults are impacted
2.8 % of adult population is undiagnosed
7th leading cause of death in the US

Question 3

Describe Type 1 Diabetes.

Answer 3

• 5-10% of undiagnosed cases are Type 1
• Thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body attacks itself by mistake.
• Pancreas stops making insulin.
• Usually diagnosed young

Question 4

What are some risk factors for type 1 diabetes?

Answer 4

• Age
• Family history
• Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed
• No way to prevent it

Question 5

Describe Type 2 Diabetes.

Answer 5

• 90-95% of undiagnosed cases are type 2
• Pancreas does not make enough insulin
• Insulin resistant diabetes
• Usually diagnosed at age 45 or older

Question 6

What are some risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes?

Hint there are 8 in total

Answer 6

• Pre-diabetes
• “ABCS” - A1C, BP, Cholesterol, & Smoking
• Overweight & Obesity
• 45 years or older
• Family Hx of parents or siblings
• Physical inactivity
• Gestational diabetes, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), birth to baby greater than 9 lbs.
• Race/Ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanics, Latino Americans, American Indians, Alaskan natives)

Question 7

What tests are used to determine blood sugar levels for pre-diabetes?

Answer 7

• A1C of 5.7%-6.4%
• Fasting Blood Glucose 100-125 mg/dL
• Glucose Tolerance Test 140-199 mg/dL

Question 8

What tests are used to determine blood sugar levels for diabetes?

Answer 8

• A1C of 6.5% or higher
• Fasting Blood Glucose 126 mg/dL or higher
• Glucose Tolerance Test 200 mg/dL or higher

Question 9

What are some overall S/S of diabetes?

Answer 9

• Polyuria - urinating often
• Polydipsia - extreme thirst
• Blurred Vision
• Fatigue
• Paresthesias - numbness/tingling of hands & feet
• Skin Infections
• Dry Skin

Question 10

What are some S/S specific to Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 10

• Weight Loss
• Polyphagia - extreme hunger
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach Pain

Question 11

What are some progressive complications of diabetes?

Answer 11

• Hyperglycemia (Blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher)
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma
• Hypoglycemia (Blood glucose level between 60-70 mg/dL

Question 12

What are some multisystem complications that can occur with diabetes?

Answer 12

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Lower Limb Amputations
• Adult Onset Blindness
• Peripheral or Diabetic Neuropathy