Diabetic complications 1 Flashcards
Give an overview of the pathophysiology causing microvascular complications of diabetes
- Hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidemia
- Result in hypoxia, oxidative stress, inflammation etc
- This causes complications e.g. Retinopathy, Nephropathy, Neuropathy, Erectile dysfunction
Define neuropathy
Disease or dysfunction in one or more nerves (most commonly peripheral nerves)
What are the different types of neuropathy caused by diabetes ?
- Peripheral
- Autonomic
- Proximal
- Focal neuropathy
Define peripheral neuropathy
Pain/loss of feeling in feet, hands
What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy ?
- Numbness/lack of sensation
- Tingling/burning
- Sharp pains or cramps
- Sensitivity to touch
- Loss of balance and co-ordination
What are some of the complications of peripheral neuropathy ?
- Charcots foot - weakening of the bones, until fracture occurs, with continued walking the foot changes shape
- Painless trauma
- Foot ulcer
Define what focal neuropathy is
Appears suddenly and affects specific nerves, most often head, torso or leg
What are the symptoms of focal neuropathy ?
- Inability to focus eye
- Double vision
- Aching behind eye
- Bells palsy
- Pain in thigh/chest/lower back/pelvis
- Pain on outisde of foot
What is entrapment neuropathy ?
Weakness in one nerve or a group of nerves causing muscle weakness or pain e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome
What is proximal neuropathy ?
e.g. pain in the thighs, hips or buttocks leading to weakness in the legs (often associated with marked weight loss)
What is autonomic neuropathy ?
Affects the nerves regulating HR&BP as well as control of interal organs such as those involved in gastric motility, resp function, urination, sexual function and vision
What affects can autonomic neuropathy have on the digestive system ?
Gastric slowing/frequency/constipation/diarrhoea, gastroparesis etc
What affect can autonomic neuropathy have on HR and blood vessels ?
CV system nerve damage interfers with the bodies ability to adjust HR&BP e.g. BP may drop suddenly after sitting or standing causing a person to feel light headed/faint
HR may stay high instead of rising & falling in response to normal body functions and physical activity
What affects can autonomic neuropathy have on the eyes ?
- Can make the pupils less responsive to changes in light
- Sign may be person is not able to see well when a light is turned on in a dark room or may have trouble driving at night
What are some of the tests for neuropathy ?
- Nerve conduction studies or electromyogrpahy - determine the extent of nerve damage
- Heart rate variability - shows how HR responds to normal body functions
- Ultrasound - to assess bladder bowels etc
- Gastric emptying studies
