Diabetic complications 2 Flashcards
Define what diabetic nephropathy is
A progressive disease caused by damage to the capillaries in the kidneys glomeruli
What are the consequences of diabetic nephropathy ?
- Development of hypertension
- Relentless decline in renal function
- Accelerated vascular disease
What is microalbuminuria ?
Moderate increase in the level of urine albumin. Normally kidneys don’t filter albumin so if albumin is found its a marker of kidney disease
What are the general treatment recommendations for patients with diabetes ?
- BP should be maintained < 130/80
- Patients with microalbuminuria or proteinuria should be commenced on ACE or ARB
- Good glucose control - HBA1c around 53
What eye complications do people with diabetes get ?
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Cataracts
- Gluacomas
- Acute hyperglycaemia (visual blurring - reversible)
What are the symptoms of retinopathy ?
- Gradually worsening vision
- Sudden vision loss
- Shapes floating in your field of vision (floaters)
- Blurred or patchy vision
- Eye pain or redness
What is diabetic retinopathy ?
Where high BG levels damage the back of the eye
What is diabetic maculopathy ?
Condition which results from retinopathy, where blood vessels near to the macula leak fluid or protein onto the macula
What is another complication of diabetes which is very prevalent in men ?
Erectile dysfunction
