Endocrine - Diabetes

Question 1

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Answer 1

Excessive thirst/hunger
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss/gain
Blurred vision
Slow healing wounds
Urinating more often than usual

Question 2

What is the biological explanation of diabetes?

Answer 2

Type 1 = insulin dependent - autoimmune where islets of langerhans are destroyed so cant produce insulin

Type 2 = insulin independent - caused by pancreas not producing enough insulin or body’s cells losing ability to recognise and respond to insulin

Question 3

How is diabetes caused?

Answer 3

Genes
Environmental factors - viruses
Being overweight = risk for type 2

Question 4

How can diabetes be diagnosed?

Answer 4

Blood tests - check haemoglobin levels - measures glucose carried in red blood cells - indicates risk of nerve damage, stoke etc…
Urine test - check blood sugar levels escaping urine

Question 5

How can diabetes be treated?

Answer 5

Type 1 - Insulin taken - once or twice a day - stable overnight and between meals and then with meals or drink - manage diet and exercise

Type 2 - medication - metformin to lower blood sugar - side effects - insulin doesn’t work - main treatment is regulation of exercise and diet

Question 6

What impacts does diabetes have on someones life?

Answer 6

Requires regular monitoring
Need to be careful about what you eat
Need to remember insulin when out
Stop smoking and drinking
Increase exercise
Inform friends, family and colleagues - what to do during hypo

Question 7

How can diabetes be monitored?

Answer 7

Blood pressure - avoid stroke
Blood sugar - check levels to see if they are within safe range
Eye test - check for retinopathy
Regular foot check - neuropathy - numb, tinging feet