Exam 3 Flashcards
How do counterregulatory hormones increase blood glucose levels?
(1) stimulating glucose production and release by the liver and (2) decreasing the movement of glucose into the cells.
Insulin resistance
insulin resistance, a condition in which body tissues do not respond to the action of insulin because insulin receptors are unresponsive, are insufficient in number, or both
second factor in the development of type 2 diabetes
A second factor in the development of type 2 diabetes is a marked decrease in the ability of the pancreas to make insulin, as the β cells become fatigued from the compensatory overproduction of insulin or when β-cell mass is lost.
third factor in the development of Type 2 DM
This leads to a third factor, which is inappropriate glucose production by the liver. Instead of properly regulating the release of glucose in response to blood levels, the liver does so in a haphazard way that does not correspond to the body’s needs at the time.
Fourth factor in the development of Type 2 DM
A fourth factor is altered production of hormones and cytokines by adipose tissue (adipokines). Adipokines secreted by adipose tissue appear to play a role in glucose and fat metabolism and are likely to contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.4 We think adipokines cause chronic inflammation, a factor involved in insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Lipodystrophy (related to DM)
Lipodystrophy (loss of subcutaneous fatty tissue) may occur if the same injection sites are used frequently. The use of human insulin has significantly reduced the risk for lipodystrophy.
Cloudy insulins
All insulins are clear solutions except NPH, lispro protamine, and aspart protamine
Atrophy (related to DM)
Atrophy, which is uncommon, is the wasting of subcutaneous tissue and presents as indentations in injection sites
Hypertrophy (related to DM)
Hypertrophy happens more often and is a thickening of the subcutaneous tissue. It eventually regresses if the patient does not use the site for at least 6 months. Injecting into a hypertrophied site may result in erratic insulin absorption.
Somogyi effect.
Hyperglycemia in the morning may be due to the Somogyi effect. A high dose of insulin causes a decline in blood glucose levels during the night. As a result, counterregulatory hormones (e.g., glucagon, epinephrine, GH, cortisol) are released. They stimulate lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis, which in turn cause rebound hyperglycemia. The danger of this effect is that when blood glucose levels are measured in the morning, hyperglycemia is apparent and the patient (or the HCP) may increase the insulin dose
Treatment: The treatment for Somogyi effect is a bedtime snack, reducing the dose of insulin, or both.
dawn phenomenon
The dawn phenomenon is also characterized by hyperglycemia that is present on awakening. Two counterregulatory hormones (GH and cortisol), which are excreted in increased amounts in the early morning hours, may be the cause of this phenomenon. The dawn phenomenon affects many people with diabetes and tends to be most severe when GH is at its peak in adolescence and young adulthood.
Treatment: The treatment for dawn phenomenon is an increase in insulin or an adjustment in administration time.
DM drug therapy: Biguanides
most widely used OA is metformin. Forms of metformin include Glucophage (immediate release), Glucophage XR (extended release), Fortamet (extended release), and Riomet (liquid). The primary action of metformin is to reduce glucose production by the liver. It enhances insulin sensitivity at the tissue level and improves glucose transport into the cells. Lactic acidosis is a rare complication of metformin accumulation
DM drug therapy: Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas include glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), and glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase). The primary action of sulfonylureas is to increase insulin production by the pancreas. Therefore hypoglycemia is the major side effect.
Meglitinides
Like sulfonylureas, nateglinide (Starlix) and repaglinide (Prandin) increase insulin production by the pancreas. However, because they are more rapidly absorbed and eliminated than sulfonylureas, they are less likely to cause hypoglycemia. When taken just before meals, pancreatic insulin production increases during and after the meal, mimicking the normal response to eating. Teach patients to take meglitinides any time from 30 minutes before each meal right up to the time of the meal. These drugs should not be taken if a meal is skipped.
α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
These drugs, also known as “starch blockers,” work by slowing down carbohydrate absorption in the small intestine. Acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset) are the available drugs in this class. Taken with the first bite of each main meal, they are most effective in lowering postprandial blood glucose.
Thiazolidinediones, sometimes called “insulin sensitizers,”
pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia). They are most effective for people who have insulin resistance. These agents improve insulin sensitivity, transport, and use at target tissues. Because they do not increase insulin production, they do not cause hypoglycemia when used alone. However, these drugs are rarely used today because of their adverse effects. Rosiglitazone is associated with adverse cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction [MI]) and can be obtained only through restricted access programs. Pioglitazone can worsen heart failure (HF) and is associated with an increased risk for bladder cancer.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors
DPP-4 inhibitors (also known as gliptins) come in pill form. They include alogliptin (Nesina), linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin (Onglyza), and sitagliptin (Januvia). DPP-4 inhibitors block the action of DPP-4, which inactivates incretin hormones. The result is an increase in insulin release, decrease in glucagon secretion, and decrease in hepatic glucose production. Since the DPP-4 inhibitors are glucose dependent, they lower the potential for hypoglycemia. The main benefit of these drugs over other medications with similar effects is the absence of weight gain as a side effect.
Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors
Normally, sodium glucose transporters reabsorb glucose from the kidneys back into the blood stream. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors work by blocking the reabsorption of glucose by the kidney, increasing urinary glucose excretion. Drugs in this class include canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), and empagliflozin (Jardiance).
Hypoglycemia
Altered mental function—“neuroglycopenia”
-Difficulty speaking
-Visual disturbances
-Stupor
-Confusion
-Coma
-Mimics alcohol intoxication
Untreated hypoglycemia can progress to loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, and death
Manifestations of hypoglycemia
Common manifestations
-Shakiness
-Diaphoresis
-Anxiety
-Pallor
• Cold, clammy skin
• Numbness of fingers, toes, mouth
• Tachycardia, palpitations
• Emotional changes
• Headache
• Nervousness, tremors
• Faintness, dizziness
• Unsteady gait, slurred speech
• Hunger
• Changes in vision
• Seizures, coma
Manifestation of hyperglycemia
• Elevated blood glucose
• Increase in urination
• Increase in appetite followed by lack of appetite
• Weakness, fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Glycosuria
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Progression to DKA or HHS
• Mood swings
Progression of DKA
If not treated, the patient will develop severe depletion of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphate. Vomiting caused by the acidosis results in more fluid and electrolyte losses. Eventually, hypovolemia, followed by shock, will ensue. Renal failure, which may eventually occur from hypovolemic shock, causes the retention of ketones and glucose, and the acidosis progresses. Untreated, the patient becomes comatose from dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and acidosis. Ifthe condition is not treated, death is inevitable.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemia syndrome (HHS)
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemia syndrome (HHS) is a life-threatening syndrome that can occur in the patient with diabetes who is able to make enough insulin to prevent DKA, but not enough to prevent severe hyperglycemia, osmotic diuresis, and extracellular fluid depletion
Theories as to how and why chronic hyperglycemia damages cells and tissues
Possible causes include (1) the accumulation of damaging by-products of glucose metabolism, such as sorbitol, which is associated with damage to nerve cells; (2) the formation of abnormal glucose molecules in the basement membrane of small blood vessels, such as those that circulate to the eyes and kidneys; and (3) a derangement in RBC function that leads to a decrease in oxygenation to the tissues.
Diabetes-related retinopathy
refers to the process of microvascular damage to the retina because of chronic hyperglycemia, nephropathy, and hypertension in patients with diabetes. Diabetes-related retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of adult blindness.