Lecture 16: Insulin & Diabetes Flashcards
What is type 1 diabetes?
An autoimmune disorder where the pancreas produces little or no insulin
What is type 2 diabetes?
Occurs when the body is in an insulin resistant state and pancreatic beta cells cannot release sifficient insulin to compensate. Largely a result of lifestyle; obesity, lack of excersise, diet
Compare Type 1 and type 2 diabetes (5)
- T1 young onset, T2 older onset
- T1 rapid onset of symptoms, T2 no obvious symptoms in the early stage
- T1 not related to obesity, T2 obese
- T1 body cant produce insulin, T2 body cells are resistant to insulin
- T1 managed by insulin injections, diet and excersise, T2 managed by oral medication or insulin injection, diet and excersise
What is gestational diabetes?
Affects up to 25% of women during pregnancy. Usually develops in 2nd trimester and disappears after the child in born. Cause not clear but thought to be due to various hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, many of which can block the action of insulin
What are the three tests for diagnosis of diabetes?
- Fasting glucose test/ random glucose test
- Glucose tolerance test
- Hba1c
What is the fasting glucose test?
Patient doesnt eat or drink for 8-10 hours then a blood test is done to check values for plasma glucose levels
What is a random glucose test?
Regardless of when a person last ate, a random plasma glucose value of 11.1 mmol/l indicates diabetes
What is the oral glucose tolerance test?
Patient must fast for atleast 8 hours. Plasma glucose is measured immediately before and 2 hours after drinking 75g glucose dissolved in water
What is the HbA1c test?
HbA1c levels give a measure of the average blood glucose levels over the previous 3-4 months.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by classic acute symptoms of hyperglycaemia and an abnormal blood test
How is diabetes diagnosed in patients with no classical symptoms?
Two abnormal blood tests of separate days
What are the acute symptoms of diabetes?
- Dehydration
- Nausea and vomitting
- Increased fatigue
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased appetite
- weight loss
- infections
- poor wound healing
- blurry vision
What causes tiredness and extreme hunger?
Cells do not get energy they need as glucose is not taken up
What causes unexplained weight loss?
Fat stores are broken down and used to supply energy
What causes blurry vision?
Lens of eye becomes dry due to dehydration and glucose build up