M104 T2 L13 Flashcards
What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
moodiness, faintness, numbness in arms and hands, blurred vision, confusion, memory loss, dizziness or lethargy that may progress to coma
What does hypoglycaemia have the same effects as?
cerebral anoxia
What are the serious consequences of hypoglycaemia?
loss of cognitive function, seizures and coma
At what blood glucose level is loss of consciousness achieved?
at 2.5 mM (45 mg/dL)
How is hypoglycaemia treated?
via the rapid restoration of blood glucose
by i.v. glucose or injection of glucagon
What is the effect of prolonged or repeated hypoglycaemia?
permanent brain damage
What is the criteria for hypoglycaemia?
having a blood glucose level of below 4 mM (72 mg/dL)
When might symptoms of hypoglycaemia develop?
at higher levels than 4 mM if there is rapid fall of previously elevated levels, although some individuals may show no effects even below 4 mM
What are the potential effects of a rapid fall in blood glucose levels?
sweating, tachycardia and agitation
What are the potential effects of a rapid fall in blood glucose levels caused by?
the activation of the sympathetic NS system and release of adrenaline & glucagon
How does hypoglycaemia present in healthy individuals and what might it be caused by?
presents as a mild case
cause - fasting or over exercise
What are the main causes of hypoglycaemia?
fasting or over exercise
excess of exogenous insulin / insulinoma
inhibition of endogenous glucose production
What is an example of a condition caused by Hypernatraemia?
diabetes insipidus
What are two examples of factors that can cause Hypovolaemia?
vomiting, dehydration
What’s an example of a pathology that can cause Hypovolaemia?
adrenal insufficiency
What are the lesser causes of hypoglycaemia?
Hypernatraemia
Hypovolaemia
certain pathologies
What might cause the inhibition of endogenous glucose production?
excess alcohol
How long does it take for alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia to occur after alcohol ingestion?
several hours
When does alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia occur?
on the depletion of glycogen stores, when the blood glucose levels are reliant on hepatic gluconeogenesis
What is the effect of alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia in the short term (24hrs)?
it places additional stresses on gluconeogenesis, as alcohol is metabolised primarily in the liver by an unregulated process
What is the effect of alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia in the long-term (years)?
gluconeogenesis may also be decreased by liver damage and reduced muscle mass
What happens to ethanol in the liver?
it is rapidly metabolised by alcohol dehydrogenase (enzyme)
What is the structural formula of ethanol?
C2H2OH
What is the structural formula of acetaldehyde?
CH3CHO