(PM3B) Diabetes Complications Flashcards
How is mortality increased with diabetes complications?
Increase in prevalence of cardiovascular disease and renal failure
How is morbidity increased with diabetes complications?
- Diabetic foot
- Retinopathy
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Peripheral vascular disease
What are the short-term complications of diabetes?
(1) Hypoglycaemia
(2) Diabetic ketoacidosis - DKA
(3) Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State - HHS
What are the long-term complications of diabetes?
(1) Retinopathy
(2) Cardiovascular disease
(3) Neuropathy
(4) Peripheral vascular disease
(5) Nephropathy
When does hypoglycaemia occur?
When blood glucose falls below 4mmol/L
What can hypoglycaemia lead to if not treated? c u c
- Convulsions
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
What are the potential causes of hypoglycaemia?
(1) Too much injected insulin
(2) Altered insulin ABSORPTION
(3) Altered insulin CLEARANCE
(4) Decreased insulin requirement
(5) Failure to recognise symptoms
How is hypoglycaemia treated?
If conscious: 10-20g of glucose
If unconscious: IM/ SC glucagon OR IV glucose (dextrose)
(1) What is nocturnal hypoglycaemia?
(2) How can it be recognised?
(1) Blood glucose <4mmol/L at night
(2) Waking up tired/ with a headache/ wet from sweating
What advice can be given to diabetic patients experiencing hypoglycaemia? p bg at g dct
(1) Look for patterns - adjust insulin accordingly
(2) More regular blood glucose monitoring
(3) Avoid triggers - e.g. alcohol
(4) Carry glucose tablets/ sweets
(5) Diabetes Care Team
How does alcohol decrease blood sugar?
Inhibits glycogen breakdown + release in the liver
(1) What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
(2) When is it most common?
(1) Use of fats + proteins as an energy alternative to glucose. Causes a build up of ketones, leading to acidosis.
(2) Type 1 diabetics
What most commonly causes DKA?
Infections - 40%
Diabetes diagnosis - 10-20%
What is the effect of infection on insulin requirements for a diabetic patient?
Can increase insulin requirements
What are the most severe symptoms of DKA?
Diabetes symptoms with greater severity
- Thirst
- Polyuria
- Tiredness
- Blurry vision
What are the less frequent symptoms of DKA? n c ap lb u ph d
- Nausea
- Cramp
- Abdominal pain
- Laboured breathing
- Unconsciousness
- Postural hypotension
- Dehydration
What is the treatment for DKA?
(1) IV rehydration - 0.9% saline
(2) Insulin infusion - to correct hyperglycaemia
(3) Correction of electrolyte balance