Diabetes Management Flashcards
(51 cards)
What is Diabetes?
A group of diseases characterized by hyperglycemia caused by defects in insulin secretion, insulin action (insulin resistance), or both
What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1, Type 2, Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA), Gestational diabetes
What are the two hormones produced in the pancreas that control blood glucose levels?
Insulin (decreases blood glucose levels) and Glucagon (increases blood glucose levels)
What are the functions of insulin inside cells?
- Transports and metabolizes glucose for energy
- Stimulates storage of glucose in the liver and muscle as glycogen
- Signals the liver to stop the release of glucose
- Enhances storage of dietary fat in adipose tissue
- Accelerates transport of amino acids into cells
- Inhibits the breakdown of stored glucose, protein, and fat
What percentage of diabetes cases are Type 1 and Type 2?
Type 1 diabetes (5-10%), Type 2 diabetes (90-95%)
What is the main complication of Type 1 diabetes?
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
What is the major complication of Type 2 diabetes?
Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome (HHS)
What are the common clinical manifestations of diabetes?
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia (thirst)
- Polyphagia (hunger)
- Fatigue, muscle weakness, poor blood flow
- Vision changes, skin lesions, slow healing wounds
What diagnostic criteria indicate diabetes using fasting blood glucose?
Fasting blood glucose 126 mg/dL or more
What does HbA1C measure and what indicates diabetes?
Measures average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months; > 6.5% indicates diabetes
What are the main goals of medical management for diabetes?
Normalize insulin activity and blood glucose levels to reduce development of complications
What dietary management goals should be met for diabetes?
- Control of total caloric intake
- Control of blood glucose levels
- Normalization of lipids and blood pressure
What is the role of exercise in diabetes management?
Lowers blood sugar, aids in weight loss, eases stress, and maintains well-being
What are the categories of insulin?
- Rapid acting: lispro
- Short acting: regular
- Intermediate acting: NPH insulin
- Very long acting: peakless
What is the Somogyi effect?
A hypoglycemic period at night causes rebound hyperglycemia in the morning, more common with type 1 diabetics
What is the Dawn phenomenon?
Hyperglycemia in the morning due to increased release of growth hormone and cortisol in predawn hours
What are the acute complications of diabetes?
- Hypoglycemia
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome (HHS)
What are the clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia?
- Hunger
- Weakness
- Shaking, tremors
- Headache
- Inability to concentrate
- Slurred speech
What causes Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Absence or inadequate amount of insulin resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat
What are the long-term complications of diabetes?
- Macrovascular: Cardiovascular disease, MI, cerebrovascular disease
- Microvascular: Retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy
What are the gerontological considerations for diabetes management?
- Reduction in B-cell function
- Decreased insulin sensitivity
- Altered carbohydrate metabolism
What is the role of oral antidiabetic agents?
Used for patients with type 2 diabetes who require more than diet and exercise alone
What are the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
- Obesity
- Age (>30)
- Previous impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance
- Hypertension
- HDL ≤35 mg/dL or triglycerides ≥250 mg/dL
- History of gestational diabetes
Fill in the blank: The three common symptoms of diabetes are ______, ______, and ______.
Polyuria, Polydipsia, Polyphagia