Diabetes Mellitus

Aims

• What is Diabetes Mellitus?• What different types are there?• Hyper/Hypoglycaemia• Signs and symptoms• Treatment

What is diabetes mellitus?

• Latin for “sweet urine”• No production of insulin• Not enough insulin• Insulin resistance

• 4.45% of UK population• 2.9 million people diagnosed

What is insulin?

•Produced by pancreas

•Key to unlock cells to allow glucose in•Allows glucose to be stored

•With no insulin – blood glucose increases•With insulin, but other reasons - blood glucose decreases

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

• Type 1 (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)• Type 2 (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes

Mellitus)• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

• Normal blood glucose = 4-7mmol/l

Type 1 Diabetes

• “Juvenile Diabetes”• Immune system attacks pancreas cells• Insulin not produced• Glucose can not be used• Increased blood glucose level• Genetic link

• Controlled by insulin injection• Oral insulin = currently impossible

Type 2 Diabetes

• Usually in overweight individuals• Body produces some insulin – not enough• Resistance to insulin in body• Increased blood glucose levels

• Diet controlled• Metformin• Insulin injection

Gestational diabetes

• Occurs during pregnancy• Not enough insulin produced• Can be sign of pre-existing diabetes

• Insulin injection (temporary)

Symptoms of diabetes• Increased thirst/hunger• Tiredness• Nausea/vomiting• Sweet breath• Blurred vision• Increased resps• Polyuria• Glucose in urine

• Weight loss

Problems caused by diabetes

• Neuropathy• Reduced wound healing• Stroke• Heart disease• Hypertension• Retinopathy• Peripheral vascular disease• Kidney disease• Foot problems

Hypoglycaemia

• LOW blood sugar• Can be caused by:

• Not eating enough• Exercise• Overdose of diabetic medication• Alcohol

Hyperglycaemia

• HIGH blood sugar• Can be caused by:

• Eating too much sugar• Skipping/missing diabetes medication• Infection• Stress• Decreased activity

Symptoms of hyperglycaemia

• Rapid pulse• Fruity breath• Excessive thirst• Drowsy• Confused• Unconsciousness

Treatment

• As first aid – nothing• Get to hospital ASAP• DRABC

Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia

• History of diabetes• Weakness• Hunger• Confusion/irrational behaviour• Sweating/cold/clammy• Rapid pulse• Palpitations• ? Diabetic bracelet

Treatment

• Raise blood sugar• Give lucozade/sugary drink/food• Glucogel??• Carbohydrates• Get appropriate medical help• If unconscious – do not give food/drink• DRABC

Conclusion

• Diabetes is common• Likely to have to treat• Try to determine hypo/hyperglycaemia ASAP• If hyper – no first aid treatment!• DRABC!!!

QUESTIONS??