Diabetes Mellitus Overview

Study Notes

Defined as insulin secretion issues and variable peripheral insulin resistance leading to hyperglycemia
Two main categories:
- Type 1 (Infant): Absolute insulin deficiency
- Type 2: Insulin sufficient or not; resistance or not
Symptoms include:
- Polydipsia
- Polyphagia
- Polyuria
- Blurred vision

Microvascular disease underlies three common and devastating manifestations:
- Retinopathy
- Nephropathy
- Neuropathy
Macrovascular disease involves atherosclerosis of large vessels, leading to:
- Angina pectoris
- Myocardial infarction
- Transient ischemic attacks
- Strokes
- Peripheral arterial disease
Other complications include:
- Eye damage
- Permanent kidney damage
- Cerebrovascular diseases
- Coronary heart disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Diabetic foot

Foot examination: Checks for nerve damage, poor blood flow, or wounds.
Funduscopic examination: Looks at the retina to detect early eye damage (diabetic retinopathy).
Urine testing for albuminuria: Detects protein in urine to identify early kidney damage.
Serum creatinine and lipid profile: Measures kidney function and cholesterol levels to assess heart and kidney health.

Lifestyle modification:
- Weight loss of 7% of baseline body weight
- Moderate-intensity physical activity (eg, walking 30 minutes/day)
May reduce the incidence of diabetes in high-risk people by >50%

Manage weight: Achieve a healthy weight and monitor weight gain.
Exercise: Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and manage stress.
Eat healthy: Diet low in saturated fats and sugars to maintain a healthy weight and blood sugar levels.
Rest: Everyone needs adequate rest, sleep and stress management.