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Chemical Pathology
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Chemical Pathology
TOPIC: DIABETES
GROUP MEMBERS:
INTRODUCTION:
DEFINITION:
Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose .Glucose is the body main
source of energy .
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose get into the cells to be used for
energy .Diabetes develops when your body does not make enough insulin or when your body is not
responding to the effects of insulin properly.Glucose then stays in the body and doesn’t reach the cells .
Types of Diabetes:
1.Type 1 diabetes (Insulin dependent diabetes )
3.Gestational diabetes
4.Neonatal diabetes
Or is an autoimmune condition where the body produces antibodies to destroy the Beta cells producing
insulin in the pancreas.This leads to chronic hyperglycemia because glucose is not utilized again .Patient
requires lifelong insulin therapy to manage blood sugar levels.Hence there is absolute insulin deficiency
It is predominantly caused by sedentary lifestyle,environmental factors and obesity .It is more common
in older adults .You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you :
GESTATIONAL DIABETES:
This type of diabetes develops in some people during pregnancy.Gestational diabetes usually goes away
after pregnancy.However if you have gestational diabetes you are at higher risk of developing Type 2
diabetes later in life .
NEONATAL DIABETES:
This is a rare form of diabetes that occurs within the first six months of life .About 50% of babies with
Neonatal diabetes have the lifelong form called permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus.For the other half
the condition disappears within a few months from onset but it can come back later in life .This is called
transient neonatal diabetes.
The following are the causes of diabetes; weight,age, family history,genetics, gestational
diabetes,diet, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy,insulin,e.t.c.
2. Risk factors of Diabetes: An individual with the following is at risk of being diabetic;
-45 years and above.
-Overweight.
-Blood level.
The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. However,
common symptoms across different types of diabetes include:
1. FREQUENT URINATION: Increased urination, especially during the night (nocturia), is a common
symptom of diabetes. This occurs when the kidneys try to rid the body of excess sugar by excreting it
through urine.
2. EXCESSIVE THIRST: Increased urination can lead to dehydration, causing a person with diabetes to feel
thirsty more often.
3. UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS: Despite eating more than usual, people with diabetes may experience
weight loss due to the body's inability to properly utilize glucose for energy, leading to muscle
breakdown and fat loss.
4. INCREASED HUNGER: The inability of cells to absorb glucose can lead to persistent hunger, even after
eating.
5. FATIGUE: Feelings of tiredness and weakness can result from the body's inability to use glucose
effectively for energy production.
6. BLURRED VISION: High blood sugar levels can cause changes in the shape of the lens in the eye,
leading to blurry vision.
7.SLOW WOUND HEALING: High blood sugar levels can impair circulation and damage blood vessels,
leading to delayed wound healing.
8. FREQUENT INFECTIONS: Diabetes can weaken the immune system, making individuals more
susceptible to infections, particularly skin, urinary tract, and vaginal infections.
Diagnosis of diabetes typically involves a combination of blood tests and clinical assessment. Common
diagnostic tests include:
1. Fasting plasma glucose(FPG) TEST: Fasting plasma glucose Test: This is a blood test that measures your
blood sugar level after you've fasted for at least 8 hours. It's commonly used to diagnose diabetes and
prediabetes. The reference range is <6.1 Mmol/l.
2. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) Test: This test offers a longer-term view of blood sugar control over 2 to 3
months, making it more comprehensive and stable compared to fasting blood glucose, which measures
sugar levels at one point in time. HbA1c is less affected by short-term factors and fluctuations providing
a more reliable indicator of overall glucose control, and it's more convenient for patients as it doesn't
require fasting. Short-term factors and fluctuations that can affect fasting blood glucose levels include
recent food intake, physical activity, stress, illness, and medication timing. These factors can cause blood
sugar levels to vary throughout the day, making fasting blood glucose measurements less consistent
than glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, which reflect average blood sugar control over a longer
period.
3. Oral glucose tolerance test:The oral glucose tolerance test is a two-hour test that is used to diagnose
diabetes. Before the test, the patient will fast for 8 hours. A blood sample is then taken to measure the
baseline level of glucose in the blood. The patient will then drink a glucose solution and blood samples
will be taken 30 minutes,one hour and two hours after drinking the solution. The level of glucose in the
blood will be measured at each time point. A level of 200 mg/dL or higher at the two-hour mark
indicates diabetes. An intermediate level (between 140 and 199 mg/dL) may indicate prediabetes. The
oral glucose tolerance test is more sensitive than the fasting plasma glucose test, but it can be less
convenient and may cause nausea or vomiting in some patients.
4. The random blood glucose(Random plasma glucose) test: is a simple test that can be used to screen
for diabetes. The test measures the level of glucose in the blood at a random time, regardless of when
the last meal was eaten. A blood sample is taken and the level of glucose is measured. If the level is
higher than 200 mg/dL, it's a sign of diabetes. The test is quick and easy, but it doesn't provide as much
information as the A1C test. The reference range is 3.4--7.8 Mmol/l
Diabetes damage blood vessels causing them to narrow and therefore restricting blood flow.
Because blood vessels are affected, people may have many complications of diabetes of which organs can be
affected, particularly the following;
5. Nerves: diabetic neuropathy causing decreased sensation in mainly in the feet and legs.
6. High blood glucose levels also cause disturbances in the body’s immune system therefore particularly making
them susceptible to bacteria and fungal infections.
V. MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT:
Type 1
Insulin intake
Type 2
1. Improving diet
2. Exercising regularly
3. Medic