🔑 Key Definitions
Diabetes Mellitus: Metabolic disorder affecting blood sugar regulation
Insulin: Hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose from blood
Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar (too much glucose)
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar (too little glucose)
HbA1c: Test measuring average blood sugar over 2-3 months
Insulin: Hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose from blood
Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar (too much glucose)
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar (too little glucose)
HbA1c: Test measuring average blood sugar over 2-3 months
🧠 Types of Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes:
- Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells
- Requires insulin injections
- Usually develops in childhood/adolescence
- ~10% of diabetes cases
- Type 2 Diabetes:
- Insulin resistance (body doesn't use insulin properly)
- Often linked to obesity, lifestyle
- Usually develops in adulthood
- ~90% of diabetes cases
- Gestational Diabetes: During pregnancy
📊 Complications of Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease: Heart attack, stroke
- Nephropathy: Kidney damage
- Retinopathy: Eye damage, blindness
- Neuropathy: Nerve damage
- Poor wound healing: Risk of amputation
🛠 Self-Management Requirements
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Medication/insulin adherence
- Diet management
- Exercise
- Foot care
- Regular medical check-ups
💡 Exam Tips
- Type 1 = NO insulin production; Type 2 = insulin RESISTANCE
- Type 2 is MOST common (~90%)
- HyPERglycemia = HIGH sugar; HyPOglycemia = LOW sugar
- Self-management is CRITICAL for diabetes control
- Complications affect eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves, feet