DM

Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)

Pathology:

Autoimmune disorder: the body attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas

Risk factors:

Infection with a virus (polio related) may trigger an autoimmune response

Hereditary factors:

10 times more likely to have T1DM if your sibling has it

Characteristics:

Onset usually before age of 30

Body build is usually lean (but not always)


Associated with ketosis

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Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

Pathology:

Disorder of insulin reception by peripheral target cells

Decreased production of insulin by beta cells in the pancreas

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Risk factors:

Increasing age:

Onset usually after age 40

Significant increase in younger adult/adolescent pre-diabetic and type II diabetes in the past 10-20 years

Obesity:

Fat distribution: increased abdominal fat associated with increased incidence of diabetes mellitus

Hypertension

Decreased physical activity

Poor nutrition

Smoking

Genetic predisposition

Race: increased rates in African Americans and Native Americans

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Conditions Associated with DM

Insulin resistance

„Body’s cells do not respond to properly to insulin

„Impaired glucose tolerance

„When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas releases insulin to help move sugar into cells. Over time, cells can become resistant to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to remain high

„Presents when individuals have a plasma glucose level of 140-199 mg/dL 2hrs after oral load of 75 g of glucose

„Can lead to T2DM, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other metabolic issues. 

„Risk factors:

„Overweight

„Over 45

„Family history

„Ethnicities

Insulin Deficiency

In absence of insulin or its receptors sites, glucose cannot be utilized by skeletal muscle, cardiac muscles, and adipose tissue.

Increased utilization of fats as energy sources

Protein depletion in the tissues 2° increased protein catabolism

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„Symptoms:

ØShakiness

ØDizziness

ØSweating

ØHunger or nausea

ØIrregular or fast heartbeat

ØDifficulty concentrating

ØFatigue

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No, insulin deficiency and insulin resistance are not the same thing: 

Insulin deficiency

Occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or when the body's tissues don't respond properly to insulin. This can happen in new-onset diabetes, when insulin treatment isn't followed, or when an insulin pump fails. 

Insulin resistance

Occurs when the body's cells don't respond normally to insulin. This can happen when blood glucose levels are high for a long time, which causes the body to produce more insulin. Over time, the cells can lose their ability to respond to insulin.


Treatments:

Insulin deficiency

Insulin replacement therapy with basal and postprandial components

Insulin resistance

Medications like metformin and thiazolidinediones that reduce insulin resistance


Complications

Neuropathy

Connective tissue changes

Osteoporosis

Microangiopathy (small vessel disease)

Nephropathy

Large vessel disease

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Diabetic coma)

Insulin Shock


Neuropathy

WHY?

Hyperglycemia damages the Schwann cells (produce and maintain the myelin sheath around the axons of PNS)

Small vessel disease 2° hypoxia to peripheral nerves

Results:

Affects sensory and motor nerves, and ANS

Signs/Symptoms:

Decrease or loss of deep tendon reflexes in ankle

Loss of sensation, vibration, touch, pain and temp sensation in “stocking/glove distribution”

Distal symmetrical motor weakness and atrophy

Abnormal heart rate

Loss of protective sensation (test with 5.07 level monofilament) on plantar foot

 


Connective tissue Changes

WHY?

„Shorting and thickening of connective tissue 2° a variety of reasons

Symptoms:

„Painful limited motion in joints 

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Osteoporosis

WHY?

„DM can impair the function of mature bone cells, which can slow or reduce bone formation

„DM can cause bone density loss by increasing blood sugar levels, which can lead to the excretion of calcium and phosphorus in urine. 

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Advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

„AGEs are proteins or lipids that become glycated after exposure to sugars, like those in the bloodstream of people with diabetes. AGEs accumulate in bone collagen, which can weaken bones

Microangiopathy (small vessel disease)

Retinopathy:

Most Significant factor 2° poor blood sugar control

Inner wall of capillaries thickens

Increased inflammatory cell adhesion to vessels walls

Weakening of vessel walls leading to aneurysm formation

Signs and Symptoms:

Total or partial loss of vision

Central vision loss


Nephropathy

vThickening of the basement of the Kidney

vSclerosis of the Kidney

vChronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

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Signs and Symptoms:

„Abnormal glomerular filtrated rate

„High blood creatinine level

„High blood urea nitrogen level (BUN)

„Low RBC count

„Peripheral edema

„SOB

„Fatigue

„Muscle twitches and cramps

Large vessel disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Cardiac Disease

CVA

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) (Diabetic Coma)

WHY?

A life-threatening complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces too many ketones

When the body doesn't have enough insulin, it can't use blood sugar for energy. Instead, the liver breaks down fat for fuel, which produces ketones. If too many ketones are produced too quickly, they can build up to dangerous levels in the body. This can cause the blood to become acidic.

Ketone bodies are acidic compounds which are byproducts of fat metabolism

Signs/Symptoms:

Nausea/Vomiting

Abdominal pain

Air hunger with rapid respirations

Dry, flushed skin

Intense thirst

Smell of acetone on breath

Diabetic coma and death if untreated

Onset:

Gradual over several days to sudden

Symptoms resolve in 6-12 hours after treatment with insulin, electrolytes and fluids 


Insulin Shock (Hypoglycemia)

WHY?

Low circulating blood glucose levels may result form insufficient food or excessive insulin

Signs/Symptoms:

Moist, pale skin

Weakness or shakiness

Normal or shallow breathing

Tachycardia

Headache

Confusion

Slurred speech

Blurred vision

Hunger

Convulsions or coma

Resolve:

Quickly with carbohydrates administration or glucagon injection 


PT management Exercise

Increases ability of skeletal muscle to take glucose from blood stream and use it for fuel

Decreases insulin resistance

Reduces risk for atherosclerosis

Psychological and social enhancement


Risks:

§Exercise induced hypoglycemia can occur if exercising with circulating insulin at high levels

§Ketoacidosis if exercising with insulin at very low levels


Precautions:

§Avoid extreme temperatures

§Design exercise to minimize risks due to neuropathy, retinopathy and LE ulcers


Contraindications:

Do not exercise if blood sugar is <70 or >240 mg/dL  (Normal is 80-120 mg/d)

Key take aways:

oAvoid exercise at peak insulin times

oAvoid exercise at insulin injection spots

oInsure adequate diet supplement before exercise