Diabetes mellitus type 1: Difference between revisions
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===Clinical Features=== | ===Clinical Features=== | ||
*Excessive thirst (polydipsia) | |||
*Weight loss | |||
*Coma | |||
*[[Diabetic ketoacidosis]] (worth reading about, especially in [[Paediatrics|paeds]] | |||
===Investigations=== | ===Investigations=== | ||
Revision as of 11:01, 23 September 2008
Definition
A chronic condition, caused by death of the insulin producing cells in the islets of langerhans. The commonest side effect of this is high blood sugar.
Epidemiology
Around 7% of all diabetes sufferers have type 1. In the general population, about 0.4% of people have it. It generally presents in the teenage years, often around the age of 13.
Pathophysiology
Like nearly all the well known diseases, we don't really know what is going on. The general consensus is that the beta cells in the Islet of Langerhans (in the pancreas) are attacked by autoimmune processes.
There have been some links made with cow's milk. It can also be caused by viral attack, pancreatic problems and chemotherapy.
Risk Factors
- Family History
- Not being breast fed
- Other endocrine disorders
- Coeliac disease
Clinical Features
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Weight loss
- Coma
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (worth reading about, especially in paeds