DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 1

Course overview

TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS (T1DM) IS AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE THAT LEADS TO THE DESTRUCTION OF INSULIN-PRODUCING PANCREATIC BETA CELLS. INSULIN IS AN ESSENTIAL ANABOLIC HORMONE THAT EXERTS MULTIPLE EFFECTS ON GLUCOSE, LIPID, PROTEIN, AND MINERAL METABOLISM, AS WELL AS GROWTH. IMPORTANTLY, INSULIN ALLOWS GLUCOSE TO ENTER MUSCLE AND ADIPOSE CELLS, STIMULATES THE LIVER TO STORE GLUCOSE AS GLYCOGEN AND SYNTHESIZE FATTY ACIDS, STIMULATES THE UPTAKE OF AMINO ACIDS, INHIBITS THE BREAKDOWN OF FAT IN ADIPOSE TISSUE, AND STIMULATES THE UPTAKE OF POTASSIUM INTO CELLS. INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS REQUIRE LIFE-LONG INSULIN REPLACEMENT THERAPY. WITHOUT INSULIN, DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS (DKA) DEVELOPS AND IS LIFE-THREATENING. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS. IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS IN COLLABORATING TO PROVIDE WELL-COORDINATED CARE AND ENHANCE OUTCOMES FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.