Type 1 Diabetes Case Study Essay

Carol is a 17-year-old patient who has been admitted to hospital. She has previously been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and has been suffering from this since the age of 7. Carol is 6 weeks pregnant, and is showing signs of dehydration, high blood glucose, weight loss and changes in mood. It is important to understand the underlying cause of Carol’s symptoms to eliminate any problems in both her babies and her own health. This can be done through critically analysing the pathophysiology of her overall condition and her signs and symptoms. It is also important to understand any potential effects on the developing foetus in order to help prevent any complication during her pregnancy. Understanding the pathophysiology of both her condition and her symptoms is crucial. The development of Type 1 diabetes is the consequence of an on going destruction of the beta cells (β cells). This is due to an autoimmune process that happens during an asymptomatic period. This occurs in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and can often be extended over many years. This results in the pancreas becoming unable to produce insulin, and the effected patient, like Carol, can no longer control their blood glucose without the aid of insulin injections. …show more content…
Hyperglycaemia is a raised serum glucose level. The main cause of hyperglycaemia in type 1 Diabetes in an insufficiency of insulin. There is also an increase in conterregulatory hormone levels; Glucagon, cortisol, catecholamines, and growth hormone. Insulin deficiency causes hyperglycaemia, as glucose can no longer be utilised in insulin-dependent tissues such as muscle and adipose tissue. This means the body has to use energy from fatty acids in adipose tissue. The fatty acids travel to the liver and are converted to ketoacids, in turn potentially causing ketoacidosis, which can be life