Case Based Learning: Topic T1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)

Case Study Topic: T1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)
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Introduction
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is among the most common chronic disorders among children, adolescents, and older adults (Lontchi-Yimagou et al., 2017). The risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are increased among patients with T1DM. Wang et al (2018 p, 141) have evaluated the differences in major CVD risks among patients with T1DM from healthy subjects and found an elevated CVD burden among patients with T1DM and confirmed the use of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in T1DM patients. While the increased risks of CVD among individuals with TIDM has been documented, there is scanty knowledge about the relationships between CVD risk factors, events, and T1DM (de Ferranti et al, 2014, p.2843). McCall and Farhy 2013, p.145) asserts that besides the cardiovascular system, T1DM affects the endocrine function and the general body metabolism. The endocrine system consists of different types of glands that secret hormones controlling how various organs and cells function. T1DM affects the body’s mechanism of regulating blood glucose, and at the same time, the role of glucagon hormone is to increase the levels of glucose in blood. Among healthy individuals, both glucagon and insulin function to balance the glucose levels in blood. However, in T1DM patients, the body becomes incapacitated to produce sufficient insulin leading to increased levels of blood glucose unless insulin is administered (McCall & Farhy 2013, p.151). Lastly, T1DM has a significant impact on the general body metabolism. A study conducted by Lontchi-Yimagou et al (2017) have found a significant improvement in glycaemic control and relieve of diabetes complications among patients provided with diabetes care treatments, this denoting a correlation between diabetes and metabolism. This paper discusses the aetiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), how the disease causes a disruption in endocrine, circulation, and metabolic functions and focuses on the normal anatomy and physiology, homeostatic mechanisms in each body systems, and anatomical and physiological adaptations likely to occur among acutely and chronically ill patients with the disease.
Relevant Body Anatomical and Physiological Components
Three major systems are involved in T1DM are the endocrine system, the metabolic function, and the circulatory system. While the pathophysiology of the disease is complex and often difficult to understand, disease state emerges as an abnormal metabolism associated with vascular bed systematic damage (Alrefai et al 2002, p.105). An increasing number of studies have shown that the endocrine system is not stable among patients with T1DM, and it is not clear if the observed changes in the endocrine system would represent a primary defect or display effects of impaired action of insulin and abnormal lipid and carbohydrate metabolism on the endocrine milieu. Alrefai et al (2002, p.105) have reviewed the literature revealing that the function of the general endocrine system such as the hormonal functions from the pituitary, hypothalamus, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, vitamin D system, adipose tissue, and the gonadal system among T1DM is usually impaired. The authors su...