PATH1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Diabetic Nephropathy, Hypertension, Gestational Diabetes
Document Summary
Diabetes is a metabolic disease of the pancreas that is located behind the stomach. The pancreas produces insulin, which is delivered into every cell in the body. Symptoms include: dehydration, unexplained weight loss, changes in vision, extreme fatigue. Occurs when all insulin producing cells have been destroyed. Linked to risk factors: family history, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, obesity, race, ethnicity: gestational diabetes. Occurs during pregnancy but normally stops after birth. Development of dn involves hypertension and hyperglycemia induced changes in multiple pathways that contribute to morphological changes in the kidneys. Uncontrolled high levels of blood sugar can lead to kidney damage, especially when there is coexisting high blood pressure. Excessive sugar levels can damage the glomerulus causing the basement membrane of blood vessels to thicken. There is a larger than normal leakage of albumin/ protein, leading to micro albuminuria which (if left untreated) can lead to renal failure.
