Diabetes Mellitus: A Quick Overview

About this course

Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of diseases that affects how the body uses glucose, an important source of energy for muscle and tissue cells. Subclassifications of DM include Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM, gestational diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). This online learning activity provides an overview of the various types of DM, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Learning objectives

• Describe the various forms of diabetes mellitus
• Identify common symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus
• Review ow diabetes mellitus is diagnosed
• Identify common treatment and management options available

Course outline

16 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

   Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that involves abnormally elevated blood glucose levels. There are several types of diabetes mellitus, including Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)¹. The main types of DM are Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D

   4 min

2. 2

   Diabetes Types

   There are two main subclasses of endocrine cells in the pancreas’s islets of Langerhans: glucagon secreting alpha cells and insulin-producing beta cells. Alpha and Beta cells constantly change their hormone levels to balance glucose levels. Without the balance between glucagon and insulin, the gluco

   4 min

3. 3

   Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

   Type 1 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases seen in children and adolescents, but it may develop at any age. ¹¹ Most commonly, it is diagnosed between the ages of 4 and 14. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the islets of L

   4 min

4. 4

   Stages of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

   Type 1 diabetes mellitus develops in three stages¹³:

   4 min

5. 5

   Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

   Different from Type 1 diabetes mellitus that is an insulin-resistance condition with associated beta-cell dysfunction, Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a more subtle onset where an imbalance between insulin levels and insulin sensitivity (how sensitive the body is to the effects of insul

   4 min

6. 6

   Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

   Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any degree of glucose intolerance with an onset or first recognition during pregnancy, is related to the pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction or the delayed response of the beta cells to the glycemic levels and has marked insulin resistance secondary to placental h

   4 min

7. 7

   Mature Onset Diabetes of the Young

   Mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous disorder that is usually diagnosed in individuals under the age of 40.³ It is the most common form of monogenic diabetes and exhibits autosomal dominant transmission. Mature onset diabetes of the young is a non-ketotic disorder, and people

   4 min

8. 8

   Obtaining the History and Physical

   Individuals with diabetes mellitus most commonly present with increased thirst, increased urination, lack of energy and fatigue, bacterial and fungal infections, and delayed wound healing. Some people may also complain of numbness or tingling in hands or feet or blurred vision.

   4 min

9. 9

   Diagnosis

   The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is usually made through a health history that is supported by elevated serum glucose levels (fasting glucose greater than 126 mg/dL, random glucose over 200 mg/dL, or hemoglobin A1C exceeding 6.5%, with or without antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and

   4 min

10. 10

    Treatment and Management

    The treatment and management of diabetes is complex and requires an array of interventions for successful disease management. Diabetic education and active engagement are critical in diabetes management. People have better outcomes if they can manage their diet through carbohydrate and caloric restr

    4 min

11. 11

    Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

    Since T1DM is a disease primarily due to the absence of insulin, administering insulin daily by injections pump is the mainstay of treatment. To calculate the insulin total daily dose, the individual’s weight in kilograms is multiplied by 0.5 units. In general, 40% to 50% of the total daily dose com

    4 min

12. 12

    Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

    Gestational diabetes mellitus management usually begins with nonpharmacologic measurements like diet modifications, exercise, and glucose monitoring. The American Diabetes Association recommends nutritional counseling by a registered dietitian and development of a personalized plan based on the body

    4 min

13. 13

    Diabetes Complications

    One of the most emergent complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This condition usually occurs in people diagnosed with T1DM, and results from inadequate insulin dosing, missed insulin doses, or chronic infections. In DKA, the lack of insulin causes tissues to not be able

    4 min

14. 14

    American Diabetes Association Considerations

    Regular screenings are necessary for diabetes mellitus because of microvascular, macrovascular, and neuropathic complications. Microvascular and macrovascular complications vary according to the degree and the duration of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and include nephropathy, retinopathy, and

    4 min

15. 15

    Health Screening Considerations

    People older than 40 years of age should be screened for diabetes mellitus at least every three years. More frequent screening is recommended for individuals with additional risk factors for diabetes, including:

    4 min

16. 16

    Conclusion

    Persistent hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus can cause several complications, both acute and chronic. Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of lower limbs. Controlling glucose levels and treating high blood p

    4 min

This course satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. Always confirm details with your board before you renew.

References and resources

• Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2021. (2021, January 1). Diabetes Care.
• Complications. (n.d.). ADA. https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications
• Diabetes MODY: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. (n.d.). Nationwide Children's Hospital.
• Diabetes symptoms, causes, & treatment | ADA. (n.d.). American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy.
• Diabetes symptoms, causes, & treatment | ADA. (n.d.). American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy.
• Gestational diabetes - Symptoms, treatments | ADA. (n.d.). ADA. https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/gestational-diabetes
• Gestational diabetes and pregnancy. (2020, July 14). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/diabetes-gestational.html
• How to treat gestational diabetes. (n.d.). ADA. https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/gestational-diabetes/how-to-treat-gestational-diabetes
• Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). (2019, April 1). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/maturity-onset-diabetes-of-the-young-mody-a-to-z
• Mody. (2011, August 1). Diabetes Care. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/8/1878
• Type 1 diabetes - Symptoms, causes, treatment. (n.d.). American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy.
• Type 1 diabetes. (2017, July 12). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-1-diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes - Symptoms, causes, treatment | ADA. (n.d.). American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy.
• Type 2 diabetes. (2017, May 1). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
• (n.d.). York and Scarborough Formulary Formulary.

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