Course content
The course starts on the macro level, by looking at the reasons for the global rise of diabetes.
Section 1 examines the roles of insulin and glucagon, explains the altered metabolism which gives rise to diabetes and details the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Section 2, the two main types of diabetes are discussed, together with current hypotheses about causal factors. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes are listed and discussed, and insulin resistance is explained. Case histories are provided to illustrate each type and sub-type.
Section 3, hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia are compared and contrasted, and the short and long term effects of each are detailed. The complications of diabetes, namely neuropathy, nephropathy, gastropathy, angiopathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease are covered, together with diabetic skin conditions, hypertension and psychological factors.
Section 4 gives a brief history of diabetes treatment over the centuries, then moves on to discuss diagnostic criteria. The UK National Service Framework for Diabetes is outlined, so that individuals will understand what patients can expect from the NHS. This section also covers the current medical management of type 1, explaining the different types of insulin and recommended insulin regimes, then looks at management of type 2, together with a discussion of other drugs commonly used in diabetes. There is a sub-section on patient self-care, then a brief discussion of the current nutritional and exercise advice. It is anticipated that this course should be a preliminary step to further studies either in nutrition for diabetes or in exercise for diabetes.
