Final answer:
Corticosteroid-induced diabetes mellitus is diagnosed with tests like glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Type 1 diabetes, often an autoimmune response, and Type 2 can both lead to complications like ketoacidosis if not managed properly. Initial encounters require careful assessments to tailor appropriate treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original question relates to an initial encounter for corticosteroid-induced diabetes mellitus. Corticosteroids, such as cortisone and prednisone, can cause elevated blood glucose levels, leading to a form of diabetes known as corticosteroid-induced diabetes. This condition is a type of secondary diabetes, which is distinct from the primary types of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2).
For diagnosing and confirming diabetes, various tests can be used, including glucose tolerance tests and insulin tolerance tests. The glucose tolerance test measures how well the body processes sugar and usually demonstrates hyperglycemia in cases where diabetes is present. The insulin tolerance test can help confirm the type of diabetes by observing hypoglycemic responses. In Type 1 diabetes (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus), hypoglycemia is observed after insulin administration due to the lack of natural insulin production.
Some individuals develop Type 1 diabetes as a result of an autoimmune response where their immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes, while traditionally considered a metabolic disorder, is characterized by chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and is increasingly thought to involve an autoimmune response as well.
Those with Type 1 diabetes are at risk of ketoacidosis if insulin doses are missed, while individuals with Type 2 diabetes, particularly of certain ethnic backgrounds, can also experience this complication, although it is less common.