Diabetes greatly increases the risk of depression and anxiety, among other problems.
- Should we all wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic?
- What is a supercontager?
- Does vinegar kill anisakis?
Diabetes is a disease that, unfortunately, is increasingly prevalent in our world. It is estimated that almost 422 million people worldwide suffer from it . However, many people are still unaware of the full impact it has. An example is the relationship between diabetes and mental health.
Diabetes is basically that our body cannot produce or use insulin. Insulin is the ‘key’ that allows glucose to enter the cells, since they need it as a nutrient for energy.
The problem is that glucose remains in the blood and, if its concentration remains high over time, it damages the tissues. For this reason, it is very important to keep a good control of its levels and the treatment of this pathology.
However, this disease does not simply affect the body, but it can also influence mental health . In this article we explain what their relationship is and what kind of problems can result from diabetes.
What does diabetes consist of?
As we have mentioned, diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use it to introduce glucose into the cells. There are different types of diabetes, but the most important are type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood and is characterized by the fact that the pancreas cannot secrete insulin. Therefore, its treatment is usually by injecting this hormone to control glucose levels.
Type 2 is more common in adulthood and is that insulin cannot be used . It is the one that affects a greater number of people, since it is closely related to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Both types can happen at any age and in anyone, although it is true that there is an important genetic influence. The big problem with diabetes is the number of complications that appear over time , since it increases the risk of many other diseases.
You might like: Eating in type II diabetes: what you should know
How does diabetes affect mental health?
Diabetes affects many areas of the life of those who suffer it , mainly because it involves a great responsibility. Treatment requires control not only at the drug level, but also in eating and activity habits.
Therefore, it is very common for this disease to cause very high levels of stress . The stress itself causes cortisol to be released , a hormone that also influences glucose metabolism. In the end, everything is intimately related.
People with diabetes are forced to avoid certain behaviors or actions . For example, it is contraindicated to drink alcohol or eat whatever you want without properly controlling food. This can increase anxiety and demotivation.
In addition, it is a pathology, in a way, unpredictable . Sometimes, no matter how much effort is expended in carrying out all the controls, the expected results may not be obtained. Frustration levels rise dramatically when this occurs.
You may be interested: Diabetes in children and adolescents
What mental pathologies are related to diabetes?
Unfortunately, diabetes is closely related to mental health. It is estimated that the risk of depression is almost 3 times higher in a person with this disease . Similarly, generalized anxiety disorder is very present in these patients.
For all this, it is very important to understand this pathology as a great determining factor in life , not only on a physical level. It is recommended that people diagnosed with diabetes go to some type of therapy to cope with the situation.
Remember that the body and the mind influence each other continuously. Any mental problem can negatively influence the course of another disease, such as diabetes. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to both areas.
