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dorothy
Forums Member
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 8
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# Posted: 18 Jun 2007 02:43
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I read somewhere that stress can cause diabetes. Is it true?
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Vishal
Admin
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 152
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# Posted: 18 Jun 2007 06:39
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Although stress doesn't cause diabetes, it can have a negative affect on the condition by changing blood glucose levels directly or indirectly. Blood glucose levels can be directly altered from stress hormones, or stress can indirectly affect diabetes through poor lifestyle choices. Often, people under stress don't take good care of their health. They tend to exercise less, eat a poor diet and drink more alcohol.
Medical research has found that mental stress either causes glucose levels to rise or go down in people with type 1 diabetes, but in most people with type 2 diabetes, mental stress causes glucose levels to rise. On the other hand, physical stress that results from illness or injury causes higher glucose levels in people with both types.
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karan23
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Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 18 Jun 2007 23:48
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The best way to control stress to stop blood glucose levels from rising is to incorporate regular relaxation techniques into your lifestyle such as:
Exercise – Try going for a 20-30 minute walk everyday, or consider dancing if you would like a more fun activity. Other great exercises are ones that focus on breathing and stretching such as Yoga and Tai Chi.
Progressive relaxation therapy – This is a method that involves tensing and relaxing your muscles. You can learn how to do it by going to a clinic or by purchasing an audio tape or CD.
Slow down – Take breaks throughout the day and whenever you can. Don't skip meals or rush through them.
Maintain a positive attitude – When you a positive mental outlook on life, you are less likely to blow sudden events out of proportion and cause unnecessary stress. Laughter helps you to relax and releases tension, and when you look on the bright side of things, life is less intense.
Education – Sometimes we experience stress because we feel overwhelmed by a situation we know nothing about. For instance, being diagnosed with diabetes can cause stress. However, learning all about diabetes, and understanding how you can control the disease and make the most of your life, can help reduce the stress you feel towards your condition. Talk to you doctor, read books, or do research online to learn as much as you can.
Monitor your diet – One of the symptoms of stress that can have an indirect affect on your diabetes is known as "comfort eating". It is when one takes comfort from the stress they are feeling by indulging in foods rich in sugar and bad fats such as chocolate, chips, fried foods and other sweets. These foods can send blood glucose levels through the roof.
If you want to know whether or not mental stress is affecting your glucose levels you can find out by following this simple procedure:
1. Rate your mental stress level between 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) and write it down
2. Write your glucose level next to it.
3. Do this every day and then after a week check to see if there is a pattern.
If you find that high glucose levels are occurring with high stress levels and low glucose levels with low stress levels, then the stress in your life may very well be affecting your diabetes.
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dorothy
Forums Member
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 8
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# Posted: 19 Jun 2007 05:06
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Thanks for clearing my doubts 
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TajviRAC
Forums Member
Joined: 7 Apr 2008
Posts: 80
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# Posted: 25 Apr 2008 09:29
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Thanks karan,
That’s a great piece of advice. I have never heard something like this before.
I really didn't have any idea about this link between stress and diabetes. However, I've always heard that diabetes is the reason behind many many diseases. However, this stress factor is quite interesting to find.
Regards,
taj
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