By Beverleigh H Piepers
Depression and diabetes often go together. People with diabetes are twice as likely as non-diabetics to suffer a major depressive disorder and to be taking antidepressants. The question of what causes the link is one that scientists are trying to answer.
One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, March 2011 looked at sugar intake and depression in elderly home-bound people. The work was undertaken at the Department of Public Health and Family Medicine at Tufts University in the United States. Nine hundred and seventy-six people were included in the study. Those who were depressed had a higher level of sugar intake and higher levels of insulin than those who were not depressed. Could sugar cravings caused by depression be behind the development of Type 2 diabetes? Perhaps constantly high levels of insulin cause the body to develop insensitivity to it. More research is needed.
Depression is a problem in itself, but it can also be associated with physical health problems. Performing everyday activities is difficult with depression, and keeping blood sugar under control is likely to be more difficult for the depressed person than for the happy one. Research is actually showing that depression itself often leads to weight gain, particularly of visceral fat, the type of belly fat that leads to insulin resistance.
Researchers in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle looked at depression in diabetic patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Their results were published in the April 2011 edition of the journal Psychosomatics. Three thousand five hundred and ninety-six diabetics were included in the study. It was found diabetics with major depression were more likely to be admitted to ICU and had more days of hospitalization than non-depressed diabetics. It was therefore concluded treatment for depression might lessen the need for intensive medical care.
What can be done to treat depression and improve Type 2 diabetes?
Researchers in Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Genesys Health System in Flint, Michigan, tried a program of telephone counseling and walking to attempt to alleviate depression in diabetics. The results of their work were published in Medical Care, April 2011.
Two hundred and ninety-one volunteers with Type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was given by telephone:
* managing depression
* physical activity, and
* Type 2 diabetes
were discussed every week for 12 weeks, then once a month for 9 months. Their walking distance was also measured. Hemoglobin A1c levels were already fairly well controlled and no difference was seen between levels at the beginning and end of the study.
Results showed:
* their physical activity increased
* blood pressures went down
* patients felt less depressed
* coping with diabetes and general health improved
If you are depressed, do your part to help yourself and don't hesitate to get help from a counselor, psychologist or another health professional. Don't let depression derail your diabetes management efforts. With help you will feel better and your Type 2 diabetes management will become easier.
Depression and diabetes often go together. People with diabetes are twice as likely as non-diabetics to suffer a major depressive disorder and to be taking antidepressants. The question of what causes the link is one that scientists are trying to answer.
One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, March 2011 looked at sugar intake and depression in elderly home-bound people. The work was undertaken at the Department of Public Health and Family Medicine at Tufts University in the United States. Nine hundred and seventy-six people were included in the study. Those who were depressed had a higher level of sugar intake and higher levels of insulin than those who were not depressed. Could sugar cravings caused by depression be behind the development of Type 2 diabetes? Perhaps constantly high levels of insulin cause the body to develop insensitivity to it. More research is needed.
Depression is a problem in itself, but it can also be associated with physical health problems. Performing everyday activities is difficult with depression, and keeping blood sugar under control is likely to be more difficult for the depressed person than for the happy one. Research is actually showing that depression itself often leads to weight gain, particularly of visceral fat, the type of belly fat that leads to insulin resistance.
Researchers in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle looked at depression in diabetic patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Their results were published in the April 2011 edition of the journal Psychosomatics. Three thousand five hundred and ninety-six diabetics were included in the study. It was found diabetics with major depression were more likely to be admitted to ICU and had more days of hospitalization than non-depressed diabetics. It was therefore concluded treatment for depression might lessen the need for intensive medical care.
What can be done to treat depression and improve Type 2 diabetes?
Researchers in Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Genesys Health System in Flint, Michigan, tried a program of telephone counseling and walking to attempt to alleviate depression in diabetics. The results of their work were published in Medical Care, April 2011.
Two hundred and ninety-one volunteers with Type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was given by telephone:
* managing depression
* physical activity, and
* Type 2 diabetes
were discussed every week for 12 weeks, then once a month for 9 months. Their walking distance was also measured. Hemoglobin A1c levels were already fairly well controlled and no difference was seen between levels at the beginning and end of the study.
Results showed:
* their physical activity increased
* blood pressures went down
* patients felt less depressed
* coping with diabetes and general health improved
If you are depressed, do your part to help yourself and don't hesitate to get help from a counselor, psychologist or another health professional. Don't let depression derail your diabetes management efforts. With help you will feel better and your Type 2 diabetes management will become easier.
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