November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

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As holidays approach and seasonal expectations and demands approach these interesting times, it is not uncommon for some people, especially older adults, to catch the “holiday blues” case. But it’s more than just a “blues”, and it’s important to know how other conditions, such as diabetes, are associated with depression.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, an ideal opportunity for older people and others to learn how diabetes and depression are closely linked.

• Diabetes is a condition that affects about 34.2 million Americans.
• According to the Utah Public Health Service, more than 150,000 people in Utah have diabetes.
• It is one of the leading causes of heart disease.
• Diabetes is more common in the elderly.
• Older people are also more susceptible to depression because they feel more lonely. Unfortunately, when depression co-exists with another illness, such as diabetes, it is often overlooked.
• Studies show that adults with depression have a 37% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) health condition that affects how the body converts food into energy or sugar (also known as glucose). When blood sugar levels rise, it signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is the key to getting your blood sugar into your body’s cells and using it as energy. People with diabetes may not make enough insulin or make too much. Over time, this can cause serious health problems – heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, stroke, and other health problems.

In addition to gestational diabetes found in pregnant women, there are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

• Type 1-It is believed to be an autoimmune reaction that stops your body from making insulin.
• The main concerns for adults are type 2 diabetes and prediabetes

• Type 2 – Your body does not use insulin well and cannot keep your blood sugar at normal levels.
• About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

The risk factors are:

• Overweight
• Have a family history
• Being physically inactive
• Being over 45 years old

Type 2 can be prevented or delayed by choosing a healthy lifestyle, such as losing weight, eating healthy foods, and being active.

Prediabetes – More than 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes (about 88 million Americans according to the CDC), which can lead to type 2 if left unchecked. However, a healthy lifestyle change program can help you get it back.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to develop depression than people without diabetes. In addition, as diabetic complications worsen, you are more likely to develop depression.

Only 25% to 50% of diabetics with depression are diagnosed and treated. Untreated mental health problems can exacerbate diabetes, and diabetes problems can exacerbate mental health problems.

These depressive symptoms can affect how diabetics manage their condition.

• Low motivation. People with depression may not have the motivation to manage diabetes properly.
• Malaise. Depression often leads to malaise, which leads to lack of exercise. This is an important part of diabetes management.
• Hopelessness and helplessness can lead to “giving up” on the diabetes treatment you need.
• Change in appetite. You eat more or less than before. It can lead to unstable glucose levels that are either too high or too low.
• Inadequate stress management. Ongoing anxiety and stress can increase cortisol levels, complicating blood sugar control.

Talk to your healthcare professional about diabetes and the link between diabetes and depression and take the necessary steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Question? For more information, please call 1-866-637-5268 or TTY711.

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