Testing It Up

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have good news to share regarding diabetics.

CDC researchers reported a sharp drop in the death rate for diabetics, which was attributed to better management of blood sugar levels, as well as improved tools for the management of heart disease.

In a report in the journal Diabetes Care, it was revealed that death rates for diabetics from all causes fell 23 percent, while death rates from heart disease fell 40 percent, from 1997 and 2006.

The good news, however, is accompanied by a reality that is not as impressive: the growing number of people suffering from diabetes places an increasing burden on the health care system in the United States. To date, the U.S. spends an estimated $174 billion annually on diabetes, which includes $116 billion in direct medical costs.

The study, conducted by a team led by epidemiologist Edward W. Gregg of the division of diabetes translation of the CDC, included an evaluation of data on nearly 250,000 adults gathered through the 1997-2004 National Health Interview Survey, as well as a comparison of this data against deaths reported in the National Health Death Index.

The number of Americans suffering from diabetes in the United States has increased more than threefold since 1980, primarily due to an increase in Type 2 diabetes, a health condition associated with obesity, inactivity, and aging. According to CDC estimates, 25.8 million Americans have diabetes, but 7 million of these diabetics do not know it.

A new study found that diabetes affects more than just one’s physical health. It also impacts one’s emotional health, and the emotional roller coaster ride can affect diabetes management. It’s like a vicious cycle really.

Joe Solowiejczyk, a certified diabetes educator and a manager of diabetes counseling and training at the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute in Milpitas, California, shared: “Diabetes gives you so much to worry about that it’s exhausting. It can make you feel powerless. I think it’s important to acknowledge that, from time to time, you’re going to have a meltdown. You’re going to have days when you feel exasperated, frustrated, sad, in denial and physically exhausted.”

It has previously been discovered that long periods of high blood-sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes can trigger production of a hormone linked to depression. Uncontrolled diabetes may also worsen depression.

Hypoglycemia or low blood-sugar levels, which happen when someone has taken too much insulin or hasn’t eaten enough food, may cause irritability and agression. Hyperglycemia or high blood-sugar levels, on the other hand,
can make one feel weird, grouchy and uncomfortable.

Solowiejczyk explained “that the brain operates totally on glucose. When you don’t have enough glucose, things start breaking down and your cognitive function doesn’t work that well. This is a physiological, not an emotional, response.”

He added that managing emotions is important and people should be talking to their doctors or therapists about such mood changes. Diabetes is hard, and all of those feelings come along with the disease. But if you’re [irritable] and angry or if you’re sad all the time, you’re not going to take care of yourself.”

Alcohol and diabetes are two things that may not mix, if one is only to look at the fact that alcohol is processed by our bodies in very much the same way that fat is. For someone suffering from diabetes, alcohol consumption will lead to a rise in blood sugar levels – something that can spell disaster for diabetes patients.

Alcohol can be a two-edged sword for diabetics. Moderate levels of alcohol causes blood sugar levels to rise, but excess alcohol can result in the exact opposite: blood sugar levels can drop, sometimes to dangerously low levels. The carbohydrates in beer and sweet wine can increase blood sugar levels. Alcohol can stimulate appetite, leading to overeating. Alcohol can also interfere with the positive effects that oral medicines or insulin brings.

So does that mean one can no longer have champagne on New Year’s, or wine at Thanksgiving? Someone suffering from diabetes does not necessarily have to swear away alcohol altogether. The key is to drink alcohol only occasionally – such as on special occasions – and to do so only when diabetes and blood sugar levels are well-controlled.

A feature on WebMD shares things to remember about alcohol consumption and diabetes.

Diabetes sufferers should not consume more than two drinks of alcohol in a day (one drink is defined as: a 5-ounce glass of wine, 1 1/2-ounce “shot” of liquor or 12-ounce beer). One should remember to drink alcohol slowly, and only with food. Diabetics are reminded to avoid sugary mixed drinks, sweet wines, and cordials. It is also advisable to mix liquor with water or diet soft drinks.