Stress and Diabetes:

Most people don't realize that stress

 affects their blood glucose levels.

 Diabetics are influenced by stress.

This is why doctors, recognizing this,

try to make their patients aware of the

 damage stress can have on them.

Stress affects blood glucose

in two ways:

• 1. Stress prevents the body from
•  producing enough insulin. It causes
•  a buildup of glucose in the blood,
•  damaging the body.

   Stress causes "the fight or flight"

syndrome to take place in our bodies.

The body responds by using more glucose.

 But without the proper amount of insulin

the glucose builds up in the blood,

causing a higher than normal blood reading.

Does stress cause diabetes?

   Stress does not directly cause diabetes,

 but those who are pre-diabetic see

the symptoms emerge sooner. The body

stops responding normally to insulin

as well as produces less insulin in the

pancreas when under stress. This

 creates a twofold problem, making the

symptoms more apparent.

Mental or physical?

   It has been shown that both mental

 and physical stress can cause diabetes

 to worsen. It causes the blood glucose

 levels to raise in type 2 diabetics

• 2. The second way stress affects
•  diabetics is it can cause them to
• drink more alcohol, over eat, and
•  neglect their personal care. This is
•  because they concentrate on getting
• rid of the stress in their lives. Most
•  doctors agree stress is something
• which must be watched for and
• brought under control.

      Stress is a fact of life, and is

sometimes good. It can give us an

edge in business and competition.

 But too much stress is not good.  

It can lead to physical and mental

problems, besides affecting diabetics.

   The problem with stress is our bodies

 release hormones, whose sole purpose

 is to release energy in the form of

glucose and fat, which provide fuel to

 the cells.These stress hormones

include adrenaline and steroid type

hormones which are secreted by the

adrenal glands. There are also growth

hormones made by the pituitary gland.

 If you are under stress, this can also

 lead to problems with these glands.

Diabetes diagnoses:

   Many people when first diagnosed

with diabetes find it a stressful situation.

 Mostly because they are not expecting

 it, it comes as a shock. Also, they are

unfamiliar with the symptoms and

 complications, but have heard horror

stories about it. It is up to your physician

 to reduce your fears. He should tell you

 that diabetes is manageable with the

right treatment. Plus with modern

science we are getting closer to a cure.

Relaxation therapy:

   Teaching people to relax and deal

 with stress seems to help type 2

diabetics. There are many ways to

accomplish this.

   We all experience stress from time

 to time. But prolonged stress can

cause mental and physical problems

 plus it can affect your diabetes.

Although stress is a natural part of life,

 if you have diabetes, learning to avoid,

 anticipate and manage stress is important.

 This will help you to keep your insulin

 levels under control, as well as helping

you live a healthy lifestyle.

   There are many factors to be aware

 of when trying to manage your stress levels.

Strategies to de-stress yourself:

   The most important step you can

 take is to take time for yourself. Most

people do not allow themselves time to

 relax and unwind. It is natural when you

 are under stress to avoid yourself. But

 it is essential you

 "take some time for yourself".

 Work, friends and community all

 make demands. But you will be no

 good to anyone if you are sick!

Take time to relax, apply some

relaxation techniques.

   Get proper sleep. Stay away from

medications that help you sleep.

 The quality of your sleep will not be

as good as normal. Sleep restores

 the body and mind to good health.

 A lot of times something that was

bothering you before bed doesn't

seem as bad in the morning. Also avoid

 using alcohol to help you sleep, as you

won't get the benefits of the nights rest.

   Only do the things you need to do.

 Don't overload yourself with useless

 activities that cause stress. Allow

 yourself lots of time to accomplish

 each task, and most important learn

 how "to say no" to things that will

bring you stress, or are not necessary for

 your well being.

   Take care of your diabetes. Make sure

you keep an eye on your readings, this

will reduce stress. And you will be able

 to keep your physician properly informed.

   Just as important as saying no, is

learning to "say yes" to offers of help

from others. We all want to be

 self -sufficient, but it will lower your

 stress considerably by having a

good support system.

   There are countless ways of relieving

 stress; it is a whole topic in itself.

 Being a person with diabetes it is

 essential you learn some of them

and apply them to your life.

 Your body will thank you.

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