Psycosocial Effects of diabetes
Substantial literature documents the prevalence and course of psychiatric disorders, particularly affective and anxiety disorders, in adults with diabetes . Research findings have demonstrated that depression is more common in patients with diabetes than in the general population; at least 15% of patients have clinical depression . Findings indicate that depression is associated with worse glycemic control and health complications , as well as decreased quality of life , and is likely to be persistent . A recent meta-analysis confirms the association of depression with hyperglycemia and complications in both adult type 1 and type 2 diabetes . Evidence from prospective studies indicates that depression doubles the risk of the incidence of type 2 diabetes, independent of its association with other risk factors . In patients with preexisting diabetes, depression is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and seems to accelerate its presentation. Research has also shown that anxiety disorders are common in adults with diabetes and linked with poor glycemic control.
Retrieved February 24, 2012 www.AmericaDiabetesAssociation/care.diabetesjournal.org
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. When the body turns the food eaten into energy, insulin is used to move this sugar into the cells. If someone produce little or no insulin, or of the body cannot use this insulin, the sugar remains in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. Overtime high levels of sugar in the blood damage tiny blood vessels throughout the body including filters of the kidneys. As more damage occurs in the kidneys, more fluid and waste remain in the bloodstream instead of being removed. High levels of glucose coupled with high blood pressure can accelerate damage to tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. This leads to decreased functions of the kidneys. If left untreated,