Stress and Diabetes

Stress and Diabetes

• Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion or action.
• There are two types of diabetes: Type I (DMI) and Type II (DM2).
• Type I Diabetes is an autoimmune reaction that destroys beta cells in the pancreas, hindering insulin production, and typically develops in childhood or adolescence.
• Type II Diabetes is a result of insulin resistance, where the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin, and is often managed through lifestyle changes and insulin support.

Biological Factors in Stress and Diabetes

• The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) response to stress decreases insulin production in the pancreas and releases glucose into the bloodstream.
• The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress increases blood glucose levels, causing hyperglycemia, and competes with glucose for uptake by cells.

Environmental Factors in Stress and Diabetes

• Family history plays a significant role in the incidence and severity of diabetes, with genetic risk and lifestyle factors contributing to the development of diabetes.
• Environmental stressors, including burnout, poverty, and social stigma, can impair glycemic control and increase the risk of developing Type II Diabetes.
• Dietary factors, such as eating patterns and the type of fat consumed, are also associated with the development of Type II Diabetes.

Psychological Factors in Stress and Diabetes

• Depression is a common co-morbid condition among adults with diabetes, and is associated with a 60-65% increased risk of diabetes mellitus.
• Depression can lead to abnormal HPA axis functioning, glucose dysregulation, and worse diabetes-related outcomes.
• Stress management training has been shown to reduce the risk of microvascular complications in patients with Type II Diabetes.

Studies on Stress and Diabetes

• A study on Pima Indians found that mental arithmetic tests induced an increase in blood glucose levels, but not in a control group of white subjects.

• A study on mice with Type II Diabetes found that stress enhanced the inability to deal with glucose, and that the interaction between diabetes and stress causes diabetic reactions.

• A study on healthy workers found an association between burnout and Type II Diabetes, with a 1.84-fold increased risk.### Diabetes Overview

• Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder caused by a defect in insulin secretion or action, resulting in chronic hyperglycemia.

• Diabetes complications (if left untreated): nervous system disorders, blindness, kidney diseases, amputation, sexual dysfunction.

Classification of Diabetes

• Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (DMI): an autoimmune reaction involving the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, hindering insulin production.
• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM2): development of insulin resistance, where insulin is not properly utilized.

Biological Factors in Stress and Diabetes

• Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) response: decreases insulin production in the pancreas and releases glucose into the bloodstream.
• Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis: increases blood glucose levels, causing hyperglycemia, and affects diabetes management.

Stress and Diabetes

• Stress enhances the inability to deal with glucose, causing diabetic reactions.
• Environmental stress impairs glycemic control by interfering with dietary and treatment compliance in diabetics.

Burnout and Risk for Type II Diabetes

• Association of burnout with Type II diabetes in healthy workers (1.84-fold increase).

Depression and Type II Diabetes

• Clinically significant depression is associated with a 60-65% increased risk of diabetes mellitus.
• Depression is a common co-morbid condition among adults with diabetes, making diabetes management difficult.

Stress Management and Type II Diabetes

• Stress management training was associated with a small but significant (0.5%) reduction in Glycated hemoglobin test (HbA1c), measuring glucose levels in blood.

Social Stigma and Type II Diabetes

• Women in poverty, especially African American women, are at greater risk for developing Type II Diabetes due to limited access to healthy food and increased stress.
• Obesity is viewed as being under the person's control, leading to increased daily stress and feelings of blame, guilt, and helplessness, impacting diabetes management.

Learn about the classification of Diabetes Mellitus Type I and II, as well as the complications that can arise from untreated diabetes. Explore how dysfunction of the pancreas affects glucose metabolism and how chronic hyperglycemia can lead to various health issues.