Connection Between Diabetes And Mood Swings

How Diet Can Affect Mood Swings

(Note: This is not about Bipolar Disorder; this is about ordinary mood swings that aren’t signs of anything else.) Maybe it’s ups and downs that feel like they come out nowhere: suddenly you’re happy for no reason, and then half an hour later you’re irritable and snapping at everyone and you’re not quite sure how you got there. Or maybe you can find a “reason” but it’s such a tiny thing that it just doesn’t seem normal to be so affected by it: who suddenly plunges into a horrible mood because the grocery store was out of your favorite tomatoes? Mood swings, or wildly unstable moods, have all kinds of causes. Hormones are the most famous (see: menopause, pregnancy, PMS). But actually, diet might also be a factor. Blood sugar control, gut health, and diet-related stress can all affect mood stability – here’s a look. (If you want food and mental health in general, go here). Blood Sugar and Mood Swings Let’s start with that great emotional regulator: sugar. Plenty of people use sugar to regulate their own moods (self-medicating with chocolate when they’re down), and the really dangerous thing about that is that it (temporarily) works. We’ve covered that here. But even if you’re not trying to use sugar as a mood enhancer, levels of blood sugar and blood sugar control still have a giant effect on your mood. An extreme example is people with diabetes, who are very vulnerable to blood sugar highs and crashes. Highs and crashes can cause instant changes in mood and behavior, making the person angry, irritable, and even aggressive or violent. This study found that… Low blood sugar was associated with “negative mood states,” especially nervousness High blood sugar was sometimes associated with “positive mood states,” but it could also be ass Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Complications

MORE Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops, or is first diagnosed, during pregnancy. The condition, like other forms of diabetes, involves high blood sugar levels. Often times, gestational diabetes is a temporary disorder that occurs around the second trimester of pregnancy, and disappears after a woman gives birth. "Even if a woman had required quite a bit of therapy and treatment to keep her blood sugars under control when she was pregnant … usually the day after delivery, [her] sugars go back down to normal," said Dr. Christopher Glantz, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. But women who've had gestational diabetes should be monitored closely after birth, because they are more likely to develop diabetes later in life, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A 2014 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 4 and 9 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently among certain ethic groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders according to the March of Dimes. Symptoms Women with gestational diabetes usually have no symptoms or mild, non-life-threatening symptoms, according to the NIH. These symptoms are mostly related to abnormal blood sugar levels, and can include fatigue, excessive thirst and increased urination. Causes During pregnancy, changes happen in the mother's body to make sugar more available to the fetus, Glantz said. One of these changes is that the placenta produces hormones that interfere with the action of insulin, a hormone that helps sugar (or glucose) get from the bloodstream into cells. This means that sugar i Continue reading >>

Is There A Link Between Diabetes And Depression? Know The Facts

Some studies show that having diabetes doubles your risk of developing depression. If diabetes-related health problems emerge, your risk for depression can increase even further. It remains unclear exactly why this is. Some researchers suggest that this could be due to diabetes' metabolic effect on brain function as well as the toll day-to-day management can take. It’s also possible that people with depression are more likely to develop diabetes. Because of this, it’s recommended that people who have a history of depression be screened for diabetes. Keep reading for more on the connection between diabetes and depression, as well as information on diagnosis, treatment, and more. Although more research is needed to fully understand the link between diabetes and depression, it’s clear that there’s a connection. It’s thought that alterations in brain chemistry tied to diabetes may be related to the development of depression. For example, damage resulting from diabetic neuropathy or blocked blood vessels in the brain may contribute to the development of depression in people with diabetes. Conversely, changes in the brain due to depression may cause an increased risk for complications. Studies have shown that people with depression are at higher risk for diabetes complications, but is has been difficult to determine which causes which. It hasn’t been determined if depression increases the risk for complications, or vice versa. Symptoms of depression can make it more difficult to successfully manage diabetes and prevent diabetes-related complications. A 2011 study found that people who have type 2 diabetes and experience symptoms of depression often have higher blood sugar levels. Additionally, the results of a separate 2011 study suggest that people who have both Continue reading >>

Diabetes

People with diabetes have high blood glucose levels caused by a problem with the hormone insulin. The two main types of diabetes are type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). There is no cure, but symptoms can be controlled with diet, exercise and medication. If untreated, high blood glucose levels can result in serious complications. On this page: Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high. Blood glucose levels are normally regulated by the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Diabetes occurs when there is a problem with this hormone and how it works in the body. Around 5.1 per cent of Australians aged 18 years or older have diabetes. The risk of diabetes increases with age, from 2.8 per cent in people aged 35 to 44, to 15.0 per cent in those aged 65 to 74. Aboriginal people have one of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the world. Glucose in the body The body uses glucose as its main source of energy. Glucose comes from foods that contain carbohydrates, such as potatoes, bread, pasta, rice, fruit and milk. After food is digested, the glucose is released and absorbed into the bloodstream. The glucose in the bloodstream needs to move into body tissues so that cells can use it for energy. Excess glucose is also stored in the liver, or converted to fat and stored in other body tissues. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, which is a gland located just below the stomach. Insulin opens the doors (the glucose channels) that let glucose move from the blood into the body cells. It also allows glucose to be stored in muscle, the liver and other tissues. This is part of a process known as glucose metabolism. In diabetes, either the pancreas can’t make insulin (type 1 diabetes), or Continue reading >>

Diabetes Symptoms You Can’t Afford To Ignore & What You Can Do About Them

In the U.S., diabetes — or diabetes mellitus (DM) — is full-blown epidemic, and that’s not hyperbole. An estimated 29 million Americans have some form of diabetes, nearly 10 percent of the population, and even more alarming, the average American has a one in three chance of developing diabetes symptoms at some point in his or her lifetime. (1) The statistics are alarming, and they get even worse. Another 86 million people have prediabetes, with up to 30 percent of them developing type 2 diabetes within five years. And perhaps the most concerning, about a third of people who have diabetes — approximately 8 million adults — are believed to be undiagnosed and unaware. That’s why it’s so vital to understand and recognize diabetes symptoms. And there’s actually good news. While there’s technically no known “cure” for diabetes — whether it’s type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes — there’s plenty that can be done to help reverse diabetes naturally, control diabetes symptoms and prevent diabetes complications. The Most Common Diabetes Symptoms Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results from problems controlling the hormone insulin. Diabetes symptoms are a result of higher-than-normal levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood. With type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually develop sooner and at a younger age than with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes also normally causes more severe symptoms. In fact, because type 2 diabetes signs and symptoms can be minimal in some cases, it sometimes can go diagnosed for a long period of time, causing the problem to worsen and long-term damage to develop. While it’s still not entirely known how this happens, prolonged exposure to high blood sugar can damage nerve fibers that affect the blood vessels, heart, e Continue reading >>

Learn The Surprising Connection Between Diabetes, Stress And Blood Sugar Management.

Stress contributes to everything from headaches and bad moods to sleep problems and heart disease. And if you're one of the 422 million people around the world who have diabetes, whatever's stressing you out could also be affecting your blood sugar levels. Research from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) shows that stress – whether physical or mental – can significantly influence blood sugar levels. While physical stressors, such as illness, surgery or injury, generally cause blood sugar levels to increase, mental or emotional stress can go either way depending on the type of diabetes you have, explains Rachel Johnson, R.D., a registered dietitian specializing in diabetes management at Abbott. In response to stress, blood sugar levels often increase in those with Type 2 diabetes, the most common form. However, in those with Type 1 diabetes, mental stress can either increase or decrease blood sugar levels, according to the ADA. The Stress-Blood Sugar Connection So what’s really happening inside your body when you’re stressed? When you feel stressed, you’re feeling the effects of the body’s “fight or flight” hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. Released when your body perceives a threat (whether that’s a mountain lion or looming work deadline), the hormones trigger your body to release extra glucose, or blood sugar, for a boost of energy, Johnson says. This happens in general for people, but when someone has diabetes, this surge can stay high because the body has trouble taking up and using glucose. Stress also can affect your blood sugar levels indirectly by causing you to forget about your regular diabetes care routine. When you're stressed out, it can be easy to forget to test your blood sugar or take your meds or insulin on time. Mental stress (as Continue reading >>

The Hypothyroidism - Depression Connection

By: Hotze Health | Tags: Hypothyroidism , Hypothyroidism - Depression , depression | Comments: 0 | March 30th, 2017 Approximately 12 million women in the United States experience clinical depression each year. Depression occurs most frequently in women aged 25 to 44. Women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men. Research shows a definite connection between hypothyroidism and depression, and it has been well established that depression is a symptom of low thyroid function. People with depression, anxiety and psychiatric problems often have low levels of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesnt produce enough thyroid hormone or thyroid hormone isnt being used efficiently at the cellular level. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as low thyroid function that goes undiagnosed because it is below the surface of clinical detection, or has no recognizable clinical findings. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as a condition without typical symptoms of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH, and normal circulating thyroid hormone. People with hypothyroidism may experience any or all of the following symptoms, but will often be misdiagnosed because of a single blood test: constant tiredness, difficulty losing weight, constipation, coarse hair, dry skin, cold intolerance, muscle cramps, memory loss, irritability, and abnormal menstrual cycles. Thyroid hormone governs our bodys metabolism and energy production. Without adequate levels of thyroid hormone and its proper utilization, symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, brain fog and poor concentration become increasingly prevalent. The Relationship Between Hypothyroidism and Depression Patients with thyroid disorders are more prone to develop depressive symptoms. Toda Continue reading >>

And Diabetes

Diabetes is a common, life-long condition that occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin it does produce doesn’t work properly. Insulin is a hormone that transfers glucose from the bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy. If you have diabetes, your body cannot make proper use of this glucose so it builds up in the blood instead of moving into your cells. The chances of developing diabetes may depend on a mix of your genes and your lifestyle. Drinking to excess, for example, can contribute to individuals becoming diabetic. Diabetes is a manageable condition. But when it’s not well managed, it is associated with serious health complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage and amputations2. There are two main types of diabetes3 Type 1 diabetes develops if the body can’t produce enough insulin, because insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. It can happen: Because of genetic factors When a virus or infection triggers an autoimmune response (where the body starts attacking itself). People who have this type of diabetes are usually diagnosed before they’re 40 and there’s currently no way to prevent it. It’s the least common type of diabetes – only 10% of all cases are type 14. Type 2 diabetes. Develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the body becomes resistant to insulin. It can happen: When people are overweight and inactive. People who are an ‘apple-shape’ (with lots of fat around the abdomen) have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes Because of genetic factors. People who have this type of diabetes are usually diagnosed when they’re over 40, and it’s more common in men. However, more overweight children and Continue reading >>

Thyroid Disorders And Diabetes

Thyroid disorders are very common in the general U.S. population, affecting up to 27 million Americans, although half that number remains undiagnosed. It is second only to diabetes as the most common condition to affect the endocrine system — a group of glands that secrete hormones that help regulate growth, reproduction, and nutrient use by cells. As a result, it is common for an individual to be affected by both thyroid disease and diabetes. Since the thyroid gland plays a central role in the regulation of metabolism, abnormal thyroid function can have a major impact on the control of diabetes. In addition, untreated thyroid disorder can increase the risk of certain diabetic complications and can aggravate many diabetes symptoms. Luckily, abnormal thyroid function can easily be diagnosed by simple blood tests, and effective treatment is available. For all of these reasons, periodic screening for thyroid disorder should be considered in all people with diabetes. What is the thyroid? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple and above the collarbone. It produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which enter the bloodstream and affect the metabolism of the heart, liver, muscles, and other organs. The thyroid gland operates as part of a feedback mechanism involving the hypothalamus, an area of the brain, and the pituitary gland, which is located within the brain. First, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary through a hormone called TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone). When the pituitary gland receives this signal, it releases TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) to the thyroid gland. Upon receiving TSH, the thyroid responds by producing and releasing the two thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). The Continue reading >>

How Are Diabetes And Mental Health Connected?

Living with diabetes can be stressful as well, according to the American Psychological Association website. For example, people with diabetes might stress over their eating options at restaurants, so its important to develop coping methods for stress and to make sure to plan ahead for some situation. People with diabetes can also learn to recognize negative feelings they have toward diabetes, and then learn how they can treat their diabetes. Mental health professionals can help people with diabetes develop intervention and treatment plans, and they can help with coping strategies. The American Psychological Association website also stated that according to different studies, diabetes can lead to mental health issues like depression and slow mental processing. People with depression may also in general be more prone to type 2 diabetes. The website emphasizes that a very small percentage of people who are diagnosed with diabetes actually follow a treatment plan involving changes in diet, exercise and taking medication, suggesting that people with diabetes are having issues with lifestyle changes. Another study found that people who did work with a mental health professional on behavior change along with making lifestyle changes decreased their chances of getting diabetes. Some experts share even more information about the link between diabetes and mental health. Sujatha Ramakrishna, a clinical psychiatrist, said in an email that people with mental illnesses can be more prone to diabetes and other health problems because they are more likely to make unhealthy choices related to overall health, such as poor eating and exercise habits. People with mental illnesses who take medication can also unknowingly increase their risk of getting diabetes. Antipsychotic medications, al Continue reading >>

Diabetes Type Ii: Overview

Alternative names: Adult Onset Diabetes, Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that leads to sugar (glucose) accumulating in the blood rather than being used as fuel by cells in the body. It is caused by a combination of insulin resistance (loss of sensitivity to insulin) and insulin deficiency. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to very serious complications. Type 2 Diabetes represents some 90-95% of all diabetes cases. The other main type of diabetes is Type 1 Diabetes, also known as Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), in which the body does not produce enough insulin. This is an autoimmune-related disease that usually strikes between the age of 5 and 20 years. A third and newer type of diabetes, unofficially classified as Type 1.5 Diabetes, has features in common with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is also found in a variety of other common disease states including hypertension, atherosclerosis, obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome. In some of these conditions insulin resistance has been shown to be an independent risk factor contributing to the disease and its complications. Incidence; Causes and Development; Contributing Risk Factors Type 2 Diabetes was once thought to be a disease of middle age, but with childhood obesity being on the rise, cases are being diagnosed at every age. The majority of Type 2 diabetics are still over 55. About 1-in-4 people with Type 2 Diabetes are unaware that they have it. Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance is very common in Western society, afflicting tens of millions of individuals in the United States alone. Type 2 Diabetes is more common in older people, especially older women who are overweight. Native Continue reading >>

Is Sugar Sabotaging Your Hormones?

About four years ago, I noticed I was getting moody right before my periods. I’d always considered myself healthy, but knew there were things I could do to improve. As a functional medical doctor, I also knew that nutrition most likely had a lot to do with my mood swings. So I decided to clean up my diet, especially when it came to sugar and refined carbohydrates like pasta, white rice, white potatoes, and bread. Sugar and refined carbohydrates are best known for their effects on weight gain, but these foods are frequently at the root your worst PMS and menopause symptoms, too, especially when it comes to fatigue, cravings, and mood swings. From my own experience and from the women I see daily in my practice, this one step can make a tremendous difference. When I cut sugar (and when I refer to “sugar” I mean all refined carbs, not just the white powdery stuff!), my irritability vanished. Similarly, patients and friends of mine who have stopped eating sugar feel more energy, little to no cravings or cramps, less hot flashes, and much more! Sugar’s effect on your hormones Sugar not only provides major highs and lows in mood and energy, it can also disrupt one of the most powerful hormones in the body: insulin. And insulin is closely connected to all of the other hormones in your body, including estrogen and testosterone. Ref: Abraham, GE. 1983. Nutritional factors in the etiology of premenstrual syndromes. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 28, 446-64. When insulin spikes, typically after a meal high in sugar, this can lead to lower levels of an important protein known as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds excess estrogen and testosterone in the blood, but when it’s low, these hormone levels increase. Insulin also increases the production of testoste Continue reading >>

Links Between Hypertension, Bipolar Disorders Identified

Follow all of ScienceDaily's latest research news and top science headlines ! Links between hypertension, bipolar disorders identified Nearly half of patients hospitalized with bipolar disorder may suffer from hypertension, and the younger a person is diagnosed with the psychiatric condition the more likely they are to develop high blood pressure, according to a recent study. The research analyzed 99 patients hospitalized for bipolar disorder, a condition sometimes called manic-depressive disorder. Nearly half of patients hospitalized with bipolar disorder may suffer from hypertension, and the younger a person is diagnosed with the psychiatric condition the more likely they are to develop high blood pressure, according to a recent Michigan State University study. The study, led by MSU psychiatrist Dale D'Mello, analyzed 99 patients hospitalized for bipolar disorder, a condition sometimes called manic-depressive disorder and characterized by mood swings ranging from depression to mental hyperactivity known as mania. D'Mello presented his findings -- which could lead to improved treatments -- recently at the American Psychiatric Association's 2010 annual meeting in New Orleans. While the connection between such disorders and cardio-metabolic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes has been established, D'Mello also discovered bipolar patients with high blood pressure suffered higher levels of mania. "There is a large clinical relevance to the finding hypertension could be linked to the severity of bipolar disorders," he said. "There is some similarity to the pathology of the two conditions; they both can be triggered by stress and are tied to the excretion of norepinephrine, a hormone affecting how the brain reacts to stress." Understanding how bipolar disorder and Continue reading >>

Diabetes And Mood Swings: Effects On Relationships

Diabetes is a condition that impacts the way a person's body uses sugar for energy. However, diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. It can impact nearly every body system and have an effect on a person's mood. Stress associated with managing diabetes as well as concerns about potential side effects can all contribute to changes in mood. In addition, the actual highs and lows of blood sugar levels may also cause nervousness, anxiety, and confusion. It is important for people to recognize their own individual symptoms of high or low blood sugar. They must also ensure they seek support for any concerning mental health symptoms they might experience. Watching these mood swings can often be difficult for friends and family to understand. However, learning why a person may experience mood changes related to diabetes and being supportive can help to promote a stronger, healthier relationship. Contents of this article: How do diabetes and mood swings go together? Diabetes can have many effects on a person's mood. For example, managing diabetes can be stressful. A person may be constantly worried about their blood sugar and whether it is too high or too low. Adjustments to their diet and constantly checking their blood sugar can also add to a person's stress and enjoyment of life. As a result, they are more likely to experience feelings of anxiety and depression. Blood sugar swings can cause rapid changes in a person's mood, such as making them sad and irritable. This is especially true during hypoglycemic episodes, where blood sugar levels dip lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Hyperglycemic episodes where levels spike higher than 250 mg/dL may cause confusion in people with type 1 diabetes, but are much less likely to in those with type 2 diabetes. When a pe Continue reading >>

What Is Hypoglycemia

By Jurriaan Plesman BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr Although its existence was denied by the American Medical Association in 1973 (Marilyn Light in her book “Hypoglycemia” (and here), hypoglycemia is now the direct precursor of the epidemic of diabetes – affecting 246 million people worldwide – possibly responsible for various degenerative diseases, obesity, and a soaring rate of mental illness and clinical depression. (82 JOM studies). Hypoglycemia is the precursor to full blown diabetes, which could take about 20 years. Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar level, although “unstable blood sugar levels” would have been more fitting. This is truly a silent disease (like diabetes), since most people would not be aware of having it. This term is used to describe a metabolic disorder, that may manifest itself in a variety of physical and ‘psychological’ symptoms. One must understand that glucose is a source of both physical (muscle) and mental (brain) energy. The brain, representing only 2 percent by weight of the body, has no energy stores of its own. It requires about 60 per cent percent of the all available glucose in the body and consumes about 120 grams per days regardless of whether we are asleep or awake (Source). About one teaspoon of glucose is available in the blood at any time. Most doctors believe that hypoglycemia is due to “insulin resistance”, which it shares with diabetes. see Robyn Cosford (1). It is estimated that in 2005-8 about 35 percent of US adult had pre-diabetes. See Research Evidence. See: for causes. As in diabetes, when a patient injects excess insulin, it causes the blood glucose concentrations to crash. This happens in non-diabetic hypoglycemia when the body produces too much insulin called hyperinsulinism. Consequently any Continue reading >>