Depression May Trigger Diabetes in Elderly

Elderly people who are depressed are more likely to get diabetes than those who are not, a study reports. It suggests depressiondefine may play a role in causing the most common form of diabetes.

According to researchers, people with more symptoms of depressiondefine are about 60 percent more likely to develop Type II diabetes, formally called adult-onset diabetes, than people who don’t suffer from depression.

A number of factors either physiological or consequences of an impaired lifestyle play an important role in diabetes. A few of them are:

The body produces hormonesdefine that affects metabolism. During depression, the body can produce counter-regulatory hormones, which counter the effect of insulindefine in the body. This can induce diabetes or aggravate the condition.

Some drugs for depression have a similar effect on insulin-they decrease its action. These new generation anti-psychotics deregulate blood sugar.

Side effects of depression are already known. Mentally disturbed, diabetics usually don’t take their medications on time, which causes problems as altered dosage can aggravate sugar levels. Also, people under depression tend to eat more and this further induces diabetes.

People suffering from depression usually tend to be less active physically and thus more likely to gain weight – the primary risk factor of diabetes.

Though, managing diabetes in elderly can be quite a challenge, as they have other physical problems as well. Impaired physical functioning among some elderly patients can mean that adjusting to a diabetes care routine is more difficult. Cognitive impairment can also be a factor that complicates treatment

So, there are a certain tips to help avoid depression and diabetes among the elderly

• Keep medical appointments and maintain an appropriate diabetes preventive lifestyle.

• Food is an important area of concern; Make sure that they have regular meals- at least three times a day. Add fruits and nuts in their diet.

• Don’t hit the bottle, as alcohol is high in sugar content.

• Go in for a regular eye and foot checkup.

• Try to remain physically active. Go for a morning or evening stroll, if health permits.