There are facts that have been well known for a long time that connect diabetes with depression. Researchers quoting studies from Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore have determined that depression and Type 2 diabetes go hand in hand. The task at hand is to determine which comes first – depression or diabetes.
Hopkins studied over 6,800 individuals of all ethnic backgrounds, male and female, between the ages of 45 and 84. These individuals visited clinics three times over three years. The results of the study indicated that those participants with the strongest symptoms of depression were 42% more likely (on average) to develop diabetes before the end of the study than those who did not have depressive symptoms.
The researchers looked at other symptoms, such as being overweight, being smokers or not participating in exercise did not have as high a percentage as those who had depressive symptoms.
This is important information which will help in treating both issues. In addition, physicians and medical personnel can and should be aware of this connection between both illnesses and the issues they each bring to the individual fighting to stay well and coping with the diseases.
Of course, having either or both of these illnesses to deal with can be extremely difficult, at best, not only regarding treatment but also recovery. In the spirit of treating the entire person, it is important for doctors to be aware of looking at both illnesses to help manage both of them. Hopefully this will help individuals to get better and feel better more quickly and remain better long-term.
There have been many excellent advances in treatment and research of both depression and diabetes, with new medications, lifestyle changes and discoveries about diet and both diseases. If you are having issues with diabetes and/or depression, talk to your doctor. You might be very surprised about how quickly and easily you can begin to feel better and continue getting better.
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