Type 2 Diabetes - Causes of Depression in Diabetes

Depression is more common in people diagnosed with diabetes than in non-diabetics, and having diabetes can make self-care more difficult. Diabetics with depression are more vulnerable to complications than those diabetics whose moods are generally happier. In addition to being a miserable condition in its own right, any level of depression is a deterrent to the effective management of Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers in the Department of Psychology at the University of Florida in the United States looked at possible reasons for depression in people with Type 2 diabetes. Their study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine in December 2011, included 77 individuals previously diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

volunteers reporting pain and difficulty with activities of daily living reported more depression than those who had fewer symptoms.
diabetics with high weight compared to their height reported the most pain.

From this the researchers concluded pain and difficulty functioning were important causes of depression for people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and that excess weight was associated with pain.

Pain in diabetes comes from neuropathy, or nerve damage, and affects 60 to 70 per cent of diabetics. Diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy, it is now known that significant nerve damage often develops in the pre-diabetic phase. There are several forms of neuropathy. Frequently it takes place in the hands or feet, or the periphery, giving it the name peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to injuries when normal pain is not felt.

Diabetic neuropathy is often described as pain, tingling, or a pins and needles sensation, but it can also consist of numbness or weakness. It can be caused by:

high blood sugar levels,
high cholesterol and blood fat,
inflammation,
heredity,
smoking, or
alcohol use.

Whilst the most common type of peripheral neuropathy occurs in the feet, as the condition progresses the symptoms may spread up the legs, The hands may be affected as well, usually after the symptoms in the legs and feet have become quite severe.

Numbness in the feet may mean the diabetic is unable to feel his feet rubbing against his shoes and calluses or skin ulcers may form. In severe cases infections may spread to the underlying bones. These serious problems usually occur when a diabetic has both neuropathy and poor circulation.

To prevent diabetic neuropathy or keep it from worsening, follow your prescribed medical regimen: its critical to prevent these problems by keeping:

blood sugar levels,
blood pressure, and
cholesterol levels under control.

Eat a healthful diet, and exercise. These steps will help keep blood sugar levels under control, normalize your weight and help to improve circulation. A half hour walk every day is a good way to keep up circulation to the feet, where it is particularly needed in people with diabetes. Here's to being pain-free and depression-free.

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Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.

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