5
NEWS
C19-related
diabetes
Researchers have now homed in on
four factors which may trigger the
rise in diabetes diagnoses following
Covid-19 infection, according to the
American Diabetes Daily blog.
The first could be simply preexisting
diabetes worsened by
increased obesity, lack of exercise
and stress caused by global
lockdowns, and higher rates of
diabetes detection when people who
are unaware they have the condition,
are infected with COVID-19 and
diagnosed with diabetes in hospital.
A second cause could be the
anti-inflammatory steroid drugs used
in hospitals to tackle the infection.
Steroids are already known to induce
diabetes at a 'terrifyingly high rate'
because they raise blood sugar as a
side effect.
Thirdly, there is a wellknown
phenomenon of stress
hyperglycaemia where severe
infection or illness causes blood
sugar to rocket even in healthy
people. With Covid-19 infection the
damage caused by the disease and
the associated immune response
can cause severe hyperglycaemia.
Although the condition is usually
temporary, it can cause long term
blood sugar control difficulties
long after the Covid-19 infection
has cleared.
The fourth factor is a potentially
lethal lack of insulin caused by the
Covid-19 related destruction of
Beta-cells in the pancreas, which
are designed to trigger insulin
release. This in turn can lead to lethal
diabetic ketoacidosis.
Other studies have shown some
severely affected Covid-19 patients
have developed diabetes months
after they have apparently recovered.
There is still much to learn about
Covid-19.
To read more CLICK HERE.
Early tech use helps
The sooner children with Type 1 diabetes are given the latest treatment
devices the greater the benefit, according to research by Stanford
University in America.
Children and teenagers in the study published in the Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism, learned to use continuous glucose
monitors within a month of their diabetes diagnosis.
A year later, they had healthier blood sugar levels than an earlier group
of patients who weren't given the monitors near the time of diagnosis.
Rapid access to technology is good for patients, and contrary to doctors'
expectations, most families quickly adapt, which frees up more time to
give extra help to those who are struggling.
To read more CLICK HERE.
Damaging diet environment
Unhealthy food is heavily promoted, is often cheaper, and more readily
available than healthier options in Britain, which constantly undermines
people's effort to lose weight, according to a review by researchers at City
University in London.
Two out of three UK adults are overweight or obese, and one in three
children are similarly affected by the time they leave primary school.
Obesity-related illnesses account for an annual expenditure of £6 billion by
the NHS.
The review of 26 studies published between 2011 and 2020 in 12 highincome
countries including the UK, also carried accounts from 679 people
describing their weight management experiences in the context of their
food environment.
Their experiences showed four major themes:
Sugar, fat and salt-rich foods have a 'strong presence and appeal in the
food environment'. People trying to lose weight have to consciously plan
to avoid seeing them;
Weight management efforts are constantly undermined by ready
availability of unhealthy food;
Social situations combine with a food environment, making it hard for
people trying to manage their weight;
Real and perceived cost of healthier food is a barrier to weight loss,
particularly for lower income groups.
It suggested six solutions:
More promotions and offers on healthy foods, including fruit, vegetables
and nuts, and fewer promotions and offers on unhealthy food;
Encouraging businesses and the public sector organisations to provide
healthier food choices in workplaces;
Improved food labelling to provide portion sizes and nutritional data;
Restrictions on marketing of food and drink high in sugar, fat and salt;
Incentives for fast food outlets to deliver healthy food options, especially
around popular business districts;
Financial support for lower socioeconomic groups to make healthy food
accessible to them.
To read more CLICK HERE.