“Have
you ever thought about the connection between anxiety and diabetes?
Studies
show that people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to be
diagnosed with anxiety and depression.” Kepha Nyanumba- Consultant Nutritionist.
Many
of us worry from time to time. We fret over finances, feel anxious about job
interviews, or get nervous about social gatherings. Anxiety
is a feeling of apprehension or fear which is our body’s way of responding to
any kind of demand or threat. Our systems are designed to keep us safe and to
respond to danger in a way that prepares us to either stand our ground (fight)
or to get us away from danger to a safe place (flight). These responses are instinctive and an
important part of our make-up. When we find ourselves in a place where we are
in danger, these physical and psychological reactions give us the additional
strength and clarity of focus needed to get us away from danger. In this way,
anxiety can be a helpful, protective response.
Sometimes, most of us won’t often find ourselves in life threatening
danger, however, anxiety may still be part of our day to day experience.
Sometimes we are very aware of what’s causing the feelings of anxiety, for
example when getting ready for an exam, speaking in public, or when responding
to conflict at work or home. At other times, we find ourselves feeling anxious
without really knowing the cause. The anxiety can feel overwhelming, resulting
in feelings of extreme fear, panic and tearfulness and bringing with it
physical symptoms such as lack of sleep, muscle tension and chronic pain.
The Connection Between Anxiety and
Diabetes
Have you ever thought about the
connection between anxiety and diabetes? Studies show that
people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to be diagnosed with
anxiety and depression. It is estimated that
14% of people with diabetes have
generalized anxiety disorder. As
many as 40% of people have at least some anxiety symptoms, and fear of hypoglycemia is not uncommon in
those with diabetes. Anxiety disorders in people with type
1 and 2 diabetes are associated
with poor blood sugar control. This happens because emotional stress
such as anxiety causes the body to secrete stress hormones into the
bloodstream. For those without diabetes, the stress-induced blood sugar rise is
followed by an increase in insulin secretion, so the blood sugar rise is modest
and temporary. For those of us with diabetes, however, insulin is not always
able to let the extra energy into the cells, so glucose piles up in the
blood. This leads to a significant and
prolonged increase in the blood sugar level.
Being diagnosed with diabetes
can instigate anxiety in a number of ways. People with diabetes may potentially
be anxious about how their condition will be perceived by others including
friends, family and work colleagues. One of the most common types of anxiety
disorder is social phobia. It affects both women and men equally. People with
social phobia may worry for days or weeks before a social event. They’re often
embarrassed, self-conscious, and afraid of being judged. Other common types of
anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. People
with generalized anxiety disorder worry endlessly over everyday issues like health,
money, or family problems even if they realize there’s little cause for
concern. They startle easily, can’t relax, and can’t concentrate. They find it
hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sleep deprivation alters the
sympathetic nervous system and hormonal balances, all of which affects glucose
regulation. Symptoms of generalized anxiety often get worse during times
of stress. Do you ever feel like your calendar is running you instead of the
other way around? Ever get agitated due to too many competing priorities and
super-tight deadlines but not enough time? Do you have restless nights thinking
about your blood glucose levels and complications of diabetes? If you've
answered yes to any of these questions, you are living with stress.
The Reality about Fighting Anxiety
When fighting anxiety, the problem
arises when we begin to be afraid of our anxiety response. This fear makes the
anxiety mechanism turn on itself. When we are afraid of being anxious, we
create more anxiety. Panic seems to only strike when we do not want it to, and
never seems to hit when we allow it to. In other words, all efforts to control
or avoid anxiety only seem to make it worse. Debilitating anxiety is actually a
reflection of the efforts we make to resist it. When fighting anxiety, the first
thing is to simply accept that you feel anxious and try to find out the root
cause instead of fighting the feeling. Reassuring yourself, or having someone
else speak reassuringly to you, can help soothe the part of you that’s been
activated and give you space to think. There are several foods that may reduce your anxiety
symptoms. Enhancing your diet with foods rich in antioxidants such
as vitamin C may help ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders and lead to an improved sense of
well-being.
Kepha
Nyanumba (Consultant Nutritionist), Tel: +254 (0) 723 103 028 / 732 234
161, Email:
kephanyanumba@gmail.com / kepha.nyanumba@aar-healthcare.com...Follow me on twitter: @knyanumba or Blog: kephanyanumba.blogspot.com.
