6 easy tips on how stress causes diabetes

October 9, 2015

Diabetes develops because of a number of lifestyle factors. It may surprise you to hear that stress sis one of them. For all you need to know on how a fast pace and diabetes are connected and how you can curb them, these tips will help.

6 easy tips on how stress causes diabetes

Diabetes basics

Firstly, what exactly is diabetes? Read on for clarification on the types of this conditions and who they affect.

Type 1 diabetes

The cause of this diabetes is difficult for researchers to pinpoint but they suspect that it genetic and environmental factors play key roles. Autoimmune factors or when your body incorrectly identifies normal body substances as foreign invaders and mounts an immune attack to destroy them, may also play a role.
This type of diabetes is often referred to as "juvenile," because it is usually diagnosed in children, teenagers or young adults.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes becomes more common with age, in part because cells in older bodies tend to become more insulin resistant. This type of diabetes is most common in people over 40 who are also overweight. This is one reason why exercise is so important in order to deal with this condition head on.

Stress and diabetes

Here are the facts: Stress makes the body release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Stress hormones make blood sugar go up. Stress may encourage fat to accumulate in the belly. High blood sugar and belly fat contribute to insulin resistance and, eventually, to diabetes. The conclusion? Stress causes diabetes.

The link between stress and diabetes

Does stress really contribute to the development of diabetes? In one study, researchers who surveyed more than 2,200 people with no history of diabetes found that those who reported the most major life stresses were more likely to have undiagnosed diabetes. Yet, stress from some significant sources didn't seem to affect diabetes rates, calling the stress effect into question.

How to relax after a long week

Book an appointment for a massage. Believe it or not, a luxuriously indulgent massage can help you manage diabetes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a massage can temporarily lower blood sugar by anywhere from 20 to 70 mg/dL or even more. Nothing is more relaxing than hands-on therapy and, as you've already learned, relaxation lowers levels of stress hormones, which in turn lowers blood sugar. Massage also boosts blood circulation, which is often less than ideal in people with diabetes. In short, it isn't just about being pampered; it's also about your health. Check local spas and gyms to find massage services.

Stress and diabetes explained

Reducing stress and its impact in your life is a good tactic to take in any case and if it helps reduce the risk of diabetes, all the better. These tips on how to manage stress will help you successfully nip the possibility of developing diabetes in the bud.

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