Diabetes is a relatively common disease that affects millions of people. A person is said to have diabetes if their ability to produce and/or respond to insulin is impaired. This means that the body cannot convert food into energy as it should. Lack of insulin in the body or its misuse leads to high blood sugar levels and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism. This article discusses both statins and diabetes, as well as how to spot the symptoms of diabetes and how to live a healthy life with diabetes.
TYPES OF DIABETES
Diabetes is divided into two types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes called “insulin dependent” and may also be called “juvenile diabetes. This form of the disease can develop at any age. However, in most cases, it occurs before the person reaches adulthood. Type 1 is the less common of the two types, accounting for only about 5-10% of all diagnosed cases.
Some risk factors for type 1 diabetes are genetics and family history. For example, a person who has a parent or sibling with the disease is slightly more likely to develop it. Some research also shows that autoimmune factors can lead to the development of type 1 diabetes.
HERE ARE SOME AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES THAT CAN POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF DIABETES:
Thyroid disease
Addison’s disease
Gastritis
Celiac disease.
We also known type 2 diabetes as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. Most people with diabetes are type 2. In fact, estimates show that about 90% of diabetes cases are classified as type 2.
SOME RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 ARE
Older age
Obesity
History of gestational diabetes
Family history of diabetes
Impaired glucose tolerance
Lack of regular exercise
Besides the above risk factors, certain races and ethnicities are more likely to develop diabetes. If you are black American, Latino, Native American or Asian, you are slightly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
In a small percentage of pregnancies, a woman will develop diabetes. This form of the disease is called gestational diabetes and usually goes away by the end of the pregnancy. However, sometimes, a woman who develops gestational diabetes develops diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently in Hispanics, Blacks, Asians and Native Americans. It is also more likely to occur in people with a family history of diabetes.
In a tiny percentage of cases, an infection, surgery or genetic disorder causes diabetes. Malnutrition also causes a small percentage of cases.
SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
For some people with diabetes, the warning signs may be mild and go almost unnoticed. In fact, some people with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease until they are treated for another health problem. This is especially true for many people with type 2 diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, however, symptoms are more severe and can occur suddenly and unexpectedly.
HERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF DIABETES TO LOOK FOR:
Hunger
Thirst
Frequent urination
Fatigue or weakness
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Itchy skin
Wounds and cuts that take a long time to heal
Yeast infections
Numbness in feet or legs
Pain in the feet or legs
The above symptoms occur most often early in the disease and are especially common in type 2 diabetics. Type 1 diabetics may also experience unexplained weight loss. This weight loss can occur even in those who have not changed their exercise or eating habits. Weight loss occurs because the body does not get enough energy from food. Therefore, the body burns fat and muscle, resulting in loss.
Type 1 diabetics are also prone to vomiting and nausea. This is because of the body’s process of burning fat. When fat is burned, a diabetic may develop ketones. Ketones are chemicals made by the human liver. Everyone has them. However, in diabetics, when too many ketones are produced, the body cannot use them as fuel as it is supposed to. The diabetic then experiences nausea and vomiting. In the worst case, too many ketones can be fatal.
A person’s ketone levels can be monitored at home with a blood or urine test. These testing devices are available over the counter. Of course, both tests can also be done in a doctor’s office. A patient should check his or her ketone levels when pregnant and also when feeling physically injured or ill. A blood sugar level above 250 mg/dl also shows that a person may have high ketone levels, so ketone levels should be checked regularly.
WHAT ARE STATINS?
Statins and Diabetes: Statins are a specific type of medication often prescribed to treat patients who have high levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol. LDL is considered the bad cholesterol because it deposits fatty residue in a person’s artery walls in the brain and heart. When these fatty deposits build up, the arteries can become blocked. A blockage can lead to a stroke or heart attack, both of which can be fatal. With statins and diabetes, statins work by blocking a substance in the liver used to make LDL cholesterol. Fortunately, with statins and diabetes, statins benefit patients with high cholesterol by lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
IN ADDITION TO REDUCING A PATIENT’S RISK OF HAVING A STROKE OR HEART ATTACK, STATINS ARE ALSO HELPFUL IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
heart attack, statins and diabetes
Decrease inflammation
Decreasing the risk of blood clots
Improving and strengthening blood vessel walls.
Although statins perform many important functions in the body, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently warned diabetics against taking statins. While the use of statins and diabetes is helpful, the FDA warned statin use can increase a patient’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This puts people in a dilemma, as many patients with heart disease and high LDL cholesterol need statins to lower LDL cholesterol. However, if a patient has a history of heart disease or has heart disease, statins may be necessary regardless of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
WHO SHOULD TAKE STATINS?
Not all patients with heart disease need to take statins. According to some cardiologists, there are several groups that can benefit from statins. The first group includes people who are at risk for cardiovascular disease but have not developed the disease. The second group of people who could benefit from statins would be those who are at high risk of heart attack and also have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Smokers, people with high blood pressure, diabetes and/or high cholesterol all fall into this second group.
The other group of people who might benefit from learning about statins and diabetes is those who have already been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. This group includes people with atherosclerosis, a term used to describe hardening of the arteries, and patients who have already suffered a stroke or heart attack caused by a blocked blood vessel. People who have had surgery to repair or replace coronary arteries and those with peripheral arterial disease all fall into the latter group.
Two other groups that may benefit from understanding statins and diabetes are those with excessively high LDL cholesterol and patients with diabetes. This high LDL cholesterol group includes those with cholesterol levels of at least 190 mg/dl.
THE GROUP OF DIABETICS WHO MAY BENEFIT MOST FROM STATINS AND DIABETES INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO FALL INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
People with LDL levels between 70 and 189 mg/dl
Those with risk factors for heart disease
Those with signs of vascular disease
Smokers
People over 40 years of age
People with high blood pressure
Some experts recommend starting with low-to-moderate doses of statins for adults aged 40 to 75 who have at least one risk factor for heart disease. A low-to-moderate dose is also recommended for people with heart disease who have at least a slight risk of having a cardiac episode within the next decade.
If a heart patient is concerned about type 2 diabetes, they should discuss their options with a physician. This is especially true for patients who have a family history of diabetes and for those who think they already have signs of the disease. Sometimes a doctor may recommend a different statin or a different dosage for a patient who is at risk of developing diabetes.
ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS OF STATINS
Besides increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, statins and diabetes also have several troubling side effects. The most common side effects are.
Mental problems or blurred vision
Liver damage (in rare cases)
Muscle pain
Digestive problems
Not everyone who takes statins has the side effects listed above. Patients who take multiple medications to treat high cholesterol are at greater risk of developing the above side effects.
OTHER RISK FACTORS THAT MAKE A PATIENT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO STATIN SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE
Having a small body size
Being female
Advanced age (80 years and older)
Excessive alcohol consumption
Liver disease
Hypothyroidism
Kidney disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
HOW TO FIGHT PREDIABETES
I say a person to have prediabetes if he or she has high blood glucose levels and is at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The doctor usually helps the patient manage prediabetes by cutting out most simple sugars from the diet. To learn more about statins and diabetes, patients should direct their questions to their doctor or other healthcare provider. This is especially important because two people with diabetes may have slightly unique health problems and treatment plans. What works for one patient may not work for another.
RISK FACTORS FOR PREDIABETES INCLUDE
Being overweight
Older age (over 45)
Family history (a sibling or parent already has the disease)
Not exercising regularly (most experts suggest exercising at least three times a week, if possible)
Have given birth to a baby weighing over ten pounds.
Have had gestational diabetes
If you are black, Latino, Asian or Native American.
Prediabetes can be reversed or prevented altogether by making lifestyle changes. For example, an overweight person can lose weight by changing their eating habits and exercising regularly. Most doctors can recommend steps a patient can take to lose weight and eat more healthily.
HOW TO MANAGE DIABETES
In most cases, type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin injections. Type 1 diabetics must also watch the amount of carbohydrates and sugars they eat and check their blood sugar levels frequently. Type 2 diabetics must also monitor their blood sugar levels and take insulin or oral medication, or sometimes both.
A doctor can help a patient develop an individualized care plan that includes both a diet and exercise program. Some family physicians will recommend that a diabetic be treated by a specialist who has treated many cases of diabetes. A physician or specialist may also inform the patient of his or her blood glucose target range. This way, when the patient consistently exceeds this range, he or she knows to contact his or her doctor.
People with diabetes usually check their own blood sugar at home. Some people with diabetes need to check their levels several times a day, especially if they are taking insulin. In fact, careful blood glucose monitoring is the most effective way to ensure that blood glucose levels stay within a healthy range.
Besides checking blood sugar levels, daily injections of insulin are necessary for many people with diabetes. Several specific types of insulin are available. Patients may use a long-acting insulin, a rapid-acting insulin, or an intermediate insulin. Some patients use several types, depending on their needs and specific instructions from the doctor.
Insulin tablets are ineffective because swallowing insulin by mouth would allow stomach acids to weaken the effects of the insulin. Most often, people with diabetes inject insulin with a small needle or insulin pen. Insulin pumps are also available today. The pump is a small device worn on the outside of the patient’s body. It can fit in a pocket or on a belt and is about the size of a cell phone. A small tube connects a catheter placed under the skin to a small reservoir of insulin.
Another option is the tubeless pump, which delivers a certain amount of insulin. I program the specific amount into the pump. However, the amount can be adjusted to pump less or more insulin, depending on the physical activities performed, the last meals eaten and the current blood glucose measurement.
Besides insulin injections, some people with diabetes also need to take oral medications. These medications stimulate the patient’s pancreas to create and release more insulin. Other medications prescribed to diabetics block the processes that break down carbohydrates in the stomach and intestines. Other oral medications block the production of glucose by the liver. As a result, a person needs less insulin to move sugars into the body’s cells.
A pancreas transplant is an option for some patients, although these risky surgical procedures are rarely recommended. As with any organ transplant, there are many risks. For example, if a patient undergoes a surgical transplant, he or she must also take many medications to ensure that the body does not reject the organ. The downside is that these drugs have many serious side effects. The risks and side effects are so severe that, in most cases, doctors do not recommend transplants. However, in cases of successful transplants, the patient no longer needs insulin therapy.
Some diabetics undergo stomach surgery to reduce their body weight. Some patients experience a significant improvement in blood sugar levels after surgery. However, more research and studies need to be done to draw a conclusion about the long-term effects and benefits of gastric bypass as a viable treatment for diabetes.
WHEN TO CONTACT A DOCTOR
When a person experiences debilitating symptoms because of diabetes and cannot control their blood sugar at home, they should contact a physician.
HERE ARE SOME REASONS OR CONDITIONS FOR WHICH A PATIENT SHOULD SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION:
Hyperglycemia, especially if it is persistent, or if the blood sugar is excessively high.
Hypoglycemia, especially if it is persistent or if the blood sugar is excessively low.
High levels of ketones in the urine
Warning signs of a diabetic coma
I say a person to have hypoglycemia when his or her blood sugar falls below the target range set by a doctor. It also called this hypoglycemia. Blood glucose levels can drop for many reasons. For example, people who take medication to control their blood sugar may notice a drop in their blood sugar when they skip a meal or exercise more than usual. Taking the wrong dose of insulin or other diabetes-specific medication can also affect blood glucose levels.
To prevent blood sugar levels from becoming too low, patients should monitor their blood sugar every day or as often as directed by a doctor.
SIGNS THAT INDICATE ABNORMALLY LOW BLOOD SUGAR INCLUDE
Sweating
Feeling shaky
Feeling weak and tired
Dizziness
Hunger
Epileptic seizures
Loss of consciousness
Heart palpitations
Blurred vision
Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
Feeling sleepy
Hypoglycemia can be treated at home with carbohydrates. Glucose tablets or fruit juices can usually raise blood sugar levels. However, when blood sugar cannot be controlled at home, or when a patient has consistently low blood sugar values, a doctor should be contacted.
I say a patient to have hyperglycemia when the blood sugar level has reached a dangerously high level. Many factors can cause this condition, including not taking medication and insulin, eating too much, or not following dietary guidelines. Illness or infection can also affect blood sugar levels. To control high blood sugar, patients should check their blood sugar as often as a doctor recommends.
THE PATIENT SHOULD ALSO WATCH OUT FOR THE FOLLOWING SIGNS OF HIGH BLOOD SUGAR:
Thirst
Dry mouth
Frequent urination
Fatigue and weakness
Feeling nauseous
Blurred vision
People with high blood sugar should contact a doctor immediately for further instructions. Outpatient care is needed if the patient cannot lower blood sugar levels with diet or medication. Outpatient care is especially important if the high blood sugar persists.
Diabetic coma is a life-threatening condition that occurs most often in people with type 2 diabetes, although it can occur in both types of diabetes. These comas usually occur in patients with blood glucose levels above 600 mg/dl. I say a person to be in a diabetic coma when they become severely dehydrated because of high blood sugar.
Diabetic comas have many warning signs, such as extreme thirst combined with a parched mouth and dry skin that does not sweat. A high fever is usually present in the patient, as well as blurred vision, drowsiness, hallucinations and confusion. The patient may also complain of a feeling of weakness on one side of the body.
Because a patient may lose consciousness because of diabetes-related health problems, it is important that all diabetics wear an identification bracelet. These bracelets identify patients as diabetic, alerting others to call for help when a patient is acting strangely, losing consciousness, or unable to decide independently. An identification bracelet also alerts health care professionals that the patient has special medical needs.
It is also important for people with diabetes to inform friends and family of what to do in an emergency. Family members should be able to recognize the signs that a person with diabetes is in distress. Patients should carry all diabetes medications and insulin with them at all times. It may also be wise to carry hard candy in case an insulin injection is needed.
OTHER TIPS FOR MANAGING DIABETES
Diabetics should always pay attention to their diet and exercise, and this is especially true if a diabetic is taking statins. Overall, there are several things that diabetics need to do daily to live a healthier lifestyle. First, all vaccinations should be up to date. This is because high blood sugar often weakens the immune system. The hepatitis B vaccine, pneumonia vaccine and annual flu shot are recommended for diabetics, but patients should consult their doctor before getting vaccinated.
Besides getting vaccinated, diabetics should also monitor their cholesterol and blood pressure. If a doctor prescribes medication for these problems, the patient should be sure to take all medications in a timely manner. Statin and diabetic patients should seek emergency medical attention for serious or persistent blood pressure or blood sugar problems.
People with diabetes also need to pay attention to the condition of their feet. It is important to wash and dry the feet daily. Drying the spaces between the toes is also recommended, especially because diabetics are prone to skin infections and slow-healing cuts and wounds. We should examine the skin daily for sores, blisters, cuts and swelling. Medical attention is imperative for anyone who notices slow-healing cuts on the body.
It is also important for diabetics to practice good oral hygiene. Good dental care is important for everyone, but especially for diabetics, because diabetics are more susceptible to gum infections.
HERE ARE SOME STEPS TO TAKE TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE:
toothbrush, brushing, oral hygiene
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Floss daily
Schedule regular dental checkups
Call a dentist or dental hygienist if there are signs of gum infection (e.g., swollen, red or bleeding gums).
Smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to harmful complications for people with diabetes. For example, smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and diabetic smokers with cardiovascular disease are more likely to die from it than non-smokers. Even smokeless tobacco is harmful to people with cardiovascular disease. Therefore, diabetic smokers and smokeless tobacco users should quit smoking.
Alcohol consumption should also be minimized, especially because it can affect blood sugar levels. Most experts recommend only one or two drinks per day. Diabetics who drink should be careful to do so in moderation and only with food, never on an empty stomach.
Stress management is also essential in managing diabetes. Hormones in a diabetic’s body can prevent insulin from working, leading to higher blood sugar levels, and this is especially true for people who experience high levels of stress.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS:
Learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
Set realistic daily goals for yourself at work and at home.
Give priority to important tasks
Go to bed at a reasonable hour
While there is no cure for diabetes, the disease can be managed by making the right lifestyle choices. It may be necessary for diabetics and pre-diabetics to take statins to improve their quality of life and help lower LDL cholesterol levels. If taking statins, diabetics should monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels closely.
If a diabetic experiences serious or long-lasting side effects from statins and diabetes or from other medications or insulin, he or she should seek medical advice. Drug dosages can be adjusted, or they can place the patient on another statin drug. With statins and diabetes, for patients who rely on statins, the side effects may be worth bearing if the medication can prevent a life-threatening emergency, such as a stroke or heart attack.
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Overall, diabetics can control their symptoms with proper diet, exercise and medication. Statins may pose some risks to people with diabetes in terms of increased blood sugar levels. However, people with diabetes and their health care providers can monitor daily blood sugar changes and decide on a case-by-case basis how to treat problems. By practicing good self-care and communicating with doctors, many people with diabetes can relieve their symptoms. To educate others about statins and diabetes, share this article on social media.
