Scientists Explore Possible Link Between Coronavirus Infections, Rising Diabetes Cases
During the pandemic, researchers discovered that the coronavirus infection worsened the condition of individuals who already had diabetes, leading to severe complications. Researchers are now looking into the existence of a link between the coronavirus and diabetes, with new evidence showing that the coronavirus may attack cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.
The researchers hypothesize that this could be what triggers temporary diabetes in susceptible individuals. The increase in the number of diabetes cases may also reflect situations involving restrictions imposed during the pandemic, which include inactivity and unhealthy eating habits in individuals who were already at risk for type 2 diabetes and delayed medical care for the early signs of diabetes.
A recent report from the CDC examined a pair of insurance databases in the U.S. that included new diabetes cases from March 2020 to June 2021. The report noted that rates of diabetes were higher in children who had been infected with the coronavirus. However, it didn’t differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood. It occurs when a person’s pancreas produces no or little insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. To manage this condition, patients use manufactured insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes has been linked to obesity. It mostly affects adults and is known to impair how an individual’s body uses insulin, which leads to poorly regulated blood sugar. Researchers believe that unhealthy eating habits, inactivity, excess weight and genetics play a role in the condition’s development. Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with changes to one’s lifestyle.
While diabetes rates in children have risen the last few years in the U.S., reports from Europe suggest that the rates may have accelerated during the pandemic. Dr. Inas Thomas of the Mott Children’s Hospital revealed that the hospital had recorded a 30% rise in type 1 diabetes diagnoses during the pandemic. At Rady Children’s Hospital, cases of type 1 diabetes rose by nearly 60% during the onset of the pandemic, as reported by researchers in the “JAMA Pediatrics” journal.
Dr. Rasa Kazzlauskaite theorizes that the physical stress of serious coronavirus infections as well as other ailments may also cause high blood sugar and temporary diabetes.
Researchers are focused on studying adults who were recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in an effort to find out whether the condition progresses more rapidly in individuals who have been infected with the coronavirus. They hope that this discovery will help shed light on the coronavirus infection’s role in the development of diabetes.
As cases of diabetes rise, there is need for more effective ways to help patients manage their glucose levels. Companies such as lNemaura Medical Inc. (NASDAQ: NMRD) are developing various technologies that can help people monitor their blood glucose levels on a continuous basis so that the condition can be kept in check.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Nemaura Medical Inc. (NASDAQ: NMRD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NMRD
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
During the pandemic, researchers discovered that the coronavirus infection worsened the condition of individuals who already had diabetes, leading to severe complications. Researchers are now looking into the existence of a link between the coronavirus and diabetes, with new evidence showing that the coronavirus may attack cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.
The researchers hypothesize that this could be what triggers temporary diabetes in susceptible individuals. The increase in the number of diabetes cases may also reflect situations involving restrictions imposed during the pandemic, which include inactivity and unhealthy eating habits in individuals who were already at risk for type 2 diabetes and delayed medical care for the early signs of diabetes.
A recent report from the CDC examined a pair of insurance databases in the U.S. that included new diabetes cases from March 2020 to June 2021. The report noted that rates of diabetes were higher in children who had been infected with the coronavirus. However, it didn’t differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood. It occurs when a person’s pancreas produces no or little insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. To manage this condition, patients use manufactured insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes has been linked to obesity. It mostly affects adults and is known to impair how an individual’s body uses insulin, which leads to poorly regulated blood sugar. Researchers believe that unhealthy eating habits, inactivity, excess weight and genetics play a role in the condition’s development. Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with changes to one’s lifestyle.
While diabetes rates in children have risen the last few years in the U.S., reports from Europe suggest that the rates may have accelerated during the pandemic. Dr. Inas Thomas of the Mott Children’s Hospital revealed that the hospital had recorded a 30% rise in type 1 diabetes diagnoses during the pandemic. At Rady Children’s Hospital, cases of type 1 diabetes rose by nearly 60% during the onset of the pandemic, as reported by researchers in the “JAMA Pediatrics” journal.
Dr. Rasa Kazzlauskaite theorizes that the physical stress of serious coronavirus infections as well as other ailments may also cause high blood sugar and temporary diabetes.
Researchers are focused on studying adults who were recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in an effort to find out whether the condition progresses more rapidly in individuals who have been infected with the coronavirus. They hope that this discovery will help shed light on the coronavirus infection’s role in the development of diabetes.
As cases of diabetes rise, there is need for more effective ways to help patients manage their glucose levels. Companies such as lNemaura Medical Inc. (NASDAQ: NMRD) are developing various technologies that can help people monitor their blood glucose levels on a continuous basis so that the condition can be kept in check.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Nemaura Medical Inc. (NASDAQ: NMRD) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NMRD
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
