New research shows that there is a link between a common viral infection and diabetes. We are talking about COVID-19.
People are still sick with coronavirus, albeit in a much milder form than it was at the beginning of the pandemic. According to most doctors, covid will soon become as common as the flu.
However, this does not negate the possible side effects of the disease, sometimes very serious. The flu, of course, also has them. But it is covid that especially often causes complications to the work of blood vessels.
According to a study published in Express, growing evidence shows a link between COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes.
It is not yet clear exactly whether COVID-19 increases the detection of pre-existing diabetes or may trigger the onset of the disease.
While creating an online registry of COVID-19-related diabetes cases, a team of scientists analyzed newly diagnosed diabetes that occurred within four weeks of being infected with Covid.
To rule out pre-existing signs of high blood sugar, they introduced the concept of ” new onset diabetes. It was defined as:
- No history of disease
- No history of hypoglycemic medication
- Blood sugar was below 6.5 mmol/L
Data was collected between October and April 2022 from 61 hospitals in 25 countries reporting 537 eligible cases of newly diagnosed diabetes.
45 percent of patients newly classified as diabetic had high blood sugar levels and after recovering from Covid infection
Additional follow-up data for three months showed that 23 patients continued to be classified as diabetic, while five went into remission.
Remission means that the blood sugar level is not high enough to be classified as pre-diabetic or diabetic without the need for medication (below 6.5 mmol/L).
“This study shows the clinical plausibility of a diabetogenic effect of COVID-19. Further studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms of viral interference in glucose metabolism. Although more research is needed in this area, people who already have diabetes should be aware that they are at higher risk of severe infection with Covid, the study says.
To diabetics who contract Covid , it is recommended to check your blood sugar levels more often.
Classic symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
- constant thirst;
- frequent urination.
- severe fatigue;
- prolonged healing of scratches, abrasions, wounds;
- tingling in the legs;
- impaired vision.
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Too thin people are more at risk of developing diabetes than overweight people
Important! The information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.