Yes, there is a definite correlation between diabetes and stress.

Stress can make it more difficult to manage diabetes, and diabetes can make stress worse.

The two conditions can feed off each other in a vicious cycle.

Diabetes affects as much as much as 101 million (approx. 10 crore) people in India and about 485 million (approx. 48.5 crore) people worldwide, which is expected to rise to 1.5 billion by 2050 according to a latest Lancet study.

Stress is a natural response of our bodies. However, when stress lasts for a long time, it can become a problem.

Excessive stress can cause worsening of diabetes.

How are stress and diabetes linked?

1. Impact of Stress on Blood Sugar: Under stress, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These cause your blood sugars to rise, as they trigger the release of glucose into the bloodstream. For someone with diabetes, this can be particularly problematic as it can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels.

• Stress-Induced Eating: Stress can lead to emotional eating or cravingsfor unhealthy, high-sugar, and high-fat foods, which can further destabilize blood sugar levels.

1. Adherence to Treatment Plans: stress and depression can lead to neglecting medications, skipping exercise, or making poor dietary choices, all of which can adversely affect blood sugar control.

1. Interference with Self-Care: not monitoring blood sugar regularly, forgetting to take insulin or other medications, or ignoring doctor’s appointments.

• Effect on Hormones and Insulin Sensitivity: Chronic stress and depression can affect the body’s sensitivity to insulin, making it more challenging for insulin to regulate blood sugar levels efficiently.

• Sleep Disturbances: Stress and depression can disrupt sleep patterns. Lack of proper sleep can negatively impact blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.

In addition, stress can make it more difficult to cope with the emotional challenges of living with diabetes. People with diabetes may feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. These emotions can make it even harder to manage their condition.

Here are some ways in which stress management and treatment of depression and anxiety help you with diabetes control

1. Identify your stressors- What are the things that are causing you stress? Once you know what your stressors are, you can start to develop strategies for coping with them.
2. Take care of yourself- Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. These activities can help to reduce stress and in turn blood sugar control.
3. Learn relaxation techniques There are a number of relaxation techniques that can help to reduce stress, such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
4. Seek professional help-. If you are struggling to cope with stress, talk to a therapist/ psychiatrist. They can help you develop a treatment plan and help you with stress management strategies and coping skills.

Remember that stress and depression are complex issues, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

It’s crucial to seek professional help if stress becomes overwhelming and despite best efforts it is becoming difficult to deal.

By addressing stress and depression, you can significantly improve your overall well-being and potentially enhance blood sugar control as well.