Diabetes

“Managing diabetes whilst going through menopause
can feel like a twin challenge for most women due to
the combined effects that each condition can have…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Diabetes Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Adult-Onset Diabetes
  • Diabetes
  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
  • Diabetes Type 1
  • Diabetes Type 2
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Definition

What is diabetes?

DotS the definition of diabetes may vary. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:

“Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces”.2

Insulin

What is insulin?

DotS the definition of insulin may vary. The International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) definition is:

“Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the bloodstream into the cells in the body to produce energy. The body breaks down all carbohydrate foods into glucose in the blood, and insulin helps glucose move into the cells.

When the body cannot produce or use insulin effectively, this leads to high blood glucose levels, called hyperglycaemia. Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues”.3

Types

What are two common types of diabetes?

Two common types of diabetes are:

Two Common Types of Diabetes

  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

What is type 1 diabetes?

DotS the definition of type 1 diabetes may vary. In Type 1 Diabetes the IDF’s definition is:

“If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin or makes very little insulin. Type 1 diabetes can affect people at any age, but commonly develops in children and young adults. People living with type 1 diabetes need daily insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels. If they do not have access to insulin, they will die”.4

Type 2 Diabetes

What is type 2 diabetes?

DotS the definition of type 2 diabetes may vary. In Type 2 Diabetes the IDF’s definition is:

“The primary indicator of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, when the body cannot fully respond to insulin. In many cases, the condition can be delayed or prevented.

Because insulin cannot work properly, blood glucose levels keep rising, releasing more insulin. Unfortunately, for some people with type 2 diabetes, this can eventually exhaust the pancreas. As a result, the body produces less and less insulin, causing even higher blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia)”.5

Type 2 Diabetes Cause

What may cause type 2 diabetes?

In Type 2 Diabetes: What Causes Type 2 Diabetes? Diabetes Australia elaborate on:

“Diabetes runs in the family. If you have a family member with diabetes, you have a genetic disposition to the condition.

While people may have a strong genetic disposition towards type 2 diabetes, the risk is greatly increased if people display a number of modifiable lifestyle factors including high blood pressure, being overweight, not being active enough, eating a poor diet and having the classic ‘apple shape’ body where extra weight is carried around the waist”.6

Women

Is there an association between women and diabetes?

In Diabetes Hits Women Hard At Menopause: Beat It Back the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:

“Diabetes hits women hard, especially at midlife. In the United States, it’s the number 6 killer of women ages 45 to 54 and the number 4 killer of women ages 55 to 64. What’s more, diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and many other serious conditions, including blindness, kidney disease, and nerve disease”.7

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and diabetes?

In Menopause and Diabetes the (United Kingdom) Diabetes.co.uk note:

“Managing diabetes whilst going through menopause can feel like a twin challenge for most women due to the combined effects that each condition can have on the body.

The best way to remain in control is by knowing what to expect so that you can prepare yourself for the unique challenges that may lie ahead”.8

In Consumer Health: Diabetes and Menopause: Diabetes and Menopause: What To Expect the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“The hormones estrogen and progesterone affect how your cells respond to insulin. After menopause, changes in your hormone levels can trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar level. You may notice that your blood sugar level changes more than before, and it goes up and down. If your blood sugar gets out of control, you have a higher risk of diabetes complications”.9

In Consumer Health: Diabetes and Menopause: Diabetes and Menopause: What To Expect the Mayo Clinic also note:

Diabetes“After menopause, hot flashes and night sweats can keep you up at night. In turn, the sleep deprivation can make it tougher to manage your blood sugar level”.10

Heart Disease

Is there an association between heart disease and diabetes?

In Menopause and Diabetes: How Can I Better Manage Menopause and Diabetes? Get Assessed for Heart Disease Risk Diabetes.co.uk note:

“Menopause triggers metabolic changes that can cause your weight to increase. For women with diabetes, weight gain can elevate their risk of heart disease even more, as well as complicating management of blood sugar levels.

Ask your doctor about regular blood pressure and cholesterol screening as both health factors are important for controlling diabetes and heart disease risk, but can be affected by menopause”.11

Prevention

How may type 2 diabetes be prevented?

In Diabetes Prevention the IDF elaborate on:

“Unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles associated with urbanisation are common factors contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. There is overwhelming evidence from studies in the USA, Finland, China, India and Japan that lifestyle changes (achieving a healthy body weight and moderate physical activity) can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in those at high risk”.12

In Prevention: Type 2 Diabetes Australia elaborate on:

“Evidence shows type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in up to 58 per cent of cases by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and following a healthy eating plan. Many people don’t know they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent the condition by:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Regular physical activity
  • Making healthy food choices
  • Managing blood pressure
  • Managing cholesterol levels
  • Not smoking”.13

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have diabetes?

If you think you have diabetes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Preventing and Treating Diabetes the American Heart Association explain:

“Diabetes can be successfully managed. Work with your health care team to set personal goals. And be sure to monitor your critical health numbers, including your:

  • Blood sugar level
  • Weight
  • Blood cholesterol level
  • Blood pressure

Taking these steps may also help prevent serious complications that can arise from diabetes”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Diabetes?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Diabetes?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Diabetes and Menopause. Published: 15 January 2019. Updated: 29 October 2023. Diabetes.co.uk https://www.diabetes.co.uk/menopause-and-diabetes.html Accessed: 03 July 2024
  2. Diabetes: Overview. 05 April 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes Accessed: 03 July 2024
  3. About Diabetes: What Is Diabetes. International Diabetes Federation https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes.html Accessed: 03 July 2024
  4. Types 1 Diabetes. International Diabetes Federation https://idf.org/about-diabetes/type-1-diabetes/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  5. Types 2 Diabetes. International Diabetes Federation https://idf.org/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  6. Type 2 Diabetes. What Causes Type 2 Diabetes? Diabetes Australia https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  7. Diabetes Hits Women Hard At Menopause: Beat It Back. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/bone-health-and-heart-health/diabetes-hits-women-hard-at-menopause-beat-it-back Accessed: 03 July 2024
  8. Diabetes and Menopause. Published: 15 January 2019. Updated: 29 October 2023. Diabetes.co.uk https://www.diabetes.co.uk/menopause-and-diabetes.html Accessed: 03 July 2024
  9. Consumer Health: Diabetes and Menopause. 16 November 2021. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/consumer-health-diabetes-and-menopause/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  10. Consumer Health: Diabetes and Menopause. 16 November 2021. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/consumer-health-diabetes-and-menopause/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  11. Consumer Health: Diabetes and Menopause: Diabetes and Menopause: What To Expect. Published: 15 January 2019. Updated: 29 October 2023. Diabetes.co.uk https://www.diabetes.co.uk/menopause-and-diabetes.html Accessed: 03 July 2024
  12. Diabetes Prevention. International Diabetes Federation https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-prevention/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  13. Prevention: Type 2. Diabetes Australia https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/prevention/ Accessed: 03 July 2024
  14. Preventing and Treating Diabetes. Last Reviewed: 14 April 2024. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/prevention–treatment-of-diabetes Accessed: 03 July 2024
Topic Last Updated: 24 August 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 July 2024

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