Most people wouldn’t think there’s any connection between conditions as diverse as diabetes and arthritis, so you might be surprised to learn that research suggests a very strong association between them. In fact, nearly half of all people with diabetes have arthritis, and having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) raises your risk for type 2 diabetes by 50 percent.
So, what’s the correlation and what can you do to help a senior parent with both conditions? Read on to learn more...
The Inflammation Link
RA is a condition that causes inflammation in the body. When it occurs for a short period of time, inflammation can help the body to heal. However, when inflammation is persistent, it can cause the body to change the way it responds to insulin, causing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. When a person has type 2 diabetes their body either does not use insulin the way it should or does not produce enough insulin.
The fact that RA causes inflammation may suggest that RA can cause diabetes, but diabetes can also cause inflammation, which might open the body up to RA. RA is not caused by diabetes, but by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research shows that when inflammation is present in the body, it may cause people who are genetically predisposed to RA to develop the condition sooner than they might otherwise.
Experts aren’t sure if one condition leads to the other. There seems to be stronger evidence that RA can lead to diabetes, but it’s unclear if diabetes can lead to RA.
The Autoimmune Link
An autoimmune disease causes the body’s immune system to target healthy cells instead of the germs that cause illness. Both RA and diabetes are autoimmune diseases. With RA, the immune system attacks the joints. When a person has diabetes, the immune system attacks the pancreas and affects its ability to produce insulin. People with autoimmune diseases often have more than one kind of autoimmune disease.
Managing Both Conditions
If your parent has RA, it may make them more likely to lead a sedentary lifestyle because of pain. However, exercise is essential in managing or preventing type 2 diabetes. If your parent is hesitant to exercise because of pain or fear of injury, hiring a senior care provider through an agency could help ease your parent’s fears. A senior care provider’s presence during exercise can allow your parent to feel secure because they know that someone is there to help should they get hurt. In addition to assisting with exercise, a senior care provider can also prepare healthy meals to help control blood sugar.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering homecare in Beverly Hills, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Our number is 323-244-4789.
Sources
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/comorbidities/diabetes-and-arthritis/ http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/comorbidities/diabetes-and-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis-diabetes-risk.php http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-diabetes-link#1 http://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/living-with/the-link-between-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-diabetes/
