What is the impact of chronic stress on diabetes management?

What is the impact of chronic stress on diabetes management?

• A. It can lead to improved blood sugar control.
• B. It has no significant impact on diabetes management.
• C. It can lead to poor blood sugar control and increased risk of complications.
• D. It reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Answer: (C)

Chronic stress significantly impacts diabetes management primarily by leading to poor blood sugar control and increasing the risk of complications. When an individual experiences chronic stress, the body's physiological response includes the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can cause an increase in blood glucose levels due to the body's fight-or-flight response, which diverts energy resources to prepare for immediate physical responses. As a result, individuals with diabetes may find it more challenging to maintain stable blood glucose levels because stress can affect dietary choices, medication adherence, and physical activity levels. Chronic stress is also associated with a higher incidence of emotional issues such as anxiety and depression, which can further complicate diabetes management and adherence to treatment regimens. Overall, the accumulation of these effects leads to poor blood sugar control, which is a key factor in increasing the risk of both short-term complications (such as diabetic ketoacidosis) and long-term complications (such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease). Therefore, recognizing and managing stress is crucial for improving overall diabetes care and preventing complications.

Chronic stress significantly impacts diabetes management primarily by leading to poor blood sugar control and increasing the risk of complications. When an individual experiences chronic stress, the body's physiological response includes the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can cause an increase in blood glucose levels due to the body's fight-or-flight response, which diverts energy resources to prepare for immediate physical responses.

As a result, individuals with diabetes may find it more challenging to maintain stable blood glucose levels because stress can affect dietary choices, medication adherence, and physical activity levels. Chronic stress is also associated with a higher incidence of emotional issues such as anxiety and depression, which can further complicate diabetes management and adherence to treatment regimens.

Overall, the accumulation of these effects leads to poor blood sugar control, which is a key factor in increasing the risk of both short-term complications (such as diabetic ketoacidosis) and long-term complications (such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease). Therefore, recognizing and managing stress is crucial for improving overall diabetes care and preventing complications.