The Link Between Menopause and Diabetes

By Kim Allarie

How, if at all, are menopause and diabetes related? During menopause, hormonal changes in the body set off a chemical chain eventually leading to fluctuations in blood sugar level. We've been mostly focused on the symptoms surrounding menopause, bur recent studies have shown that the hormonal changes happening throughout menopause increase the risks of diabetes.

There are common symptoms that women experience during both menopause and perimenopause. All women will eventually experience menopause, although the symptoms they experience will vary. Some of the symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, mood swings, sleeplessness and gaining weight. However, because menopause and diabetes might be linked, you ought to be aware of the following information.

Most women who are undergoing menopause have a tough time sleeping at night. And because we are not getting adequate sleep, it is a proven fact that our blood sugar levels rise. Weight gain that may occur throughout menopause is able to significantly affect the body's blood sugar level. Diabetes may result from that in its turn.

A study which spanned four years researched post-menopausal women to assess their blood flow and how well their arteries and vessels functioned. Twice a year, these women took blood tests and had physical examinations. None of the women in the study had diabetes when it began, but some developed it over the four years during which the study was conducted. Blood flow in the veins and arteries had shifted dramatically.

Despite the fact that outcomes have shown a probable connection between menopause and diabetes, researchers can't state with sureness that the factor that causes diabetes in menopausal women is cell dysfunction, or if it is because they already have diabetes. To restate, ladies did not suffer from diabetes at the start of the study, therefore assertions that this was the culprit in cell dysfunction is not valid. Instead, researchers are inclined to believe that dysfunction in cells lining blood vessels may lead toward diabetes.

Although research implies that a connection exists between menopause and diabetes, this is still being debated. Have your blood sugar checked twice a year to determine if you may be developing early signs of diabetes. Eat healthfully, do your exercises, and talk to a physician if you suspect you might have symptoms of diabetes. - 30307

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