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Why it鈥檚 particularly important for diabetics to manage stress during the pandemic

Janice Harris listens to music to relax and de-stress. A new study by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds stress relief is critical to managing Type 2 diabetes, finding a direct link between cortisol and glucose levels. (Courtesy The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center)

New findings linking the stress hormone cortisol and blood sugar levels have important implications for people with Type 2 diabetes: Sustained levels of cortisol over time can cause increases in their glucose levels, according .

鈥淲e know that in diabetes that is particularly an issue because higher glucoses are associated with many things, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and eye disease, said Dr. Joshua J. Joseph, an .

Joseph is an endocrinologist and researcher at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center鈥檚 Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center. He study.

鈥淪trategies that improve both cortisol and stress are really key at this time,鈥 Joseph said.

He recommends people with Type 2 diabetes actively find ways to relax that might include using mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, message therapy, taking a walk, reading a book or listening to music.

鈥淲e know that one of the critical factors for individuals with diabetes in the pandemic is controlling their blood sugars,鈥 Joseph said.

Diabetes doesn鈥檛 increase risk for contracting COVID-19, but it can lead to worse outcomes.

鈥淭here鈥檚 higher risk of longer length of stay in the hospital, as well as needing intensive care unit beds and just greater morbidity and mortality,鈥 Joseph noted.

Joseph said this latest research shows the importance of the mind/body connection that new research is exploring more fully.

鈥淲e currently have another study ongoing looking at mindfulness-based cognition therapy for depressive symptoms and Type 2 diabetes,鈥 Joseph said, noting that it鈥檚
psychologist. 鈥淭his is just one more avenue where individuals can improve not only depressive symptoms in stress, but also their blood sugars.鈥

Dr. Joshua J. Joseph explains how cortisol can be good or bad, depending on the body producing it

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Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the 91欧美激情 newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

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