We are all familiar with diabetes, a disease often linked with a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. However, regardless of the cause, Marla Ahlgrimm says that diabetes can have a significant effect on women’s health. Today, the self-help author, PMS expert, and retired compounding pharmacist touches on diabetes as it relates to women.
Added Complications
Diabetes can increase a woman’s risk of developing or complicating other health conditions. These include but are not limited to:
- Heart disease. As the leading cause of death in women, heart disease is a problem that should never be ignored. Women with diabetes especially should create a close bond with their primary health care physician and/or cardiologist. Diabetes, which can trigger blood vessel damage and systemic inflammation, can elevate a woman’s risk of developing or experiencing complications from heart disease, says Marla Ahlgrimm.
- Blindness. A little-talked-about fact is that diabetes is a major cause of blindness in the US. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that women with the condition are one and a half times more likely to develop vision loss than their male counterparts. Like many of the side effects of diabetes, this is caused by blood vessel damage triggered by high blood sugar levels.
- Kidney disease. Diabetes alters the way the body’s kidneys filter waste products. Women with diabetes are more than two times as likely to experience kidney disease. While this is also common in men, women’s hormones play a part in the added risk of kidney disease.
- Depression. Physical issues, including diabetes, can take a toll on a woman’s overall mental state, says Marla Ahlgrimm. It is not uncommon for women to experience depression due to a combination of the stress of trying to manage their condition and the added health risk associated with it.
Hormonal Impact
Marla Ahlgrimm explains that diabetes affects women’s hormones as well. Just a few examples include:
- Menopause. Menopause is a time in a woman’s life when her body decreases the amount of estrogen it produces. This has an impact on how the body naturally utilizes insulin. Women with high blood sugar already have inhibited insulin production. The combination of menopause and diabetes makes blood sugar levels much harder to manage. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women with diabetes experiencing menopause may need to adjust their diabetes medication.
Other Things To Consider
In addition to the above, Marla Ahlgrimm says that diabetes can contribute to a woman’s risk of developing urinary tract infections. UTIs are more prevalent in women with chronic high blood sugar levels. This is because blood sugar creates the ideal environment for bacteria to flourish in the urinary tract.
Marla Ahlgrimm further explains that diabetes can affect sexual function in women. Vaginal dryness, a reduced libido, and difficulty reaching climax due to nerve damage are all common. Marla Ahlgrimm stresses that women concerned about the state of their intimate relations may find some relief by managing their diabetes.
Ultimately, Marla Ahlgrimm says that professional help is crucial for women with diabetes. A team of healthcare and nutrition providers may help a woman reverse her symptoms and begin to heal. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, people with type II may go into remission with lifestyle changes.
