There are at least 300 million people who suffer from asthma and an equal number of people who suffer from some form of diabetes. One study that reviewed medical records from the 1960s to the mid-1980s found that among patients who have asthma a larger portion also suffer from diabetes. So, is there a link between the two diseases?
What is the possible link?
It is entirely possible that patients who take certain medications to control their asthma symptoms, such as corticosteroids used to control inflammation of the airways in the lungs, may actually development of type- diabetes. It is believed that sometimes steroid based medication cause people to be thrown into a diabetic state.
Some medical scientists and theorists surmise that as often as patients who smoke, thereby causing damage to their lungs, also tend to develop diabetes it is not too far a stretch in thinking that there is a plausible link between asthma and diabetes. The thinking that the common denominator between asthma and diabetes—inflammation—shows that the two distinct illnesses may a causal link. And then there is the medicinal treatment for asthma, being the steroids that may stimulate diabetic tendencies already genetically present in some people.
How can you learn if you are at risk?
Because of this possible link that shows that medicinal treatments, such as inhalers, may open up the individual pathways within the body for diabetes that may be dormant in a patient doctors are advising that patients who have asthma should be screened for diabetes. This is an important recommendation because not all patients who have diabetes will have symptoms unless they are stimulated by certain medical treatments.
Having asthma enhances the possibility of acquiring type 2 diabetes due to inherent life stressors as well. Often the same things that exacerbate asthma also exacerbate diabetes:
- Inactivity: Asthma often leads to inactivity, which could lead to weight gain that in turn may flip the internal switch for diabetes
- High carb intake: Often inactivity leads to poor diet choices that can aggravate insulin issues in diabetic
- Illness: Asthmatics and diabetics both have weaker immune systems that can lead to more health issue related to both or either condition.
- Stress: Excitable situations tend to aggravate asthma symptoms
- Glucose raising medications: Corticosteroid medications tend to raise glucose
- Weight gain: The tendency to become less active to prevent asthma attacks along with eating out of boredom tends to create a one-two combination that tends to aggravate both conditions.
- Environment: Areas with poor air quality tend to aggravate asthma resulting in more dependency on inhalers, and result in weight gain due to the need to stay indoors.
If you or someone you love has asthma and they are seeking treatment, you should advise them to discuss treatment with their doctor. If they have any of the known risk factors for diabetes ( smoker, family history, or excessive weight) they should ask to be screened for diabetes before beginning treatment for their asthma.