Secondary Diabetes
The longer pancreatitis is left untreated, the greater the chances of severe symptoms that an eventually become serious complications. For example, in much the same way that the production of digestive enzymes is complicated due to pancreatitis, the insulin production of the pancreas will also be interrupted. In chronic pancreatitis, this can be so extreme it actually causes diabetes if treatment isn't prioritized. Furthermore, the removal of the pancreas as a treatment for pancreatitis means the body cannot produce insulin at all anymore.
Diabetes caused by pancreatitis is a form of type 1 diabetes and is sometimes referred to as "secondary" diabetes, since an underlying medical condition is causing it. This is in contrast to type 2 diabetes, which is largely caused by dietary issues.
Treatment requires the artificial replacement of the insulin, generally through an injection, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels. In most cases, secondary diabetes will require lifelong treatment. However, the hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) that occurs as a result of the diabetes may be managed sufficiently to undo the harm it causes.
Pancreatic diabetes often comes with different clinical characteristics than other forms of diabetes. In many cases, diabetes will not be obvious—and may even be asymptomatic—until a negative reaction to hyperglycemia occurs.
Ironically, the reverse to pancreatitis-induced diabetes is also possible: some medications used to treat diabetes mellitus have been linked to inciting pancreatitis.
Did you know...
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!