ESCANABA — Modern humans are prone to a host of maladies. One of the most common and potentially debilitating diseases is diabetes. It is an unusual condition in that there is a great variety of manifestations resulting from the condition, with numerous organs potentially affected. Most have heard of the vision and kidney problems. Then there are the complications to nerves and blood vessels leading too often to infection and amputation of the feet.

Diabetics are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, as well as a reduced ability to fight infections. And newer research has uncovered another; diabetes can interfere with cognition, the ability to think clearly. Many healthcare providers can recount tales of noncompliant diabetic patients. It now appears their inability to accurately follow instructions may be due to this reduction in cognitive abilities.

The latest findings reveal a new condition associated with diabetes, a higher incidence of depression, one of the most common mental illnesses. Adults with diabetes are more likely to report depression than those without. Research seems to indicate it may be up to three times more common in the presence of type 1 diabetes, and twice as likely with type 2.

Generally, depression seems to be the result of a complex interaction of many factors, including psychological, biological, social. The latest data shows depression isn’t necessarily a problem with brain chemistry but may be due to an individual’s nerve cell connections. Certainly, social issues such as living through abuse, personal loss, and similar adverse events can make the development of depression more likely. Depression is a common occurrence, affecting nearly 4% of the world population and 5% of American adults.

There have been indications of a relationship between mental disorders and sugar intake for years. A recent study found a clear association between high sugar consumption and some of the more common mental disorders. The researchers concluded that sugar intake has an adverse effect on long-term psychological health (a finding shared by many parents of young children).

Is there definitive proof that overall sugar intake, be it corn syrup, sucrose, or some other form of sugar, causes long term mood or emotional disorders? There is growing evidence intimating there is a relationship between mood disturbances and blood-sugar. Symptoms of poor blood sugar control have been shown to match mental health symptoms, like anxiety and irritability. This shouldn’t be a surprise since the primary fuel for the brain is glucose. But there is conflicting data on the topic and research continues.

Naturally, there will be those who contend it’s simply the fact that having this horrible disease is depressing. Likely, this is a factor, but not an explanation. More than having a potentially harmful disease is required for the mental illness of depression to develop.

Diabetes can obviously be overwhelming, depending on the manifestations of the disease. And it’s not as though this is a category of medicine about which we have great certainty. This is probably the “softest” science in existence (right up there with meteorology).

Many are initially told they are prediabetic. Although there is the potential for complications from being prediabetic, the disease doesn’t carry nearly the risks and consequences of diabetes mellitus. But, in a way, the diagnosis is an invitation, although one not often extended. Being told you are pre-diabetes means that your body is experiencing higher than normal blood sugar levels, a sign your muscle cells are becoming resistant to insulin. Without a significant change in lifestyle, eventually you’ll probably develop diabetes.

But it should be a wake-up call. Not to take another drug to control your blood sugar, but to take measures to control your diet and improve your fitness. Any individual diagnosed with this initial condition should be educated about the lifestyle changes that can potentially stave off the onset of this potentially deadly malady.

Now we can add another to the extensive list of problems developing secondary to having diabetes. Recent research has better defined the role of dietary sugar and our long-term psychological health. Depression is apparently one of the consequences of diabetes and requires a wholly different approach to treatment.

Will better control of your blood glucose levels result in a better state of mind? It’s too soon to say; the jury is still out! But if you have diabetes, and unhealthy thoughts and feelings are becoming frequent, this may shed some light on why. Now go talk to someone and get some care.

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Dr. Conway McLean is a physician practicing foot and ankle medicine in the Upper Peninsula, with offices in Escanaba, Marquette, and L’Anse. McLean has lectured internationally on wound care and surgery, being board certified in surgery, orthotic therapy and wound care. His articles on health and wellness appear in multiple local and national publications. Dr. McLean welcomes subject requests for future articles at drcmclean@outlook.com.