How PTSD Can Either Cause or Aggravate Diabetes

How Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Develop?

Those involved in a traumatic event are at risk of developing a post-traumatic stress disorder. If people are exposed to a particularly jarring event, such as a severe accident, war, or abuse, their mind has trouble processing what has happened. Their levels of epinephrine, also called adrenaline, start to rise. The body then associates these elevated levels of adrenaline with the event. As a result, whenever people are in a frightening situation, and their adrenaline levels start to rise again, they can develop flashbacks and memories associated with the event. It is these flashbacks that cause mental health issues related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Watch YouTube Video: PTSD Warning Signs. The video below provides a closer look at some of the warnings signs of PTSD.

Why Does PTSD Cause or Aggravate Diabetes?

If people are involved in a traumatic accident, their body starts to mobilize its glucose stores to meet the perceived threat. The body requires glucose for energy, and this is termed the “fight or flight” response. Those who have been diagnosed with PTSD may experience frequent flashbacks and cause this stress response to happen more often. As a result, their blood glucose levels remain high consistently. The complications related to this include:

• Developing Diabetes: For those who don’t have diabetes, consistently high levels of blood glucose can lead to its development.
• Aggravating Diabetes: Those who already have diabetes and start to have higher blood glucose levels are prone to developing complications.

As a result, it is important for everyone who has been diagnosed with PTSD to be watchful for diabetes and its complications.

What are the Complications of Diabetes?

Numerous complications could arise when someone has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One of the side effects of uncontrolled high glucose levels is nerve damage. This nerve damage can occur in multiple places throughout the body. A few of the many examples of complications related to diabetes include:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: Nerve damage in the eyes.
• Diabetic Nephropathy: Damage to the kidneys.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to the nerves of the extremities.

If individuals are unable to feel their extremities, this can lead to the development of pressure ulcers. If these ulcers are severe, it could even lead to an amputation.

Contacting an Injury Attorney

If a loved one has been diagnosed with PTSD and subsequently develops diabetes, this can be a confusing time for families. They might not fully understand how either of these disorders developed and could have questions about the future. In these situations, it is helpful to take a few minutes to meet with a Personal Injury Attorney in Sacramento. Speaking with an Injury Lawyer can be beneficial for families through:

• Taking a look at the records from the auto accident to ensure that the details are considered appropriately.
• Assisting families in pursuing damages related to their medical injuries, their emotional distress, and their suffering.
• Taking the case to court, if this is needed.

Families should never feel like they need to face these challenges alone. Help is available. Take a moment to meet with a Sacramento personal injury attorney today. You could be deserving of a financial reward.