While we all continue to adapt to the new normal that the epidemic has brought about, some of us may need to confront more pressing issues like diabetes and cancer. We still have to deal with these difficulties on a daily basis even though nobody would ever ask for them. We can manage and overcome them both as long as we have the right support, resources, and equipment.
This post will cover all the information you require to understand the relationship between diabetes and cancer, how radiation affects blood sugar, how to manage diabetes while receiving radiation therapy, and some of the best strategies for overcoming these two health risks.
The relationship between diabetes and cancer
Unbelievably, there are cases where patients receive a cancer diagnosis and then discover they have diabetes. Eight to eighteen percent of persons have both diabetes and cancer, according to Cancercenter. Diabetes can now be classified as either Type 1 or Type 2. There is a correlation between each of these kinds and certain cancer types.
Insulin Dependence Diabetes Mellitus, or Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin produced by the pancreas is either absent or very low in people with type 1 diabetes. Any age can acquire this illness, however it usually appears in childhood or in people under 30. One advantage is that regular insulin injections can be used to manage it. The bad news is that stomach and cervical malignancies are frequently associated with it.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, often known as non-insulin dependence
This kind of diabetes is more prevalent in nature than kind 1. It occurs when the fundamental role of insulin, which is to balance blood glucose levels in the body, is not fulfilled by the pancreas. People who are overweight and over 30 years of age are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Healthy food choices (low-fiber and simple carbohydrates), frequent exercise, and the use of prescribed medications or insulin when necessary can all help to effectively manage this condition. Here, controlling weight is crucial.
Cancers of the liver, pancreas, breast, kidney, and colon are frequently associated with type 2 diabetes. After you are diagnosed, it is imperative that you begin treatment as soon as possible. This aids in the administration of medication, prescription writing, and medical guidance by your healthcare providers to assist you in controlling and overcoming these onsets.
Radiation’s effects on diabetes
Chemotherapy is a well-known treatment for cancer. In actuality, chemotherapy is applied in three ways:
- Surgery (removal of malignant tissues or tumors)
- Radiation therapy (killing cancer cells with radioactive particles)
- Biological therapy the use of antibodies, microorganisms, or vaccinations to destroy malignant cells.
Chemotherapy helps patients manage their disease, but it has side effects that might make it difficult to control blood sugar. Your healthcare provider may also administer steroids, which are frequently used to reduce nausea, in addition to any of the previously listed methods.
But steroids are also known to raise blood glucose levels, necessitating a modified diabetes treatment regimen that can include initiating insulin injections at the same time as the steroids are taken.
Frequent side effects of chemotherapy that impact blood glucose levels include diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. After eating a substantial meal, vomiting or diarrhea reduces the amount of food that is absorbed by the body. Consequently, there is a sharp decline in blood glucose levels.
Uncontrolled high blood glucose levels are another side effect to be aware of as they can also cause dehydration. Your kidneys and urinary tract are two of the organs that suffer from dehydration. This highlights how crucial it is to often check for and treat elevated blood glucose, particularly during chemotherapy treatments.
Endocrinologist Dr. Azeez Farooki, who treats cancer patients, also observes that when patients aren’t feeling well, they often turn to “comfort foods.” Since these foods usually include a lot of carbohydrates, they should be avoided as they may cause blood glucose levels to become dangerously high.
Keeping your blood glucose levels in check while managing cancer
Diabetes can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes diet and exercise, especially if you have Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Determining what, when, and how much to eat each day is essential to maintaining a healthy blood glucose balance.
This entails seeking advice on how to develop a sustainable and nutritious food plan from your neighborhood physician and/or dietitian. These meal plans usually feature lots of fruits, whole grains, low-fat and low-calorie vegetables, as well as lean meats and greens. By doing this, you can maintain controllable blood glucose levels.
Regular exercise has a big impact on your ability to control your weight as well. Exercise doesn’t have to consist of a two-hour soul cycle or a hard cardio workout. It’s only necessary to perform a few easy, 30-minute workouts at home! In actuality, physical activity mitigates the adverse effects of chemotherapy. It is very beneficial to your general well-being (mental and physical).
It is strongly advised that you consult your local doctor before beginning a new fitness regimen to make sure you are getting the most out of moderate physical activity and blood glucose control.
Read Also: Diabetes And Ham
Top 7 tips on how to manage diabetes during cancer treatment
It’s not impossible, even though no one promised it would be simple. It’s a sensible decision to make such difficult decisions for your loved ones’ and your own well-being. In light of this, the top 7 recommendations for controlling blood sugar levels both during and after cancer treatment are included below.
Learn for yourself
You’re probably headed in the correct direction if you’re reading this. Acquiring knowledge and comprehension about diabetes and its impact on cancer therapies might be beneficial when coping with the obstacles this illness presents on a daily basis. This lowers your risk of developing problems from diabetes and empowers you to make better decisions about what’s best for your physical well-being.
Make a plan beforehand
Benjamin Franklin is credited as saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” You and the medical team can better prepare and change your diet, exercise routine, and medication if you regularly contact and communicate with the dieticians and health care specialists in your area about your goals. Consequently, you will be more equipped to control your blood glucose levels.
Keep a strict eye on your blood glucose levels
As previously indicated, standard cancer therapies including chemotherapy may raise blood glucose levels. Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range reduces the chance of infection, exhaustion, more nausea, and other side effects while receiving therapy.
Remain physically fit
Exercise enhances your cells’ ability to absorb and handle glucose, builds muscle that lowers insulin resistance, and releases endorphins, which are substances that elevate your mood and calmness. You can always work out at home if making the drive to the gym doesn’t work with your schedule!
Make a meal plan
It’s critical to understand the types, amounts, and timing of the food you eat in order to manage your blood glucose levels. It’s vital to balance out your protein, lipids, and carbohydrates! It’s a terrific approach to invest in your health to choose high-fiber meals like avocados, leafy greens like spinach, and fatty fish like salmon or sardines over high-sugar items like cake, milk chocolate, or candies.
If you’re having trouble creating a meal plan, ask your neighborhood healthcare practitioner or a qualified dietician for advice on what, when, and how much to eat each day.
Control your tension
Added stress to anything else you may be going through in life could very well be caused by diabetes and cancer. In reality, excessive stress may actually raise the synthesis of hormones that block insulin, raising blood sugar levels.
Fortunately, there are lots of strategies to manage your tension and make the most of the day! Any activity that promotes relaxation is beneficial, such as yoga, going for a walk in the neighborhood park, rocking chair relaxation, or listening to slow music.
Reduce or abstain from consuming alcohol
Regular heavy drinking can lead to serious cell damage in addition to the high calorie and sugar content of most alcoholic beverages. Your blood glucose levels may surge unexpectedly as a result, which might be dangerous if unchecked.
The best course of action is to abstain completely from alcohol, however for men and women, the maximum is two drinks each. Five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor, and twelve ounces of beer make up a single drink serving.
In summary
There are a few strategies to help your local healthcare professionals improve your health, even if any form of diabetes may add additional medical aspects to the diagnosis and therapy for blood glucose control and cancer treatments.
This entails engaging in regular, controlled exercise as well as adhering to food plans that you have discussed with your qualified dietitian.
As long as someone is willing, anything is possible, no matter how difficult things may seem. Having radiation therapy with managing diabetes can be physically and psychologically taxing. However, managing diabetes with cancer is quite achievable if you surround yourself with the correct people, information, and mindset to reach your nutritional, lifestyle, and fitness objectives!
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