Why COVID-19 leads to a spike in the blood sugar level
Coronavirus infection can affect different organs of the body leading to varied symptoms. A lot of these symptoms may linger for long after the initial infection, worsening the symptoms of pre-existing health conditions. Even in case of diabetes, it has been witnessed that the contagious virus can lead to severe infection and make the road to recovery burdensome. Now new research suggests that it may also cause sudden onset of insulin-dependent diabetes.
How COVID infection can lead to new diabetes cases
As per a study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, high level of stress experienced during the coronavirus infection can be the reason for the rise in the cases of diabetes post-COVID. They clarified that the condition diagnosed after the infection can be a temporary one, rather than a permanent fixture. That means rather than directly causing diabetes, coronavirus infection can push the individual towards the pre-diabetic phase or can flare up the symptoms of pre-existing undiagnosed diabetes to be noticed by the physician. The high blood sugar level after the infection can be a temporary condition caused by acute stress.
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Why is diabetes caused after COVID infection is considered temporary?
Based on the detailed evaluation, the researchers stated that the level of blood sugar suddenly goes high in recovered COVID patients, then it is back to normal after a few weeks. It remains high only for a short period, so the condition is being considered as temporary or transitory. But even for this short period, the patient may need insulin or blood sugar medication.
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What type of diabetes is it?
Based on the results of several other studies and cases of high blood sugar reported after the initial coronavirus infection, scientists are still trying to understand the type of diabetes caused by COVID-19. Both adults and teens are reported to be diagnosed with relatively high blood sugar levels, so it is confusing to say if it is Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused due to several factors like environmental and genetic, which is much more complex than the causes of Type 2 diabetes. So, the chances of coronavirus leading to Type 1 diabetes is quite slim.
When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, scientists believe that the change in lifestyle due to pandemic and the effect of coronavirus on the body may possibly lead to this type of diabetes. However, nothing can be confirmed. The major confusion is that none of the two types of diabetes is temporary. They are lifelong conditions and once diagnosed with them, the patient needs to take medication and follow other precautionary measures forever. Diabetes caused after coronavirus infection is temporary and it is suspected to be a new type of diabetes. More research is needed to get a better understanding of the situation.
Common symptoms of diabetes caused after COVID infection
The only difference between the two major types of diabetes and one caused after coronavirus infection is that the latter lasts only for a short time. The symptoms of this condition are similar to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Some common signs include:
Feeling thirsty
Feeling tired
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Frequent urination
Itching around genitalia
Blurred vision
If you have recently recovered from coronavirus and experienced any of these symptoms, consult your doctors to rule out the possibility of COVID-19 led diabetes.