COVID as a Metabolic Wake-Up Call: What Is the Relationship Between Insulin, Blood Sugar, and Immunity? Part I

After over a year of battling the COVID pandemic, we are beginning to understand the implications of general health and wellness on the disease. Concerns such as metabolism and blood sugar may play a significant role in determining who suffers the worst symptoms and what it takes to recover. In this two-part blog series, we’ll examine these concerns and uncover the metabolic wake-up call underlying the pandemic for many patients with pre-existing conditions.

Diabetes Is a Huge Risk Factor for COVID Complications

While more data is needed to determine whether diabetes truly increases the potential for contracting the coronavirus, the association between this chronic condition and the most severe COVID cases is abundantly clear. This is true for both type I and type II diabetes.

Diabetes can technically increase the potential for severe symptoms with any virus, but the significant role of inflammation in COVID symptoms is especially worrisome. After all, diabetes patients are more vulnerable to inflammatory problems than the general population.

Increased Risk of Mortality During Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) develops in response to excess ketones in the body. This is more common among patients with type I diabetes. Research suggests a significant uptick in mortality rates for those simultaneously suffering from COVID and DKA. The root cause of this problem remains unclear.

Proper Management Is Key to Reducing Risk

Diabetes and other metabolic conditions may be associated with severe COVID symptoms, but experts at the American Diabetes Association emphasize that condition management can make a huge difference. Now, more than ever, patients should adhere to doctor recommendations regarding diet, exercise, and insulin.

COVID can hold huge implications for today’s medical malpractice cases, so it’s important to work with a lawyer who is prepared to take on these challenges. Contact Regan Zambri Long PLLC to learn more.