Diabetes and Atherosclerosis
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease of the cardiovascular system which develops when there is a shortage of or resistance to insulin. Insulin is used to assist the body process blood glucose by converting it to a form in which the cells and tissues can use it for energy and repair.
There are 2 main types of diabetes mellitus, Type 1 diabetes which is also known as “insulin dependent diabetes” and Type 2 diabetes which is known as “insulin resistant” or “adult onset” diabetes. Type 1 diabetics will need injections of insulin for the remainder of their lives. This is because their pancreas does not produce any insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs because the cells are unable to use the insulin which is produced. This type of diabetes is treated with diet, exercise and sometimes medications.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is also known as “hardening of the arteries” and often causes the decline of arterial blood flow in the body. When blood flow is reduced in the coronary arteries which provide blood to the heart, then a heart attack can result. Reducing blood flow to the brain can cause strokes. Any reduction of the blood flow to the extremities is known as “peripheral artery disease’ or PAD.
Diabetes and Atherosclerosis
Add these two together and you have big problems. Scientists have revealed that diabetics are at a much higher risk for developing atherosclerosis because of an assortment of causes. High concentrations of glucose in the blood system aggravate the lining of the arteries which advances the buildup of “plaque”. This can cause the inside of the arteries to become blocked by this plaque buildup, and this causes the blood supply to areas of the body, to be decreased or entirely obstructed.
This buildup of plaque causes an inflammation of the inner lining of the arteries. Believing that plaque buildups are interfering enemy, immune cells enclosed in the circulating blood attacks this plaque. This just leads to more inflammation, swelling and even rupture.
The atypical levels of circulating glucose due to diabetes can lead to even higher concentrations of “free radicals”. These radicals are persistent molecules which attack healthy cell tissues which can result in the damage and destruction of essential organs.
As you can see, diabetes only make atherosclerosis wrong – so those with diabetes need to take care in order that problems with the blood system do not develop.
