Complications

Women’s Health
There are complications of diabetes that are unique to women, and should be treated accordingly. Below are three major compilations affecting women who are diabetic.
Coronary Heart Disease
Source: http://www.heartdf.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Why-Many-Feared-the-Coronary-Heart-Disease.gif
Source: http://www.heartdf.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Why-Many-Feared-the-Coronary-Heart-Disease.gif
According to the ADA, “heart disease is the leading cause of death in women with diabetes.” A significant amount of women who are diagnosed with diabetes have already been diagnosed with heart disease, or at otherwise great risk for developing heart disease. The same factors that may have spurred type 2 diabetes, such as being overweight and having high blood pressure, are factors that can cause heart disease to arise.
How can women prevent/ stop the worsening of Coronary Heart Disease?
The same factors that exacerbate the symptoms and produce complications of diabetes also increase the factors contributing to Coronary Heart Disease. The ADA lists the following mechanisms by which women can stave off/ prevent worsening of Coronary Heart Disease:
  • Don’t Smoke
  • Control your blood pressure
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a low-fat diet
  • Take care of diabetes
  • Be aware of chest pain
  • Know your family history
Source: http://imatter.silvercross.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/smoking1.jpg
Source: http://imatter.silvercross.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/smoking1.jpg
Eating Disorders
Research that has been conducted indicates that eating disorders are more common among women with diabetes than women without diabetes. Diabetic women who have eating disorders (EDs) are at risk of not properly caring for their diabetes, because EDs affect how, when, and what women consume. Below, we explore three major EDs.
Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/body-image/images/mirror.jpg
Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/body-image/images/mirror.jpg
  • Anorexia is characterized by fear of weight gain. Women who are anorexic may deprave themselves of important nutrients and aggravate their diabetes.
  • Bulimia is defined by regular binge eating, and often, purging, through vomiting, strenuous exercise, the use of laxatives, and starvation. Bulimia is especially damaging to women with diabetes because they may neglect insulin injection.
  • Binge Eating Disorder is defined by eating large portions of food, beyond the point of being full, in a short period of time or one sitting. Unlike bulimics, binge eaters do not purge, but may restrict their caloric intake in the form of diets and feel emotionally distraught. 
If you suspect that you may have an eating disorder, speak with your doctor immediately. You can visit the following links for more information:
National Eating Disorders Association
Eating Disorder Hope
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome impacts 5-10 percent of the female population and causes infertility in women.
The most common symptoms of PCOS in women are:
  • Abnormal menstrual cycles
  • No periods
  • Irregular periods
  • Heavy or prolonged bleeding
  • Painful periods
  • Inability to get pregnant
  • Acne
  • Facial hair (more than is normal for the ethnic group)
  • Waist measurement greater than 35 inches, or waist bigger than hips (apple shape)
  • Acanthosis nigricans: darker patches of skin in neck folds, armpits, folds in waistline, or groin
How are diabetes and PCOS interrelated?
Though there have been few conclusive studies made about the link between PCOS and diabetes, there is evidence that suggests that abnormally elevated levels of insulin can cause  increased production of androgen, or testosterone, which worsens the symptoms of PCOS.
For more information on the procedure for diagnosing PCOS and how to treat it, visit the following websites:
American Diabetes Association PSCOS
Women’s Health PCOS
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