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Depression is a frequent problem for many people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and their healthcare workers. In a study reported in March 2012 in the journal Diabetes Education, investigators looked at spirituality and depression in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Two hundred and one adults with diabetes were included in the study. Greater spirituality was associated with a lower measure of depression. It was concluded spiritual values and beliefs of people with a diagnosis of diabetes should be incorporated with diabetes care. Faith-based diabetes education could improve self-care and blood sugar control if patients felt less depressed and more confident.
The study was consistent with a different study reported on in the journal Nursing Research in the fall of 2008. Researchers in Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, United States, looked at religion and spirituality and blood sugar control in a population of American Black women.
The study included 109 Black women with type 2 diabetes…
- having a high level of religious belief and spirituality was associated with good blood sugar control.
From this again, it was suggested that religion and spirituality be included in diabetes care to improve blood sugar control.
Another study, reported in the journal Ethnic Disease in the winter of 2003, reported similar results with blood pressure control in Black women with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Yale University, in New Haven, United States, looked at 22 Black women with Type 2 diabetes…
- the diabetics who reported religious and spiritual well-being had lower diastolic blood pressures than those who reported lower religious and spiritual well-being.
The diastolic (lower number) blood pressure indicates the force of blood against the walls of the arteries when the heart is at rest. Having a high diastolic blood pressure indicates the heart is struggling. Heart and blood vessel disease is one of the worst complications of diabetes, so avoiding high blood pressure is important for preventing heart attacks and heart failure.
From this information, it was also concluded that spiritual and emotional health among Black women with Type 2 diabetes could potentially reduce their risk for complications of diabetes.
On the other hand, a study reported in 2004 in the International Journal of Psychiatry and Medicine reported that religious struggles could be associated with increased levels of depression. Investigators at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, United States, examined:
- 71 diabetics,
- 70 people with heart failure, and
- 97 people who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Fifteen per cent reported moderate or high levels of religious struggle, which was associated with higher levels of depression and emotional distress in patients in all three groups. In the end, the choice of religiosity and spirituality is a deeply personal one and one that must be decided by each individual.
By the way, do you want to learn more about how to be healthier and live longer in spite of having Type 2 diabetes. If so, I suggest you check this out: Natural Diabetes Treatments.
About Author: For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
