Study: 1 in 10 sufferers of Covid

Diabetes is a medical condition that can increase the risk of complications and death in COVID-19 patients. A recent study in France even stated that one in ten COVID-19 patients with diabetes died within the first seven days of being hospitalized.

Risk of death from COVID-19 in diabetes patients

Several researchers in France looked at more than 1,300 COVID-19 patients spread across 53 hospitals between March 10-31. Patients consisted of 89 percent of people with type 2 diabetes, 3 percent of people with type 1 diabetes, and the rest people with other types of diabetes.

Most of the patients in this study were men with a mean age of 70 years. Age and gender factors were also studied because previous studies found a link with severe complications and death in COVID-19 patients.

By the seventh day of hospitalization, about 29 percent of the patients ended up on a ventilator or died. Overall, the number of COVID-19 patients with diabetes who die is one in ten.

The mortality rate for patients on a ventilator is even higher. As many as one in five patients on a ventilator die within seven days of hospitalization. At the end of the study, 18 percent of patients were declared cured.

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Researchers suspect that the patient's death was not due to uncontrolled blood sugar, but complications of diabetes. In this study, as many as 47 percent of patients had eye, kidney, or nerve complications. Meanwhile 41 percent suffer from complications from the heart, brain and legs.

Age also has a big influence. According to the researchers, the risk of death for patients aged 65-74 years was 3 times greater than for patients 55 years and under. In a patient aged 75 years, the risk increases to 14 times.

COVID-19 patients with diabetes are also more at risk of dying if they have apnea (sudden stopping of breathing) during sleep, shortness of breath, and obesity. There is also a suggestion that male gender adds to the risk.

Of all these factors, the conditions that have the most influence on increasing the risk of death are diabetes, old age, and obesity. Researchers also emphasize the importance of controlling blood sugar and body weight to prevent complications of COVID-19.

The relationship between diabetes and COVID-19

Diabetes does not make you more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. Like most people, you can catch it if you inhale it droplet or touch an item with a virus. This is the importance of applying physical distancing and maintain personal hygiene.

If you have diabetes, what you need to be aware of are the complications. Others may recover from COVID-19 with home quarantine, but complications of diabetes make COVID-19 even more dangerous.

Uncontrolled diabetes can worsen symptoms of COVID-19. This disease also makes it easier for you to get sick and tired. This is why more patients with COVID-19 who suffer from diabetes are hospitalized.

In addition, uncontrolled blood sugar can also interfere with the immune system. If immune function decreases, the body will have more difficulty fighting off infections. Coronavirus can last longer in the body and cause severe symptoms.

Healthy tips for diabetics during a pandemic

Diabetes is one of the diseases with the highest number of sufferers. Therefore, the high number of diabetics who have died from COVID-19 has certainly raised concerns for many people.

You can stay healthy during a pandemic by following the steps you can take as follows.

1. Take medication according to the rules

Medicines and insulin will help you control blood sugar. Always take your medication according to your doctor's orders. If there is a problem with your medication, immediately consult a doctor to find a solution.

2. Eat healthy foods

Write down what you can and shouldn't consume. Eat lots of vegetables and fruit, and also follow the meal portions that you have consulted with your doctor.

3. Physical activity

Physical activity is very important in diabetes management. Try doing light activities such as gymnastics, yoga, or housekeeping for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise is done 3-5 times / week. If certain activities make your body uncomfortable, replace them with lighter ones.

4. Prevent disease transmission

Stay at home and avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you have to go outside, wear a mask and keep a safe distance from other people. Get in the habit of washing hands using soap and water or hand sanitizer when not available.

Diabetes affects every system in the body. If not managed properly, sufferers can experience complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage.

These complications make the impact of COVID-19 even more severe, increasing the risk of diabetics dying. You can anticipate this by controlling blood sugar, taking medication regularly, and taking precautions.