As medical care evolves, doctors are starting to see a link between HIV and type 2 diabetes. While the research is ongoing, studies show that people with HIV may be up to four times as likely to develop diabetes than those who don’t have the immunodeficiency disease. When it comes to Black people, the numbers may be even higher given their high risk of having either condition.
How HIV and Type 2 Diabetes are Linked ..Read Full Article
There may be more issues but researchers have identified a few reasons that people with HIV may eventually develop diabetes. First, some medications that are used to treat HIV can consistently raise your blood sugar levels. If this gets out of control, you’re more likely to develop diabetes. However, that side effect might not exist with a few of the newer drugs so it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your options.
Another health issue that can come from HIV medications is uncontrolled weight gain. Since being overweight is one of the known causes of diabetes, you’re more likely to develop the condition. The third potential issue is that the inflammation that comes with HIV can also lead to diabetes.
Finally, statistics show that people with HIV are also likely to have hepatitis C. Doctors have also established a link between hepatitis C and diabetes.
What Black People Should Know
Based on what statistics have to say about Black people, there’s reason for you to be concerned. According to the Office of Minority Health, Black Americans are at a higher risk than other ethnicities to be diagnosed with HIV. The same is true of diabetes.
To make matters worse, Black people are more likely to be overweight, which is a known cause of type 2 diabetes. With all this information considered, it’s clear that Black people are at a high risk for having both HIV and diabetes at the same time,
How to Prevent Diabetes When HIV-Positive
Apart from talking to your doctor about changing your medication for ones that don’t cause weight gain or affect your blood sugar levels, there are other things you can do to reduce your chances of developing diabetes.
It’s a good idea to switch to a healthier diet to maintain a healthy weight. You can do this by avoiding sugary foods, eating more fiber, reducing your alcohol intake, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and including healthier fats in your meals.
You should also exercise more regularly. Since some HIV treatments may affect how you feel, it’s good to ask your doctor for advice. It’s important to note that getting tested for diabetes at least annually will become a part of your doctor’s preventive care regimen.
What to do if You’re Diagnosed
If you’ve already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes along with HIV, then your care becomes a bit more complicated. While you’ll need to manage both conditions well, communication with your doctor will be even more essential. That’s because the treatment of one condition can affect how well your body responds to the treatment of the other.
Studies show that some medications that are used to treat HIV can have significant side effects when given to people who have high blood sugar levels. Additionally, the interaction between HIV and diabetic medications can lead to unwanted weight gain regardless of exercise and diet management.
To make matters more complex, it’s been found that people with HIV don’t have the same reaction to specific diabetes medication. That ineffectiveness can severely affect how well your blood sugar levels are controlled. For Black people, that data is critical because there are a few recent studies that suggest Black Americans may experience a delay in how certain diabetes medications work.
More information is emerging but it’s clear that there’s a link between HIV and diabetes. For Black people, the issue may be more dire because of their established higher risk for HIV and diabetes. Fortunately, there are ways for you to prevent diabetes if you’re living with HIV. If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s best to work with your doctor to determine the best medical regimen for you.
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