Diabetes and depression often go hand-in-hand. According to many studies, diabetes and depression appear to be intimately linked. People with diabetes may be more likely to become depressed, while people who suffer from depression may have a greater risk of developing diabetes.

To start with, simply being diagnosed with diabetes can pack an emotional wallop. For many people, it may be the first long-term health concern they’ve faced. The stress of dealing with new routines (diet, exercise, medication) and worries about the future are enough make anyone feel depressed.

Past studies have found that depression is associated with poor blood glucose control, diminished quality of life, and more time and money spent on health care. People who are depressed may not feel motivated to take care of themselves as carefully as needed. Some may binge on unhealthy snacks to lift their mood. Others may feel too tired or apathetic to exercise. Some people even lose track of how much medication they should be taking, or they may skip doses altogether. These negligent behaviors only increase the patient’s problems, leading to further complications—and possibly even to a doubled risk of death.ⁱ

It is estimated that up to a quarter of people with diabetes have bouts of depression, while up to 15% may suffer from major depression. Many people with diabetes may not realize that their emotional state can seriously affect their physical well-being. Patients may not mention feelings of anger, denial, or sadness to their doctor during regular visits because they don’t believe such feelings are related or relevant. Many doctors also may not think to ask after a patient’s emotional health unless the patient brings up the topic first. As a consequence, depression often remains undiagnosed and therefore untreated. To complicate matters, poorly-controlled diabetes can sometimes present symptoms that mimic that of depression.ⁱⁱ Blood sugar fluctuations can make you feel fatigued or nervous. Low blood sugar may cause you to overeat or sleep poorly.

Talking with a doctor, psychiatrist, or support group can help alleviate these feelings and give patients the support they need, as well as strategies to cope with the lifestyle changes that are an inevitable part of diabetes care. American Diabetes Wholesale urges you to speak with your healthcare professional if you think you may have experienced symptoms that mimic those of depression. He or she can help you determine whether your symptoms spring from physical or mental causes, and can point you toward the proper treatment to ensure your health and well-being.

This week, American Diabetes Wholesale is featuring select foot care products for your comfort and well-being. If you haven’t tried a cream formulated specifically for the needs of people with diabetes, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make. Why not try one for yourself?

PediSof-D Diabetic Foot Cream
PediSof-D Diabetic Foot Cream is the perfect size to tuck into your purse or overnight bag to take along wherever you go. This non-greasy cream penetrates quickly to moisturize and maintain the health of your feet. Recommended by doctors, PediSof-D contains beneficial ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera, soybean oil, and vitamin E.

Neoteric Diabetic Skin Care Oxygenated Advanced Healing Cream
Neoteric Diabetic Skin Care Oxygenated Advanced Healing Cream works to restore the health of your skin. Because diabetes can cause poor circulation, the skin may be deprived of oxygen, especially in extremities such as the hands and feet. Advanced Healing Cream restores oxygen to the skin through its patented ingredient, TriOxygenic, allowing rapid healing of severely dry and damaged skin. It moisturizes and protects skin at the same time as improving circulation and boosting your body’s production of collagen. Your skin will become more resilient, stronger, and healthier—Advanced Healing Cream is proven to work!

DiabetiDerm Foot Rejuvenating Cream
DiabetiDerm Foot Rejuvenating Cream provides fast relief to severely dry feet. L-Arginine HCL, soybean oil, tea tree oil, oat kernel extract, menthol, and other soothing ingredients combine to penetrate the skin deeply, softening calluses and smoothing away irritations.

DiabetAid Pain and Tingling Relief Lotion
DiabetAid Pain and Tingling Relief Lotion helps moisturize skin and relieve the discomfort of tingling in hands and feet. Five moisturizers act together with an effective topical analgesic to ease pain and nourish skin. developed under the direction of a top endocrinologist, DiabetAid is an affordable, effective foot cream designed especially for people with diabetes.

DiabEase Foot Therapy Cream
DiabEase Foot Therapy Cream comes to you from Masada, makers of high-quality products using antibacterial Dead Sea minerals that soften the skin and boost circulation. Other ingredients include urea for deep moisturizing, tea tree leaf oil for its antiseptic properties, and green tea extract to shield the feet from damage. Soothing oils such as safflower seed, palm kernel, and peppermint enhance DiabEase Foot Therapy Cream’s emollient and healing properties. This vitamin-packed cream also contains wintergreen and menthol to stimulate tired feet, relax tense muscles, and provide an uplifting aroma sure to invigorate you with every use.

Grandma's Apple Crisp

Serves: 6

Nutrition Information Per Serving (1/6 recipe):
calories 228, protein 4 g, carbohydrate 34 g, fat 10 g, cholesterol 15 mg, sodium 4 mg.

Food Exchange: 1 1/2 starch, 2 fat.

Filling:

• 6 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 cup Equal® Spoonful*
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon