‘A dual-edged sword’: New research shows link between COVID-19, diabetes

New research shows a troubling link between COVID-19 and diabetes.

AdventHealth warned doctors to be on the lookout for cases of patients dealing with the coronavirus having major blood sugar problems.

Dr. Aftab Khan said he’s seen several patients as young as 40 who developed pneumonia from COVID-19 then ended up with Type One diabetes.

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“Research has shown that 14% of the patient who develop severe COVID infection had new onset of diabetes,” he said.

Khan said the coronavirus attacks pancreatic beta cells.

“It is a dual-edged sword,” Khan said. “The people who had diabetes, they ended up with severe infection. And people who did not have diabetes, they ended up having diabetes after the severe COVID infection.”

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Khan said anyone who was hospitalized with COVID-19 should get a full lab work-up and check for diabetes.

Signs of diabetes include excessive urination, excessive thirst, blurry vision or abdominal pain.

If that describes what you’re experiencing, call your doctor immediately.

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Khan warns the rising number of cases of new onset diabetes from COVID-19 will likely lead to higher health care and insulin costs.

Cox Media Group