Diabetes and Hepatitis B | Risk Factors, Symptoms and Treatment

Hepatitis B is a serious lung infection that arises if you come in contact with people with infectious blood.  The most common ways of transmitting this disease are through sexual contact, sharing needles, syringes, or from a mother to a baby at birth. It is not well known but both diabetes and Hepatitis B are closely related. 

BeatO Diabetes Educator, Shivangi Singh says, ” Since Hepatitis B spreads due to the infection of the blood and other bodily fluids, people with diabetes also tend to have a higher risk of Hepatitis B. If not treated at the right time and in the right manner, it can even lead to liver cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is permanently impaired.”

Diabetes and Hepatitis B – How Are They Related?

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of Hepatitis B because of their frequent exposure to blood due to regular sugar testing. People with diabetes should be vaccinated with Hepatitis B. It should be given as soon as the person gets diagnosed with diabetes. The following factors lead to the risk of hepatitis B among people with diabetes-

• Lack of proper hygiene while testing your blood sugar level
• Sharing the insulin pen or syringes between diabetic patients
• Not performing the required sterilization for diabetic equipments

Hepatitis B – Symptoms

The symptoms of Hepatitis B usually appear two weeks after you have been infected. They can even take one to four months. They might not be visible in children. The symptoms of hepatitis B include-

• Abdominal Pain
• Fatigue
• Loss of Appetite
• Skin turning yellow in color
• Joint Pains
• Dark Urine

You should always watch out for these symptoms and consult your doctor immediately. If you receive it within 24 hours of being exposed to the virus, it will reduce your chances of developing a skin infection. 

Hepatitis B Vaccine

A Hepatitis B vaccine is given in three to four doses over a period of six months. While there has been no permanent cure for Hepatitis B, a vaccine is given to newborns to prevent its outbreak. The vaccine is also given to adolescents who have not been vaccinated, healthcare workers, people living with a Hepatitis B patient, people with chronic liver disease, anyone having a sexually transmitted disease, etc. 

Read More: Diabetes and Lung Disease- Is Your Immunity At Risk?

Quick Tips To Manage Diabetes

It is possible to manage diabetes with the following steps-

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
  People having diabetes should eat a diet that is rich in fiber. For that, they should consume plenty of fruits and vegetables. Green vegetables are highly recommended for people with diabetes.

• Add lean protein to your diet
  Protein is good for diabetics and non-diabetics alike. A good source of protein is egg whites, beans, skinless chicken, fish, etc.

• Avoid extra salt
  Salt can have an adverse effect on your cholesterol levels. This can worsen your existing diabetic condition. Therefore, it is advised that diabetics should avoid consuming extra salt.

• Regularly monitor your sugar levels
  People having diabetes should monitor their sugar levels on a regular basis. When you know whether your sugar levels are in the high, low, or controlled range, you will be able to make the right changes to your diet and lifestyle.

• Talk to your doctor or health coach
  You should talk to your doctor or health coach on a regular basis. They will give you the right guidance on what lifestyle changes or diet changes you should make in order to manage your diabetic condition.

You need to take all the necessary steps on a daily basis if you want to manage diabetes. It is a chronic condition that can be managed and not cured, therefore you need to be extra careful if you want to avoid the complications. 

Keep monitoring your sugar levels with BeatO.

Author – Sakshi Poptani