A recent study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders has claimed that eating disorders may lead to an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes. According to the research, diabetes is characterized by high concentrations of glucose in an individual’s blood. This excess glucose leads to tissue damage in various parts of the body, including the feet, heart and eyes.
After combining data from several studies, academics at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) noted that people with eating disorders were 2.94 times more prone to diabetic retinopathy compared to people who did not have an eating disorder.
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication that affects the eyes of a diabetic person. This usually causes blindness or loss of vision in people by damaging the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye or retina.
A person suffering from diabetic retinopathy may experience certain symptoms as the condition progresses. These symptoms include spots or dark streaks in the vision, blurred vision, or blank or dark areas of vision. Apart from this, one can also witness fluctuating vision or even complete vision loss.
In the study, researchers considered some eating disorders and linked them to an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. One of the considered conditions is anorexia nervosa. In this condition, people usually try to keep their weight down by limiting their food intake or burning too many calories through exercise. Another condition mentioned in the study is bulimia nervosa, where a person tends to eat large amounts of food in a short period of time and then tries to clear it by vomiting or using laxatives.
According to the study’s lead author Mike Trott, they found a positive association between pathological eating disorders and the risk of diabetic retinopathy. According to the findings, there is poor blood sugar control in people with eating disorders or in people who intentionally do not use insulin to lose weight.
The researchers have suggested that doctors should pay special attention to people with eating disorders. Any abnormal eating behavior in humans must be addressed promptly so that the risk of diabetic retinopathy can be reduced.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and live updates from the parliamentary elections here.
