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Pancreas can be susceptible to COVID-19 infection

Diabetes patients found to be at potential risk from coronavirus.

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The correlation between the severity of coronavirus for individuals with diabetes unveiled.
The correlation between the severity of coronavirus for individuals with diabetes unveiled.

Pancreas can be susceptible to COVID-19 infection

Warning: This content discusses sensitive and potentially distressing topics. Proceed with caution.

The Coronavirus and Diabetes: An Unexpected Connection

It seems the coronavirus isn't just a threat to our respiratory system—it's also wreaking havoc on the pancreas, particularly for those with diabetes. According to Medportal's reports, individuals with both types 1 and 2 diabetes face a significantly higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19. For type 1 diabetes patients, the peril is 3.5 times greater, and for type 2 diabetes patients, it's twice as high compared to non-diabetics.

Researchers suspect the virus causes these grave outcomes by directly attacking the pancreas, much like it does the lungs. A team of scientists from Stanford University's Medical School delved into this problem by studying tissue samples from the pancreas of nine deceased COVID-19 victims. They discovered viral particles within beta cells, the insulin-producing powerhouses of the pancreas.

To bolster their findings, the team infected tissue samples from 18 non-COVID deceased patients with SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory setting. The results were startling—SARS-CoV-2 was found to reduce insulin production and secretion in the pancreas, causing beta cells to undergo apoptosis or cell death.

Scientists explain that, if this damage to beta cells worsens diabetes symptoms, especially type 1 diabetes, where insulin production is already precarious. While more research is needed to confirm this theory, it's crucial to understand the virus's impact on the pancreas and insulin production.

The Pancreas and Insulin Production

SARS-CoV-2 affects the pancreas and insulin production through several complex mechanisms. These include:

  1. Direct damage to pancreatic beta cells: The virus can infect and destroy these cells, resulting in insulin deficiency.
  2. Immune-mediated beta cell attack: The immune system may incorrectly target beta cells due to viral antigens, leading to further destruction.
  3. Inflammation and cytokine storm: The body's inflammatory response can impede pancreatic function and insulin secretion.
  4. Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) disruption: SARS-CoV-2's binding to ACE2 receptors causes systemic damage and indirectly impacts glucose metabolism and pancreatic function.

Implications for People with Diabetes

Individuals with pre-existing diabetes may experience exacerbated hyperglycemia and metabolic dysregulation due to the virus's impact on beta cells and insulin secretion. In severe cases, COVID-19 might even trigger new-onset diabetes or accelerate the autoimmune process in type 1 diabetes patients.

Given these findings, it's crucial for those with diabetes to take extra precautions to minimize their risk of infection and complications from the coronavirus. Regular testing, maintaining good blood sugar control, and following public health guidelines are essential steps to ensure the best possible outcomes.

  1. Unforeseen dangers of the coronavirus extend to the pancreas and those with medical-conditions like diabetes, as studies suggest a link between the virus and chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes.
  2. A team of scientists at Stanford University's Medical School has uncovered evidence that the coronavirus may target the pancreas, potentially leading to health-and-wellness concerns such as reduced insulin production.
  3. The research underscores the importance of fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, mental-health, and CBD in individuals with diabetes as they may help bolster their immune systems and mitigate the risk of severe complications associated with COVID-19.
  4. SARS-CoV-2 wreaks havoc on the pancreas through various means, including direct damage to pancreatic beta cells, immune-mediated attacks, inflammation, cytokine storms, and disruptions of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS), exacerbating symptoms in people with chronic diseases like diabetes.
  5. Individuals with diabetes must prioritize wellness practices like regular testing, maintaining good blood sugar control, and adhering to public health guidelines to avoid potential challenges related to COVID-19, such as increased hyperglycemia or even the onset of new medical-conditions.

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