Approximately 18 percent of people living with schizophrenia have type 2 diabetes. People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 20 percent shorter than the general population- and they have two to four times a greater risk of developing diabetes than the general population.
Risk Factors for Diabetes
Monitoring weight gain is crucial. The physician should record the body mass index (BMI) of the patient every time they start or change a medication for six months. After six months recording weight should occur quarterly or more frequently if weight accumulates. The patient should learn how to weigh their self and notify their physician if they gain 5 percent of their baseline weight or the number of pounds that correspond to one BMI unit (these figures should be calculated with or for the patient).
Resources
Risk Factors for Diabetes
- Body mass index of >25
- First-degree relative with diabetes
- Habitual physical inactivity
- Being an African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
- Delivering a baby >9lbs., or having had gestational diabetes
- Hypertension, a high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of <35mg/dl>250mg/dL
- A history of an abnormal glucose tolerance or fasting plasma glucose test result
- A history of vascular disease
Monitoring weight gain is crucial. The physician should record the body mass index (BMI) of the patient every time they start or change a medication for six months. After six months recording weight should occur quarterly or more frequently if weight accumulates. The patient should learn how to weigh their self and notify their physician if they gain 5 percent of their baseline weight or the number of pounds that correspond to one BMI unit (these figures should be calculated with or for the patient).
Resources
Comments
Medicatioon for schizophrenia increases the risk of diabetes and obesity it does not mean someone with schizophrenia will automatically become diabetic or obese. People react differently to their medication...Your uncle could be taking his meds and is fortunate to not gain weight or get diabetes.
Satria Sudeki,
I am glad you enjoyed the article and learned something from it.
I checked out your blog and really enjoyed its diversity of subjects.
This was a great post. I have gained 40 pounds being on olanzapine and it seems to have shifted my whole metabolism to where I cannot lose weight. I stay active and eat very little, but I can only stabilize my weight. I can't seem to lose weight, just stop gaining it. It's very frustrating. Thanks for this post.
Ash, I got "tagged" by a fellow blogger and in turn have tagged you. If you don't know what the heck I'm on about, stop on by and participate!
Dano.
I love your enthusiasm, I wish you much success in your recovery!
Best regards,
Ashley Smith