So, you’ve come across the term autism, perhaps more than once now, and you wonder how it links to something previously believed to be unrelated; diabetes? Understandably, drawing a relationship between these two conditions may be somewhat complex at first thought. However, deep diving into a wealth of interconnecting scientific studies certainly paints a clearer picture. On average, between one to 2% of the global population is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), and in parallel, worldwide incidence of Diabetes Mellitus has soared – affecting approximately 422 million individuals globally (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). Some believe there’s more than just circumstantial overlap.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: In A Nutshell
Before lingering into the association with diabetes, let’s first recognise the complex entity of Autism itself. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) embodies a myriad of neurodevelopmental conditions impacting the individual’s sociocognitive functioning, more so apparent in their social interactions and communication.
These unique individuals exhibit behaviors deemed somewhat repetitive or restrictive with distinct patterns that waver significantly from the social norm. Contrary to some stereotypical beliefs, no two ASD individuals share identical experiences as the spectrum provides a broad range from severe to milder presentations.
Diabetes Mellitus: A Disruption in Glucose Homeostasis
Switching focus, diabetes is primarily a metabolic disorder revolving around the body’s ability (or inability) to maintain optimal glucose levels. In supposedly ‘healthy conditions’, the body orchestrates an intricate dance between glucose and its key player, the hormone insulin. Produced by the pancreas, insulin’s job is crucial in upkeep of blood glucose, serving as an ‘escort’ to guide glucose out of circulation into body cells.
However, people with diabetes contend a strike in this harmonious balance. Either insulin production falters in type 1 diabetes due to an autoimmune pancreatic attack, or body cells defiantly resist contributing to high blood glucose or ‘hyperglycemia’ marking the signature of type 2 diabetes.
Unwrapping the Connection: Diabetes, Autism or Both?
Harnessing the knowledge of these two sensations separately, let’s aver circumstances when they coexist. Numerous studies hint towards the possible correlation between these conditions yet the reasons are still shrouded in multilayered ambivalence. Macrosomia, lipotoxicity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and maternal diabetes are few potential connection points that bring nephrologists and psychiatrists to the same table.
Understanding Oxidative Stress and How it Bridges These Diagnoses
Oxidative stress relates to an incursion triggered by an imbalance between free radical production and your body’s ability to stalemate or neutralify these harmful substances. At their worst, these free radicals wield potential to inflict catastrophic damage to DNA sources along with fatty tissue and proteins in your body. This scenario has the potential to be a common driving point between these illnesses mechanicistically, more particularly between type 2 diabetes and ASD, according to studies like El-Ansary and Al-Ayadhi (2014).
Tackling Lipotoxicity and Macrosomia: From the Womb and Beyond :
‘Macrosomia’ implies a baby that’s substantially larger than the typical newborn weight range. Intriguingly, it’s highly likely in women primary diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy. Apart from posing birthing risks, these infants lay vulnerable to a higher ASD risk, Xiang et al (2015) studies reported. This could possibly link to mothers’ hyperglycemic fetus environment triggering overstimulation of progeny fat cells orbiting in a term called ‘lipotoxicity’. Said lipotoxicity could pertain a risky liaison to establish probably facets that ascertain why ASD likelihood heightens with maternal diabetes.
Does The Truth Lie within Metabolic Maze?
Overall, studies sampled herein intimate a likely entanglement between autism and diabetes, most particularly through indirect globose metabolic changes. Nevertheless, like many bricks required to construct a wall, each piece of evidence forms but a portion of an extensive discourse until more enlightenment illuminates the way. Progressively, concerted investigative efforts to untangle the highly tangled links between these two intriguingly comorbid diagnoses employ superiorly designed, large-sampled, multi-centered studies clinging on the preventive steps enhancing quality lives, And you, can surely play partfuelexpenses mustering autism management and preventive diabetes world-crusading endeavors each day!
Managing After The Diagnosis
Dealing with an autism diagnosis, a diabetes diagnosis, or the double whammy combination isn’t to be understated and its complexity shouldn’t be either. Equip yourself with expert-navigated guidance while tapping into the expanse community of mutual individuals bound on transformations that empathize, console, educate, and overwhelmingly support. Miracle remains rather invisible; sometimes, it exclusively conceals beyond perseverance; you own the driver’s permit; pace on!
References
El-Ansary & Al-Ayadhi (February 7, 2014). GCMS measurement confirms autism as a mitochondrial disease. Autismotate the user, consofact to bodyber Drising detunnerable pubes.
Xiang, Wang, et al (April 14, 2015). Maternal Type 1 Diabetes and Risk of Autism in Offspring. JAMA.
