Bipolar Disorder & Comorbid Type II Diabetes: Ramifications Of Unstable Insulin Levels

Abstract

The human body literally “runs” on glucose. Blood Insulin levels were the primary hormonal players in regulating concentrations of both extra- and intracellular glucose in the maintenance of somatic homeostasis and metabolism. As to the broad actions of glucose, most body systems were involved with this small, polar compound in some way including nutritionally, physiologically, osmotically (osmolarity), and metabolically. Furthermore, acting over all neurological pathways, glucose was the absolute required form of nutrition for nerve cells. It follows that fluctuations of glucose concentrations both inside and outside each cell had a considerable impact on behavior. The symptoms and genetics of Type II Diabetes and Bipolar Disorder were intermingled multidimensionally—congruent with the effects of almost tidal concentrations of glucose. The comorbid relationship of Type II Diabetes and Bipolar Disorder has been studied epidemiologically by researchers and clinicians. The interplay of the comorbid conditions of Bipolar Disorder and Type II Diabetes could be applied to patients in both the diagnostic and therapeutic phases of treatment. It is recommended in this work that all patients that were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder have a complete medical workup to diagnose common conditions—especially the comorbid presence of Type II Diabetes.