Marijuana proves deadly for diabetics
Survey of 450 diabetics: marijuana use doubles the risk of fatal ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Survey of 450 diabetics: marijuana use doubles the risk of fatal ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes.
People with type 1 diabetes face life-threatening complications more often when using cannabis. A survey was conducted among 450 diabetics, 30% of whom used the plant-based drug.
Compared with those who did not use cannabis, the others suffered roughly twice as often from a complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis. This complication develops when blood sugar remains elevated for too long and the body produces high levels of ketones. If left untreated, it can lead to dehydration, brain swelling, coma, and death.
As part of the study, the scientists collected blood samples from volunteers to measure glycated hemoglobin (A1c), which reflects average blood sugar over about three months. People with type 1 diabetes are generally advised to keep A1c below 6.5%. Among cannabis users, the average level was 8.4%, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and death. By comparison, those who did not use the drug had levels of 7.6%.
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