Penny Marshall Died from Complications from Diabetes - Article Health

Actor and director Penny Marshall passed away yesterday at the age of 75. According to a statement from Marshall’s family, her death was caused by complications from diabetes.

Marshall spoke about other health problems over the years—including lung and brain cancer diagnoses in 2009—but not about diabetes. It’s unclear how long she lived with the condition, or whether she had type 1 or type 2.

Too-high blood sugar
When diabetes is well managed, patients can live long and healthy lives. But one of the biggest threats to people who have this condition is uncontrolled blood glucose levels. If glucose levels get too high, for example, it can lead to sudden death.

Damaged organs over time
Another way diabetes can lead to death is by damage done to organs and tissues in the body over a long period of time. “For example, the blood vessels in the kidneys can be damaged by high blood sugar,” says Dr. Mcclain—a complication that can lead to kidney failure and require dialysis.

An increased risk of heart and vascular problems
About two-thirds of people with diabetes actually die from cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks or strokes, says Dr. Mcclain. That’s because diabetes can occur alongside other conditions like obesity, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, and the combination of these diseases can make each of them more dangerous. People with diabetes are also more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Too-low blood sugar
Overtreatment of diabetes is also a concern, says Dr. Mcclain. “If you take too much insulin and your blood sugar goes way down, that can cause seizure, coma, and death,” he says. Low blood sugar can literally starve the brain of oxygen, he adds, and it can also trigger dangerous heart arrhythmias.

Doctors are seeing fewer complications, but more diabetes cases overall
Dr. Mcclain says that doctors are getting better at treating diabetes—and at preventing complications so patients can live longer, healthier lives. “Just yesterday I had several diabetes patients in their 80s who are doing quite well,” he says. “It’s not easy, and it’s a lot of work on the part of the patient, but we have good tools that are getting better all the time, and we can do this.”


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