Asthma and Diabetes Don't Mix

According to the study, nearly 11 percent of almost 2,000 children and young adults under age 21 with diabetes also had asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 percent of children and young adults in the country have asthma.

What the study also found was that children who suffered the double whammy of both diabetes and asthma had a tougher time controlling their blood sugar levels than the children who had only diabetes, 15.5 percent to 9 percent.

Susan McQuade, respiratory therapist at Hendrick Medical Center stated that, children who have both diseases have more things to remember to do or not do and to monitor, no easy tasks for children or their parents.

McQuade said, however, she's not sure exactly how the two conditions, along with obesity, are linked. "Both diabetes and asthma are inflammatory, but for a long time we didn't think they were related," she said. "Even though this study shows a link, there still needs to be further research."

In fact, the relationship between asthma, diabetes and obesity is complicated and it isn't known if obesity causes asthma or vice versa.

"If you have a child with asthma and he's being treated, especially with an inhalant, that has a tendency to put on weight," she said. "Then, they may not exercise because they're afraid of an asthma attack. You kind of have a cycle."

McQuade said it was undeniable that there has been an increase in both asthma and diabetes, but that the diabetes tends to get greater emphasis. She said when children have both diseases, there may be a temptation by parents to treat the diabetes, particularly if the asthma treatment is wreaking havoc with the blood glucose levels. However, she said both conditions need to be treated. "Any child with an asthmatic condition has the potential to be in a life-threatening situation," McQuade said. "It's important for parents and the child to find out what they can about medicines they're taking."

The wild card in all of this is obesity as researchers try to figure out if poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle increase the child's chances of developing the two diseases or if the obesity is a result.

Pediatrics, Nov. 2011