Johnny Cash & Diabetes

In the lead up to his death on September 12, 2003, it wasn't a drug overdose that ended his life, but complications from diabetes.

In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with a rare nerve disease called Shy-Drager syndrome, that has no known cause and no effective treatment. However, this was most likely an incorrect diagnosis because in his early fifties, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that routinely damages nerves. His diabetes was out of control and his diet, excess weight, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol, drugs and almost everything else he did made it worse.

His manager, Lou Robin, confirmed the cause of death in a statement issued by Baptist Hospital in Nashville. "Johnny died due to complications from diabetes, which resulted in respiratory failure," Lou Robin stated.

Only a week before his death the musician had a two-week stay at hospital due to pancreatitis.

Diabetes Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms of diabetes:

• Feeling very thirsty
• Peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
• Feeling very tired
• Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
• Blurred vision
• High blood sugar levels can seriously damage parts of your body

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to major complications such as eye problems, foot issues, heart attack and stroke, as well as kidney trouble. 

High blood sugar levels are irritating for the blood vessels. If your blood vessels aren’t working properly, blood can’t travel to the parts of your body it needs to, meaning your nerves won’t work properly either and you’ll lose feeling in parts of your body.

Key components of good blood sugar control include not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising frequently.