People who have diabetes face a variety of different health hazards in addition to diabetes itself.
Even more serious conditions, such as those affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and teeth, may be brought on as a result. In addition to this, they have a high chance of becoming infected with the disease. Diabetes is a primary factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and deformities across the entire world.
Diabetes risks can be delayed or completely avoided by keeping blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels at normal levels or close to normal levels. Therefore, in order to avoid difficulties, it is essential to keep a constant check on the amount of sugar in the blood.
What exactly is this diabetes?
Diabetes develops when your body is unable to properly absorb sugar (glucose) into its cells and absorb it as a source of energy. This results in the disease diabetes. It is possible that this will cause an increase in the amount of sugar that is found in your bloodstream.
1. Diseases of the heart
It has an effect on the cardiovascular system, particularly the heart. Therefore, it has the potential to result in life-threatening consequences such as coronary artery disease and stroke.
2. Kidney disease
Diabetes patients have a higher incidence of this condition than individuals who do not have diabetes.
3. Neuropathy
Patients who have high levels of sugar in their blood have an increased likelihood of getting diabetic neuropathy, which is another term for nerve damage. The inability to properly circulate blood throughout the body leads to delayed wound healing. Infections and ulceration are both possibilities. In the absence of prompt treatment, tissue death can develop, which may result in the need for amputation.
4. Gastroparesis
The primary explanation for this phenomenon is that damage to the vagus nerve, which is responsible for sending signals to the digestive tract, might interfere with the capacity of the stomach to empty its contents. Loss of appetite, nausea, heartburn and weight loss are some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
5. Gum infection
Patients suffering from diabetes have a more difficult time recovering from oral infections. Dry mouth is one of the potential adverse effects of diabetic medications, which are taken to control the disease. As a result, the patients face tooth decay and mouth infections on a regular basis.
6. Infections
Patients living with diabetes have a significantly higher threat of contracting infections. They also have to wait much longer for any wound to heal, and the symptoms might become more severe much more quickly than in persons who do not have diabetes. If the infection is not treated, it could result in death or severe consequences.
7. Eye Problems
Diabetic retinopathy is considered to be one of the most severe eye disorders that can be brought on by diabetes. Diabetes causes damage to the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.
The risk of getting retinopathy is affected by a number of different factors, including the following:
- High blood glucose levels
- High blood pressure
- Genetic predisposition
Sometimes damage to the retina arises before any symptoms of the condition show themselves.
8. Pregnancy
If they do not carefully monitor and manage their condition, diabetic women who are pregnant face the danger of a variety of complications, regardless of the type of diabetes they have.
Women who are pregnant and have diabetes, whether type 1, type 2, or gestational, should make every effort to maintain blood glucose levels within their target range during their pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of problems.
They stand the chance of experiencing complications during delivery, trauma to both the mother and the kid, and a precipitous reduction in the child’s blood glucose level following birth. Children who are subjected to high blood glucose levels for an extended period of time while still in the womb have an increased likelihood of getting diabetes in adulthood.
9. Related conditions, like cancer
Patients suffering from diabetes have an increased likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. In addition, certain cancer treatments might influence your diabetes and make it more difficult for you to keep your blood sugar under control.
10. Sexual difficulties
Because damaged blood vessels and nerves reduce the quantity of blood that can flow to your sexual organs, you may experience a loss of some of your sensation. To consult with a Diabetologist through marham.
How do you prevent or delay complications?
Controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids is one of the most important things you can do to lower your chance of developing complications related to diabetes. The following are some of the items that could be included in the prevention:
1. Control your diabetes
It is vitally crucial, just for lowering your risk of complications, to keep your sugar level within the target range that has been established by your healthcare team. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice an increase in the amount of sugar in your blood. If you want to bring down your HbA1c and avoid the risks that come with having high blood sugar, your treatment may need to be adjusted.
2. Leave smoking
If you are a smoker, giving up the habit is one of the most important things you can do to lower your risk of developing difficulties.
3. Make healthier food choices.
If you want to lose weight, bring down your HbA1c, manage your blood pressure, and help to reduce the fats in your blood like cholesterol, making healthier food choices can help you. If you would like additional assistance in eating in a healthy manner, you should consult with a nutritionist.
4. Stay active
You can lessen the likelihood of developing complications associated with diabetes by increasing the amount of exercise you get. Even if you have trouble moving around, there are still opportunities for you to engage in physical activity.
Conclusion
Diabetes type 1 almost always presents with symptoms. Diabetes type 2 and diabetes that develops during pregnancy sometimes don’t show any symptoms. Symptoms can be better managed and reduced in severity if blood sugar levels are effectively controlled.
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of developing diabetes. If you think you might be at risk, you should get your blood sugar checked and then listen to what your Diabetologist doctor has to say about how to control it.
FAQs
1. What are the causes of complications associated with diabetes?
When sugar levels remain elevated in the blood for an extended period of time, this can cause severe damage to the blood vessels. When the blood arteries in your body aren’t functioning properly, blood won’t be able to go to the regions of your body that it needs to.
2. What are some of the consequences of diabetes that occur in the short term?
The following are the diabetes problems that occur most frequently in the short term:
- High blood sugar levels
- Vision problems or excessive weariness
- Urinating frequently or becoming dehydrated
- Dehydration
- Blurred vision
- An increase in either thirst or appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Breathing that is either rapid or deep.
- A smell of something sweet or fruity on your breath
3. How quickly might diabetic complications exhibit themselves?
All of these issues are linked to the effect that high blood glucose levels have on blood vessels, and their development typically takes a significant amount of time, at least ten years in most cases. When blood glucose levels are not properly managed, the body’s small and large blood vessels might suffer damage over time.
