Diabetes is a condition in which your body can not absorb blood glucose. For the absorption of glucose in your blood, your body secretes a hormone called insulin. But in diabetes, either your pancreas does not secrete insulin or receptors become insensitive to its action. Therefore your blood sugar levels may remain high. To normalize blood sugar levels, your healthcare providers prescribe insulin and medications.
If you do not take the medications and insulin on time or take in a low dose, your blood sugar levels may remain high- a condition called hyperglycemia. It can be dangerous for your health in the short term, as well as in the long term.
Blood sugar levels, if remain too high for a long period, can result in complications. Therefore you must monitor your blood sugar levels and keep them under control. If your blood glucose level remains high and does not get controlled with insulin and medications, you may need to get an increment in insulin dose or medications.
You must visit your healthcare provider frequently if you have diabetes. For regular screening and monitoring for diabetes, you can consult with the Best Internal Medicine Specialist in Karachi.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
The symptoms of diabetes are:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling too hungry
- Ketone present in urine
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Sores and wounds heal slowly
- Getting infections frequently vaginal, gum or skin infections
What are the Complications of Diabetes?
To prevent the complications of diabetes, you need to keep your blood sugar levels well controlled. The more they remain under control, the more the chances of diabetes-associated complications lower down. But if your blood sugar levels remain high and uncontrolled, it can lead to complications. Keep reading to know about diabetes-associated complications.
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as angina, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis. Therefore if you have diabetes, you must take extra care of your heart health.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy or nerve damage occurs because the high blood glucose levels can injure your tiny capillaries that supply blood to your extremities. It can eventually cause numbness, tingling, and burning sensation.
Neuropathy, if left untreated, can result in total loss of sensation. If nerve damage of the digestive system occurs, it can lead to the symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and problems in food digestion. In men, neuropathy can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Nephropathy
Nephropathy or kidney damage can occur because high blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels of the glomeruli, eventually causing kidney damage. If you have diabetes, your healthcare providers will monitor your kidney functions frequently.
Diabetes-associated kidney damage can even lead to end-stage renal disease, when you may need to get dialysis done or a kidney transplant. Therefore you need to take extra care of your kidney’s health if you are diabetic.
Retinopathy
Retinopathy or eye damage can also occur due to prolonged uncontrolled blood sugar levels. It can damage the blood vessels supplying blood to the retina, eventually leading to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other eye conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Foot Damage
Neuropathies can lead to loss of sensations in the foot. Due to it, you do not get to know about the cuts and blisters on your foot, which often do not heal properly. Sometimes it may progress so much that you may even need to get a leg, foot, or toe amputation done.
Conclusion
Diabetes needs to be managed well. The more you keep your blood sugar levels under optimal levels, the more you can prevent yourself from its complications. Therefore you should try your best to keep your blood glucose levels well under control. Visit your healthcare provider frequently. To get an expert opinion, you can visit the Internal Medicine specialist in Lahore.
