Diabetes is a condition wherein there is too much sugar or glucose in our blood. This is also known as high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. In this article we shall understand the effects of diabetes on the body and organs.
Diabetes is of two different types; Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a health condition when the body makes little to no insulin, and when your body doesn’t produce insulin, your body’s sugar level tends to spike. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is a health condition when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells in our body stop responding to insulin.
Type 1 diabetes is usually seen in children and has no cure. The only treatment available for this type of diabetes is reducing the amount of sugar in the blood through diet and lifestyle. Similarly, type 2 diabetes, too, doesn’t have any cure. The only way to manage this is to lose weight, eat well, and exercise to maintain blood sugar levels. Doctors generally prescribe medicines and insulin therapy, which can help control your blood sugar.
Diabetes doesn’t just impact our blood sugar levels; it impacts our entire body. If an individual has high sugar levels and they don’t take the necessary steps to control the condition, it can damage their organs, which might eventually turn out to be fatal.
How does blood sugar damage organs?
Cardiovascular System: One of the leading causes of early death among people with diabetes is cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes are more likely to have a stroke or die from heart disease. Also, diabetics tend to suffer from other conditions that have an impact on the heart, such as obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are major risk factors for both diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Blood Vessels: When one has high blood sugar, it tends to reduce the elasticity of blood vessels and cause them to narrow, eventually affecting blood flow. When blood flow is reduced, there is also a shortage of blood and oxygen, which then increases the risk of blood pressure. This eventually impacts the blood vessels of our body. When your blood pressure increases, it also increases the risk of heart disease. Also, damage to blood vessels causes diseases like heart attack, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease, among others. It can also damage our eyes, kidneys, and nervous system.
Wounds and Infections: Due to poor blood circulation, our body loses its ability to heal wounds and infections. The poor supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients has an impact on the body’s ability to heal. Diabetics should check their skin regularly for wounds and infections, as healing takes time.
Kidneys and Urinary System: High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels of the kidneys. This affects the kidney’s ability to filter waste, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. Diabetic neuropathy affects nearly one out of three people. People with diabetic neuropathy need dialysis or a kidney transplant, depending on the level of kidney damage.
Nervous System: Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, is a condition caused by diabetes. Nearly 10-20% of diabetics tend to have neuropathy. The longer an individual has diabetes, the higher the risk of suffering from neuropathy. Damage to the nervous system tends to affect different functions of the body, such as digestion. Some of the problems that occur due to neuropathy are pain and numbness in the legs, feet, toes, arms, hands, and fingers. It also tends to affect the hips and upper legs.
Digestive System: When the nervous system is damaged, it can impact the body’s functions, including digestion. Gastroparesis can happen when nerve damage affects the digestive system, and food is unable to move from the stomach into the small intestine. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, abdominal pain, and weight loss in severe cases.
Sexual Health and Fertility: Diabetes can affect the sexual health and fertility in both men and women. Diabetes damages blood vessels, which generally has a negative impact on sexual function and the body’s ability to send and respond to sexual stimuli. Men with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. Women with diabetes tend to suffer from menstrual irregularities such as heavier periods and early menopause. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity, along with diabetes, also tend to cause fertility issues. Diabetes can also lead to pregnancy complications. However, a lot of women generally tend to develop high blood sugar during pregnancy.
Skin: People with diabetes have an increased of developing several skin issues. These might range from mild to severe. There is a high risk of the following conditions: dry skin, dark patches of skin known as acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, bacterial infections such as boils, fungal infections such as thrush or athlete’s foot, itching, diabetic dermopathy, which involves harmless but potentially bothersome roundish, brown, scaly patches and blisters. Certain studies also link type 2 diabetes to psoriasis. One might develop ulcers if the skin infection becomes severe.
Feet: A person with neuropathy loses sensation, which makes it difficult for them to notice small wounds. This, along with poor circulation, can lead to severe health issues. For example, if one has a blister on the foot, it might develop into an infection very quickly due to poor circulation of blood. Severe cases might require amputation too.
Vision: Diabetics have an increased risk of eye problems, some of which can also lead to vision loss. Short-term impacts may include blurred vision, and long-term issues can lead to glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and cataracts. People with high blood sugar levels should get regular eye tests, manage their blood sugar levels, and also quit smoking.
To prevent oneself from above complications, it is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, maintain a healthy blood sugar range and check blood sugar levels regularly.
