11/12/2024
10 Harmful Effects of Diabetes on our Body
1. Eye Diseases
Many people with diabetes develop some or the other form of eye retinopathy. This is the damage caused to the network of blood vessels that supply the retina. It can cause damage to the vision. It is, therefore, essential for diabetes patients to have regular eye screenings. If diagnosed early, it can prevent blindness.
2. Kidney Diseases
Kidneys are organs that are at risk of damage because of diabetes, and this risk is increased due to poor control of diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure. Kidneys can lose their ability to filter waste material from the blood. If you are detected with microalbuminuria or high amounts of proteins in urine, it could be an indicator that kidneys are not functioning correctly.
The diseases related to kidneys are known as diabetic nephropathy. This does not show until later stages. When detected, your doctor suggests measures to prevent kidney failure.
3. Circulatory System
Diabetes increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. This puts a strain on our heart. It faces difficulty in pumping the blood. High blood glucose levels contribute to the formation of fatty deposits in blood vessel walls. This restricts blood flow and increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
4. Central Nervous System
Diabetes can lead to diabetes neuropathy, i.e. damage to the nerves. This can lead to changes in our perception of heat, pain and cold. It also makes a person with diabetes more prone to injury.
5. Affects the Digestive System
Diabetes can cause nerve damage, and this can lead to nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. The medicines that are taken by people with diabetes also lead to a disturbing pattern of digestion. These problems tend to settle down as the body gets used to them.
6. Numbness in Feet
In addition to nerve damage, diabetic people experience issues such as poor circulation of blood in the feet. As a result, the person feels numbness in the lower limbs. This increases the risk of ulcers and certain infections. This problem is also called as diabetic foot.
7. Loss of Hearing
Hearing loss is twice as common in diabetes patients. It is a common fact that we can lose hearing interview with age, but Diabetics can start losing hearing abilities soon in life. This loss is caused due to the damage to inner ear blood vessels, in the same manner as eyes and kidneys. A good way to avoid this condition is keeping a check on your blood glucose levels regularly.
8. Gum Problems
People with diabetes have more chances of developing periodontal disease, an infection of the bone and gum that can lead to a problem in chewing and loss of teeth. The elevated blood sugar levels modify the collagen in our tissues. It is also because there is a slight increase in the susceptibility to infections of all kinds.
9. Skin Infections
Having diabetes increases the risk of all types of skin issues. It can hike up the chances of bacterial infections such as boils and urinary tract infections and certain fungal infections. Yeast infections are particularly the first signs of diabetes in someone who have not been diagnosed with it yet. Skin infections can also be linked to obesity because in between the skin folds, moist places can become the breeding houses for bacteria and fungi. Candida may also develop in these skin folds. Infections can also be caused in genitalia.
10. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSA is a severe sleep disorder in which the throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep. This affects around 50% of people with diabetes. It commonly occurs in those who are obese and have a collar size of more than 16 for women and 17 for men. The most common sign of OSA is audible snoring. This sleep disorder can make it difficult to control diabetes. Treatment of OSA involves using a device to keep your airway open at night or wearing a mouthpiece that thrusts the jaw forward. In cases that are severe, it can be treated through surgery.
