Effects of Uncontrolled Diabetes: Health Issues and Diseases

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which blood sugar or blood glucose levels are elevated. High levels of blood sugar can be extremely threatening to the body, especially if not managed swiftly. When left unchecked, diabetes can increase the risk of vision loss, nerve damage, and life threatening complications, including heart disease and kidney disease. To safeguard against the risk of such complications, it is important to understand how diabetes affects different organs in the body.

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Heart And Circulatory System?

Cardiovascular diseases are frequently associated with uncontrolled or poorly managed diabetes. A person with unchecked diabetes is at a very high risk of suffering heart failure and strokes. The entire circulatory system gets affected due to diabetes. Diabetes may lead to high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol leading to many other metabolic diseases. Reduced blood supply may also lead to problems in the feet including loss of sensation, delayed wound healing, foot ulcers and infections.

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Kidney?

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Changes in the blood vessels that occur due to diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys. High cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are also responsible for kidney damage.

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Eyes?

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that might develop due to diabetes. In this condition, the blood vessels in the retina are damaged, eventually leading to blindness. Uncontrolled diabetes may also lead to glaucoma and cataract. It may also cause many other eye problems and impair vision. 

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Skin?

The skin may become dry and cracked as a result of diabetes. As wound healing is delayed in diabetes, there is a high risk of sores being infected. Diabetics are also at a higher risk of fungal, viral, or bacterial infections in the skin.

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Digestive System?

The decline in insulin production can also have indirect or cascading effects. The body may react by producing certain chemical toxins that can lead to the development of many chronic diseases. One such disease is diabetic ketoacidosis, which may also become life-threatening if not controlled in time. Another disease that may develop due to uncontrolled diabetes is diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). This disease may lead to an extreme stage of dehydration and unconsciousness. A person with diabetes may also suffer from gastroparesis. Diabetes may cause many serious health issues in the digestive system if left uncontrolled.

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Nervous System?

Uncontrolled diabetes severely affects the nervous system. Neuropathy or nerve damage, generally caused by high levels of blood sugar can affect both the sensory and motor nerves of the body. People with diabetes are at a high risk of developing Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy – a type of nerve damage that affects the hands and feet primarily, causing loss of sensation, numbness, and pain. Another disease that might develop due to diabetes is Autonomic Neuropathy. In this condition, diabetes damages the nerves that control our internal organs such as the digestive system. People with diabetes might also suffer from Diabetic Amyotrophy that affects the legs, causing pain and muscle loss.

What Are The Effects Of Diabetes On The Reproductive System?

Gestational diabetes affects the reproductive system of the body and is more harmful to the baby than it is to the mother. Although gestational diabetes generally goes away after pregnancy, it may lead to frequent infections in the vagina and bladder. People with gestational diabetes are more prone to getting type 2 diabetes in later stages of life.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Diabetes?

A healthy diet and lifestyle, along with adequate physical exercise, is extremely important to prevent diabetes. Additionally, awareness of risk factors and symptoms of diabetes can help with early detection and screening, which may help prevent the condition from developing. 

References Links:

1. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/how-does-diabetes-affect-the-body.html
2. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/diabetes-long-term-effects
3. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/risks-complications-uncontrolled-diabetes
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/effects-on-body#Reproductive-system
5. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/story/the-invisible-damage-diabetes-does-to-your-body