There are approximately 28 million people living in the United States who suffer from diabetes, but only about 18 million know that they have it. They don’t realize they have diabetes because many of the symptoms mimic other conditions. Many of these symptoms are not viewed as serious.
The thing about diabetes is that there is too much glucose in the blood but it cannot reach the cells and they become starved for this needed fuel.
The effects of diabetes can have life threatening consequences so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. Diabetes affects the body in many ways. If you don’t get diagnosed correctly, this could lead to serious side effects with some of them becoming life threatening.
Weight Loss
If you find that you are losing weight and haven’t changed your eating habits, diabetes may be the culprit. When you suffer from diabetes, you aren’t getting glucose in the cells which cause your body to believe it is starving. It then begins breaking down the muscles for energy resulting in unexplained weight loss.
Increased Urination and Thirst
Because the blood has too much glucose, the kidneys work overtime to get rid of it. A diabetic will have to go to the bathroom more than usual which then leads to extreme thirst.
More Infections
Diabetics take much longer to heal when they are injured. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a minor injury or a major injury.
In fact, some of the smaller injuries such as a small cut or abrasion can lead to a major infection. Some of these infections have resulted in gangrene which have led to amputation of the infected limb.
The excessive glucose in the bloodstream impairs the functioning of white blood cells which help to fight off bacteria and heal wounds. Diabetes also affects blood circulation making it difficult for wounds to get the nutrients needed for healing.
Neuropathy
Diabetes causes nerve damage which results in numbness as well as a stinging pain, similar to the sensation of pins and needles that you feel when your hand goes to sleep. This neuropathy can cause diabetics to be unaware of a cut or abrasion. The injury then can become infected causing the wound to worsen.
Extreme Fatigue
If insulin is not controlled, the body tries to overcompensate. Although there is too much glucose in the blood, it’s not reaching the cells. This makes a person tired all the time and can even cause irritability.
Blurred Vision
A serious side effect from diabetes is vision loss. The high glucose level damages the retina, causing them to bleed or leak fluid. The eye then grows new blood vessels which result in blurred vision. Not treating diabetes can result in eventual blindness.
These are just some of the effects of diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes will eventually affect every organ in your body, increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke. Be sure that you get regular check-ups from your doctor and if you have a history of diabetes in your family, it’s important to get tested regularly for this condition.
Diabetes can be managed with the help from your physician once you are diagnosed. With the help of medication and lifestyle changes, you can successfully get your insulin levels under control and live an almost normal life.