Impact Of Diabetes On The Body

Diabetes is a common disorder that affects the glands of the endocrine system. It is caused when the pancreas produce less insulin. The body uses this insulin produced by the pancreas to absorb glucose into cells, if the insulin is less it leads to abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood and urine. This causes problems and defects various parts of the body. Many organs in our body get damaged by diabetes. Most of the people suffering from different types of diabetes lead a healthy life by taking correct diet, regular exercise, and taking correct dose of insulin as directed by their doctor. On the other hand, there is risk of serious complications if the blood sugar level is not in control.

Types of diabetes and it's effects

 

Coronary heart disease, stroke, nerve problem, eye problem, and kidney problem are the main impact that arises if diabetes is not in control. Coronary heart disease develops due to many reasons and diabetes or high sugar in the blood is one of the reasons. Diabetes may cause harmful changes in the structure and function of the heart. People having type2 diabetes, which means insulin resistance have higher level of substances in the blood, which causes blood clot and blocks the coronary arteries. In this case people have heart attacks and in some cases even death. If a person has high blood pressure along with diabetes, there is more risk of coronary heart disease. People having type2 diabetes have a higher risk of having cholesterol, triglyceride, and high blood pressure. All these things are dangerous for health and causes cardiovascular disease.                                                                                                         

 People having high blood sugar for long period or for many years have nerve problems. It damages the blood vessels that bring blood to some nerves. This damages the nerves for which there is numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand, feet, arms, and leg. When nerves are affected due to diabetes it is known as diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic eye disease grows slowly. People having diabetes have higher chances of getting cataract, glaucoma, and retinopathy. People having diabetes have more chance of getting glaucoma. Neovascular glaucoma is a rare type of glaucoma, which is found more in diabetic patients. Retinopathy is also found in people having diabetes. Diabetes retinopathy is the disease, which damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina and is one of the most common diabetic eye diseases. It is advisable to keep your blood sugar in control and get your eyes checked by an eye specialist.

Diabetes affects the kidney also. Diabetic kidney disease is also known as diabetic nephropathy. In this case the cells and blood vessels in the kidney are damaged for this reason the kidney is unable to filter out the waste. Instead of the waste being excreted it accumulates in the blood, this may lead to kidney failure. Diabetic kidney diseases occur silently and slowly, for this reason people suffering from diabetes are not able to know the condition of their kidney. It is better to be careful and check your blood and urine regularly, those who are suffering from diabetes.

Diabetes affects our digestive system also. Gastro paresis is a disorder due to the nerve damage the stomach takes a longer time to empty itself. There is heart burn, nausea, and vomiting of undigested food. Weight loss and lack of appetite is also there. The people having type1 and type2 diabetes are more prone to gastro paresis.

Peripheral neuropathy causes tingling, pain, or loss of feeling in leg or feet. In some cases, due to diabetes, amputation of legs and feet is required. Nerves gets damaged in long term diabetic patients and the pain is not felt even if there a wound or sore in legs or feet. If these problems are not noticed and left without treated it becomes infected and leads for amputation.

Diabetes has an effect on our skin also. People having type2 diabetes have scleroderma diabeticorum. It causes thickening of skin on the back of the neck. Vitiligo is another skin problem caused by type1 diabetes. Long term type2 diabetic patients have a reduced blood flow to the skin. Less blood circulation leads to changes in the collagen of the skin in which the texture or the surface quality of the skin gets damaged. Diabetic dermopathy appears as a shiny round or oval lesion of thin skin in the lower front part of the leg. It is itchy and sometimes has a burning sensation.