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.