Diabetes is a long-term challenge.

It requires everyday self-management. It affects the body in several forms.

Effective diabetes management is a dynamic process.

The treatment should be tailored depending upon the growing age, the changing habits, and diet.

The medicine that worked earlier may not work now.

It requires a multidisciplinary approach –

• • Understanding diabetes
• • Selecting the accurate doses
• • Taking proper nutrition
• • Regular monitoring
• • Regular exercise
• • Knowledge

What Are the Serious Diabetes Complications?

Chronic uncontrolled diabetes adversely affects the body.

It has a damaging effect on the –

• • kidneys
• • Heart
• • Eyes
• • Nerves
• • Blood vessels

What is the Effect of High Sugar on Kidneys?

High blood glucose damages the kidney cells. It leads to nephropathy.

The uncontrolled sugars impair the filtration capacity of the kidneys.

The kidney is unable to filter the toxins from the blood. The toxins accumulate in the body.

It damages the glomeruli of the kidney. It is unable to filter heavy proteins, causing them to leak into the urine.

It causes blood vessels to stiff and become hard, and increases blood pressure.

It damages the nerves of the bladder. It leads to incomplete emptying of the bladder.

It increases the risk of urine infections.

What Causes Kidney Disease?

It is the decline in kidney function.

The kidney is unable to filter waste, leading to toxin accumulation and fluid buildup in the body.

It is caused by injury to nephrons, nerves, or blood vessels.

The injury can be caused by high BP, high sugar or cysts, or stones.

Long-term progression of kidney disease may lead to chronic kidney disorder and can also cause irreversible damage.

How Did High Sugar Affect the Heart?

Excessive blood glucose damages the blood vessels in the heart. It corrodes the internal lining.

It causes thickening of the blood and plaque buildup, which can lead to blockage.

It reduces blood flow as it causes narrowing of the arteries.

It also increases the risk of other factors that affect the heart – high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and increased weight.

Long duration of excessively high glucose leads to cardiomyopathy –

• • Damages heart muscles.
• • Decreases the heart’s ability to pump blood.
• • Fat accumulation in the heart.
• • Silent heart attacks and heart failures.

What is the Effect of High Sugars on Eyes?

Uncontrolled sugars lead to loss of vision and blindness.

It damages the thin blood vessels that supply blood to the retina and optic nerve. The blood vessels form a bulge. The blood or the fluid leaks into the eye.

The excessive sugar accumulates around the lens, leading to the development of cataract.

It causes the lens to swell and also bulge, causing blurring of vision.

The damage to the optic nerve blocks fluid drainage, leading to glaucoma.

How Excess Sugars Damage Nerves?

Excessive glucose levels severely damage nerves. It leads to neuropathy.

It is a very painful and disabling condition. It can lead to the removal of the dead organ.

• • It reduces blood flow in the organs.
• • It causes oxidative stress.
• • It causes inflammation.
• • It leads to the accumulation of toxins.
• • Pain in legs, arms, and hands.
• • It also damages nerves of the heart, bladder, and the GIT.

How Did High Sugar Affect Blood Vessels?

High sugar damages the internal layer of the blood vessels.

It causes blockade of the vessels. It leads to plaque buildup in the arteries.

It interrupts the blood flow. It leads to heart attacks and strokes.

High sugar causes thickening of the blood. It leads to the formation of clots.

It also causes severe inflammation. It releases inflammatory cytokines in the blood.

It damages small blood capillaries. It causes them to leak and narrow.

It inhibits blood from reaching the tissues and organs.

Other Side Effects Caused by Diabetes

• • It delays the healing of the wounds.
• • It degrades oral health.
• • It increases the risk of infections.
• • It causes sexual dysfunction.

How Did Diabetes Affect Mental Health?

It leads to severe emotional distress. Wearing medical devices on the body causes insecurities.

The long-term complications and medications increase financial burdens.

Conclusion

Active management is the only way out. These serious complications are not inevitable.

These can be avoided and managed through-

• • Regular checkup
• • Effective glucose monitoring
• • Active lifestyle
• • Balanced diet