With type 2 diabetes if you don’t work hard to maintain your glucose levels under regulation, there seem to be long and short-term complications to compete with. But even so, you might be able to avoid these issues by keeping an eye on the quantity and variety of calories you consume (your meal scheme), working out, and having taken any prescribed drugs.
Furthermore, maintaining firm control of your glucose levels will help to prevent the difficulties from getting severe, even if you already are one of the long-term, more severe complications debated below when you are first diagnosed. Though since type 2 develops gradually, you might not be aware of having hyperglycemia for a while. Over time, having high blood sugar can seriously harm you.
The pancreas creates the insulin hormone. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells don’t really react to glucose as they should. As a result, your pancreas produces more insulin.
Your blood glucose levels will increase as a result, which can lead to diabetes. High blood sugar levels can result in a number of serious health issues, including:
- kidney illness
- heart condition
- vision loss
Symptoms and signs
The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes appear gradually, occasionally over many years. Because of this, it’s crucial to be aware of the clinical symptoms of diabetes and to request routine blood sugar checks from your doctor.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) lists some of the most typical indications and symptoms of type 2 diabetes as follows:
- getting up multiple times through the night to use the restroom (urinate)
- being thirsty all the time
- constantly feeling hungry between meals
- You can’t see clearly.
- You experience tingling or loss of feeling in your feet or hands.
- constantly being worn out or excessively tired
- your skin is abnormally dry
- It takes a long time for skin sores, cuts, or scrapes to heal.
Skin disorders as complications
Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of fungi and bacteria skin conditions.
One or more of the skin conditions listed below may be brought on by diabetes-related health problems:
- Styes on your upper eyelid,
- itchiness
- rashes,
- blisters, or boils
- inflamed hair follicular
Try to emulate your suggested diabetes treatment regimen and adopt good skin care habits to reduce your risk of developing skin conditions. A daily skin care regimen consists of:
- maintaining your skin moisturized and hygienic
- regularly looking for wounds on your skin
- Schedule a visit with your doctor as soon as you notice any signs of a skin condition. Rashes and other conditions like them can be symptoms of type 2 diabetes and many other illnesses.
loss of vision
Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the likelihood of developing a number of eye diseases.
As per the CDC, trusted sources include:
- melanoma, which results from increased intraocular pressure, cataracts, which happen when the eye’s lens has become cloudy, and retinopathy, which appears when capillaries in the back of the eye are harmed
- These ailments have the potential to impair vision over the period. Luckily, early detection and intervention can help you keep your vision.
- Don’t forget to schedule routine eye exams in addition to adhering to your doctor’s prescribed diabetes medication Make a visit to your eye specialist if you notice any changes in your vision.
Nerve injury
The ADA estimates that about half of diabetics experience nerve damage, a type of nerve injury.
Diabetes can cause several different types of neuropathy to manifest. Your hands and shoulders, as well as your arms and ankles, can be impacted by peripheral neuropathy.
Possible signs include:
- numbness
- tingling
- prickling,
- wounding, or shooting pain
- increased or lowered responsivity to contact or temperature
- weakness
- inability to coordinate
kidney illness
Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can put more stress on your kidneys than usual. This can eventually result in kidney disease. Kidney failure in its early stages typically has no symptoms. However, advanced kidney disease can result in:
- fluid retention inside the body tissues
- decreased appetite and sleep
- stomach ache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating
- The advancement of kidney disease can be slowed down with the aid of specific drugs.
The best management of your high blood pressure and high glucose levels will help to reduce the risk of kidney disease. For routine care, you would then see your doctor. For indications of kidney damage, your doctor can examine your blood and urine.
A heart attack and a stroke
Having type 2 diabetes generally makes you more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. However, if your situation is not appropriately controlled, the risk might even be higher. This is because having high blood sugar can harm your heart.
The following are stroke warning signs:
- Losing balance or coordination,
- loss of sensation or lack of strength on one side of your body
- speech difficulty
- vision changes
- cognitive dissonance
- dizzy spells
- migraine
The following are heart attack warning signs:
- Breathlessness,
- palpitation
- dizziness
- vomiting
Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels under control to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
It is indeed crucial to
- eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet
- engage in regular exercise
- If you start smoking, try to avoid it or stop as soon as you can. If you take pills, take them as directed by your doctor.
Guidance on controlling type 2 diabetes
You can maintain type 2 diabetes by using these suggestions:
- regularly check your lipids, sugar levels, and systolic blood pressure
- consider giving up smoking if you smoke focus on nutrient-dense food products and limit foods high in fat and fructose
- If your physician has advised it, work to maintain a healthy weight, engage in daily exercise, and take your prescription medications as directed.
- to handle your diabetes, develop a health plan with the help of your doctor.
Key message
- Uncontrolled diabetes can have severe health repercussions. Your standard of living could potentially be affected by these complications.
- You can, moreover, manage your diabetes and decrease your risk of health problems by taking certain actions.
- A person’s treatment plan may call for modifying their way of life, such as weight management or getting more active.
- Your doctor can offer suggestions about how to make these adjustments or can refer you to other medical specialists, like a dietician, who can provide more detailed advice.