7 Ways Diabetes Affects the Body !

 

What is Diabetes?

 

Our body is made up of energy that partly comes from food and when you have Diabetes, and there is so much ways diabetes affects the body , the way your takes that food is affected . 

What usually goes on when you don’t have Diabetes?

• Sugar is broken and digested into a stage called glucose.
• Your glucose is circulated in the blood.
• Once it enters your cells the blood is then waiting so it can be used for fuel.
• Insulin moves into your cells.
• Healthy and normal pancreas levels the insulin and breaks it down the right way.

 

 

When you have Diabetes, your blood does not break down the right way, causing your blood sugar to become very high and sometimes so high that you can land in the hospital if not given proper treatment.

The type of medications given to treat Diabetes varies depending on how severe or mild your case is.

what are the 7 ways Diabetes Affects the Body

 

Generally, people who have diabetes see a significant reduction in their life expectancy.

In fact, people who have type 2 diabetes are expected to have a lifespan that is approximately 7.5 years less than a healthy person who has not been diagnosed with such a disease.

The long-term effects of diabetes include damage to the heart which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease or other heart-related problems, eye problems, circulation problems, infections and nerve damage.

In addition to these risks, many other complications can arise as a result of abnormal blood sugar levels within the body.

• Heart Problems

 

The effects of diabetes on the heart are often the leading cause of death for diabetes sufferers.

Cardiovascular complications including cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, blocked arteries and circulation problems can all result from abnormal blood sugar levels, especially when the levels remain inconsistent over a prolonged period of time.

• Infections

 

A lack of circulation and blood flow throughout the limbs, especially in the hands and feet, can lead to an infection that does not easily go away.

People who suffer from diabetes often require the amputation of limbs as a result of an infection that cannot be cured with antibiotics or other methods of treatment.

Gangrene is a very common in diabetics as well as various fungal infection complications which can cause skin problems or may lead to infection in other areas of the body.

• Eye Problems

 

Many of the long-term effects of diabetes affect the vision and the ability for the diabetic to see clearly.

Eye problems are very common as conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma set in.

Other complications with the eyes such as retinal detachment or retinopathy can lead to sight loss which makes living with diabetes even more difficult for the individual.

• Kidney Disease

 

Diabetics suffer many complications with their kidneys as a result of the abnormal blood sugar levels which place great strain on the liver, kidneys and other organs within the body.

Kidney disease, known as diabetic nephropathy, can lead to a need for dialysis if the kidneys begin to shut down or are unable to keep up with the cleansing of the body.

Prolonged dialysis can lead to additional complications as well as an increased risk of infection, especially in diabetics.

• Neuropathy

 

Having too much sugar in the cells can injure the walls of the capillaries which can lead to nerve damage.

Also called neuropathy, nerve damage can cause tingling, burning or a feeling of numbness in the hands or feet.

This numbness or burning sensation can grow or extend upwards to other areas of the body as more of the nerves become damaged from the elevated sugar levels.

• Nervous System (Diabetic Neuropathy)

 

Diabetic Neuropathy is a condition where a patient is exposed to prolonged high levels of blood sugar.

Diabetics usually have high levels of blood sugar and diabetic neuropathy is a possible consequence of this disorder.

Diabetes patients are advised by their doctors to manage their diets.

They are asked to have well-balanced food intake. In most cases, they are also required to take insulin to help balance their blood sugar.

These patients are also advised to have regular exercising activity.

Diabetic neuropathy affects the nervous system of the patient.

There are four types of diabetic neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy affects the function of the extremities like the hands and feet. In most cases, the feet are affected.

Autonomic neuropathy affects the automatic processes that the brain controls.

This type generally affects the stomach’s functions. Proximal-type is the one that affects the lower parts of the body like the hips and legs.

Focal neuropathy is a condition that affects a bulk of nerves in a part or parts of the body.

Focal neuropathy is characterized by sudden and extreme pain in a part of the body.

The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral, which results in the loss of sensation in the feet.

In rare cases, it affects the hands. In the early signs of this condition, a patient may feel a tingling sensation or partial numbness.

As the condition progresses, it damages more nerves in that area. If left untreated, amputation of the affected part may be necessary.

Immediate treatment is necessary when suffering from diabetic neuropathy.

There is a great risk of infection, gangrene, and worse, amputation, if it is left alone. Treating this condition may be quite difficult.

Since this affects certain parts of the body, it must be immediately treated once any symptoms are felt.

The main objective of treatment is to prevent further damage to the nerves.

Creams are usually prescribed to patients to be administered to the affected area. Acupuncture is sometimes also used as treatment.

• Feet

 

The presence of heavy levels of sugar in the body is known as Diabetes.

It is a health condition that might have its effect on various body parts with feet being the most affected.

This is the reason why diabetics are recommended to take additional care of their feet, to avoid any problems.

Diabetes has multiple ill effects on your feet.

The most common cases have been those where it impacts nerves in the feet.

Doctors have termed this condition as Marginal Neuropathy.

As the nerves in feet become damaged, it becomes way more difficult to see any problem of feet.

Your brain simply doesn’t get sufficient signals to ring the panic bells.

Further on, diabetes hampers the circulation of blood in the body.

Since the blood circulation isn’t ordinary, injuries or any kind of injury in the feet takes longer to heal.

People suffering from diabetes are more subject to feet infections because the resistance of their body to battle infections is reduced significantly.

This is perhaps why you may find several diabetics suffering from foot ulcers.

Since diabetes could do lots of unwell to your feet, it becomes important for you to take care of your feet.

So, here are some fast tips that could help you take care of your feet better.

First and most important, you must maintain proper hygiene.

Keep your feet clean at every point ,Wash your feet with halfhearted water and a good antibacterial body wash or soap ,Dry out your feet exactly listening to your toes.

Make sure that there is not any moisture left out there.

The presence of moisture in between the toes can lead to the development of fungal infection.

Using talcum powder to dry out your feet completely.

Check your feet on a consistent basis.

Mark a little time before you go to sleep as the time to look at your feet.

Test your feet thoroughly for any ulcers, cuts, sores or bruises.

Visit your health practitioner the next morning if you find so much of a touch of any of these.

Choosing the best shoes is also critical for diabetics.

If you are wearing poorly fitted shoes, then you could end up hurting your feet.

So, make sure that you check the fit of the shoe before you purchase it.

Also, make note that your shoes allow your feet to breathe.

Shoes that trap moisture may be an important source of infection.

Females should try to the maximum possible.

Next, you have to cut your nails at regular intervals so that no dust may get an abode there.

Cut your nails and file their corners. Also, remove all the dirt that might be present in the cuticles. So, if you are suffering from diabetes, do take extra care of your feet.

Conclusion

The long term effects of diabetes do not only cause problems with the arms, legs, feet and hands though.

Additional damage to the nerves in the digestive system such as the stomach, bowels, intestines and other areas can make eating or drinking problematic as diarrhea and constipation become more prevalent.

This same nerve damage is also responsible for erectile dysfunction in men who suffer from diabetes.

Ways Diabetes Affects Body