As published in the Star online 12 nov 2013
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/12/Health-World-Diabetes-Day-10-Things.aspx
Diabetes is a chronic and potentially fatal disease which affects your whole
body. Millions of Malaysians have diabetes, and the worrying fact is that a
percentage of affected Malaysians are not even aware that they are diabetic.
Not knowing you have diabetes is a huge risk, because badly controlled
diabetes can lead to numerous scary complications. This article shares the 10
scary things you may not know about this killer-disease.
1. Psychiatric disorders
Diabetics may experience many different emotions such as anxiety, anger and
depression. Patients risk suffering from psychiatric disorders such as delirium,
substance abuse, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. That is why managing your
mental health will therefore lead to better diabetes control.
2. Nerve damage
Uncontrolled diabetes may result in nerve damage. The high blood glucose
damages nerves in the arms, hands, legs and feet. If left untreated, diabetics
could lose all sense of feeling in affected limbs. Patients should watch out for
the loss of feeling in their feet, numbness (pins and needles), tingling and
burning sensations, and muscle weakness. You can better prevent this by
practising good blood glucose control, regular exercise and by quitting smoking.
3. Foot complications
Nerve damage and damage of the blood vessels in the legs and feet of
diabetics cause poor circulation, which leads to patients developing foot
problems. An innocent blister on your foot can become a serious infection if
left untreated. Severe damage may lead to a toe, foot or leg amputation.
4.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is when the muscles of the stomach stop functioning properly.
It is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents,
and it does not involve a blockage or obstruction.
5. Eye complications
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which may lead to
blindness. People with diabetes may also develop eye problems like glaucoma,
cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. If your eyesight is becoming blur, if you
see shadows or floating spots, or if you're having trouble seeing at night, you
should consult your doctor immediately.
6. Kidney disease
High blood glucose levels due to poor control can lead to your kidneys being
overworked, which can lead to kidney disease. Severe cases can lead to kidney
failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, requiring patients to undergo
dialysis or a kidney transplant. Signs of kidney problems can be increasing
amounts of protein in urine; water retention in ankles, abdomen and chest; foul
taste in the mouth; vomiting; and tiredness throughout the day.
7. Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Due to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, a diabetic's heart has to
pump harder than normal and this builds up pressure against the artery walls.
Symptoms of this are frequent headaches, blurring vision and shortness of
breath. To reduce the effects of this complication, you should eat a low-fat and
high-fibre diet, exercise regularly, quit smoking and keep a healthy weight.
8. Heart complications
Diabetes causes an increased narrowing of the arteries and also the hardening
of the arteries which slows down blood flow. Diabetics are at risk of heart
problems such as coronary artery disease (when the blood supply to the heart
muscle is diminished), which is the main cause of heart attacks.
9. Stroke
Diabetics can suffer from strokes when the blood flow to the brain is
blocked. This happens due to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries in the
brain. If one's blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels are
not controlled, the risk of stroke increases significantly.
10. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome
(HHNS)
HHNS is where blood glucose levels shoot up too high and your body tries to
get rid of the excess sugar by passing it through your urine. The symptoms
include high blood sugar levels over 600mg/dl; dry and parched mouth; extreme
thirst; high fever; warm and dry skin; sleepiness or confusion; loss of vision;
hallucinations; dehydration; and weakness on one side of the body.
This potentially life-threatening emergency condition mostly occurs in older
persons with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes which is not controlled properly.
It is often an onset of a serious illness or infection. If HHNS continues, it
can lead to severe dehydration, causing seizures, coma and eventually death.
Other risks of diabetes include skin complications, gum disease, erectile
dysfunction, Alzheimer’s disease, and ketoacidosis.
- The information above was provided by the National Diabetes
Institute, American Diabetes Association and Mayo Clinic.
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