Diabetes is an autoimmune disease, whereby the body’s own immune system begins destroying the insulin cells produced by the pancreas. Usually, the immune system fights off various infections, viruses and bacteria, but in this case it tends to attack various cells in the body, resulting in a total deficiency of the insulin hormone. The health implications of diabetes can be extremely severe ranging from heart disease, kidney damage, to nerve damage. If diabetes is not properly diagnosed, treated or controlled, it can lead to amputations, blindness and potentially even death. It is a known fact that diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with the help of administering insulin, medication or diet alone.
The side effects of diabetes are one of the biggest health implications the disease holds. If the disease is not caught in time and sufficient measures are not taken to control it if not cure it, then the disease can be progressive in nature, and its side effects can have quite the adverse impact on various aspects of the afflicted individuals life. The most common effects of diabetes can be categorized as the following:
Diabetic Neuropathy
One of the biggest side effects of diabetes is ‘diabetic neuropathy’, caused due to the high levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes can cause blood vessel damage which caters to the nerves, or it can directly damage the nerves, leading to gradual loss of sensation initially in the hands and feet, which may end up extending to the limbs as well.
Loss Of Vision
Another extremely adverse effect of diabetes implicated on afflicted individuals is that of potential loss of vision. Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels that are present in the highly sensitive retina in the back region. If the disease is left untreated it can lead to loss of vision and blindness, and hence, it is highly advised that individuals who are diabetic patients get their eyes checked thoroughly on a half yearly basis.
Kidney Damage
When diabetes strikes an individual, the damage to the blood vessels caused can extend up to those present in the kidneys as well. This damage can render the kidneys unable to perform its essential functions of disposing waste products and excess water from the body. The symptoms of kidney damage in particular include vomiting, breathlessness and drowsiness. This is one of the major side effects of diabetes, and if not checked in time can lead to great damage for the kidneys to bear.
Hypoglycemia
Another important side effect and health implication to consider pertaining to diabetes is of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition whereby the sugar levels fall to abnormally low levels. The gradual build-up of glucose lowering drugs along with the insulin intake is what causes for the sugar levels in the body to fall down to an all-time low. Furthermore, pregnant women who are sufferers of diabetes can potentially give birth to a baby who is hypoglycemic. Hence, it is very important that diabetes is checked in time in order to avoid any future complications that are only progressive in nature.
Urinary Tract Infections
People with uncontrollable diabetes are also prone to urinary tract infections. This is because bacteria tend to thrive on urine and blood that is rich in glucose, which is the case in terms of diabetes. This side effect of diabetes can cause great pain to an individual’s condition and lead to the development of a whole another issue to deal with along with diabetes itself.
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