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Understanding and Health
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the way sugar is processed in the body. Left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. That’s why it is important to recognize the symptoms of diabetes and seek medical help.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes symptoms can vary from person to person but often include:
- Frequent urination – People with diabetes tend to urinate more often because their bodies process sugar differently and the body is trying to control their blood sugar levels by flushing any excess sugar through the urine.
- Feeling thirsty – If your body is using more fluids than normal to process the sugar in your body, then you may feel thirstier than usual.
- Fatigue – Excess sugar building up in the bloodstream can’t be used as energy, so you might feel more tired than usual as your body has to work harder to find an alternate energy source.
- Blurry vision – Fluctuating levels of sugar in the bloodstream can cause temporary changes to your vision.
- Slow healing wounds – People living with diabetes are more prone to infections due to their fluctuating blood glucose levels.
The Health Risks of Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to many complications if it is left untreated. These include:
- Stroke – High blood pressure combined with diabetes can increase the risk of stroke significantly.
- Heart attack – High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels, increasing the risk of arteries clogging up, leading to a heart attack.
- Kidney failure – Diabetes can cause high levels of sugar in the urine and damage the kidneys’ filtration system.
- Vision loss – Diabetes can cause changes in the large arteries of the eyes, or in the small blood vessels causing vision loss.
- Nervous system damage – Poorly controlled or untreated diabetes can lead to nerve damage which can lead to tingling, numbness and even pain.
Treating Diabetes
The best way to manage diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. This includes making sure you get regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and monitoring your blood sugar levels. You may also need to adjust your medication to keep it under control.
By understanding the symptoms and health risks of diabetes, you can take control of your health and lead a healthier life.