How Dangerous is Diabetes?

Why is Diabetes Dangerous?

While diabetes is a common illness, it is uncommon for people to truly understand how serious it is.
Diabetes is a disease that progressively gets worse and can lead to very serious complications when not managed properly.
Some of the more common complications are kidney failure, nerve damage, like peripheral neuropathy which is characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet, and vision problems. However, there are a lot more complications that can occur.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a disease where plaque builds up in your arteries. This build up causes the arteries to be narrowed, preventing proper blood flow to your limbs. Peripheral arterial disease increases your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Increased Infections

When you have diabetes, your immune system can become weakened. This puts you at a higher risk for infections. Infections such as yeast infections and urinary tract infections can cause a lot of further complications. The nerve damage that could result from diabetes could also lead to you not feeling an infected area in a timely manner, delaying treatment.

Skin Complications

Skin complications are actually one of the first noticeable signs of diabetes. When you have diabetes, and it isn’t being properly treated, you are at risk for fungal infections, bacterial infections, and itchy skin. You may also suffer from other skin conditions such as atherosclerosis, digital sclerosis, and severe blisters.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a condition that caused your stomach to not be able to empy itself as quickly as it should. This interferes with normal digestion and can cause nausea, vomiting, and causes problems with blood sugar levels.

Depression

Depression often comes along with diabetes. The chance of someone suffering from depression is actually 2-3 times higher in someone with diabetes, than someone who does not have diabetes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when your blood sugar is way too high and ketones build up to dangerous levels inside your body. Ketoacidosis is not the same as ketosis, which is harmless.
 Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when there is not enough insulin in your body to process high levels of glucose in your blood.

Diabetes is a very serious and dangerous disease. When it is left untreated, it can take an extreme toll on your body, both mentally and physically. It’s important to monitor your blood sugars, weight, blood pressure, get a diabetes screening and schedule routine checkups with your doctor to prevent all of these dangerous complications that come with diabetes.
CureMed Pharmacy has a Diabetes Self-Management Education program that provides an education to those suffering from Diabetes. It teaches patients how to make better food choices, manage AIC levels with proper diabetic care, and also provide follow-ups and information for a healthier lifestyle. For more information on our diabetes program, click here.