If you don't work hard to keep your blood glucose level under control, you'll face short- and long-term issues with type 2 diabetes (also known as type 2 diabetes mellitus). You may be able to avoid these issues by managing the amount and types of food you eat (your meal plan), exercising, and taking any essential medications. Even if you have some of the long-term, more serious consequences listed below when you're first diagnosed, strict blood glucose management will help keep the difficulties from worsening. (Some of these issues may already be present when you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.)
Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, you may not notice you have high blood glucose for a long period. High blood glucose levels might have major consequences over time. More information on type 2 diabetes symptoms can be found in this write-up.)
Hypoglycemia (extremely low blood glucose) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS), which is very high blood glucose, are two short-term consequences of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease (nephropathy), diabetic neuropathy, and macrovascular issues are long-term consequences of type 2.
(a) Short-term Diabetes Complications
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is defined as a low blood glucose level (blood sugar). Your blood glucose level may decline, especially if you're on insulin or a sulfonylurea medication (those make your body produce insulin throughout the day). If you take these medications and eat less or become more active, your blood glucose levels may drop too low.
Other causes of hypoglycemia include certain drugs (aspirin, for example, reduces blood glucose levels if taken in excess of 81mg) and excessive alcohol use (alcohol keeps the liver from releasing glucose).
The signs and symptoms of low blood sugar are simple to spot:
· Numbness in fingers, toes, and lips
· Sleepiness
· Confusion
· Headaches
· Slurred speech
· Rapid heartbeat
· Sweating
· Whiteness of skin
· Anxiety
Drinking orange juice or swallowing a glucose pill will immediately raise your blood glucose level in mild cases of hypoglycemia.
If you have type 2 diabetes and take insulin, keep glucagon on hand at all times. If you become unresponsive or unconscious due to hypoglycemia, you'll require a rapid injection of glucagon. Glucagon is a hormone that causes your blood glucose level to rise.
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome
Although hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) is uncommon, it is important to be aware of it and know what to do if it happens. When your blood glucose level rises to dangerously high levels, it's known as HHNS, and if it's not treated, it can lead to death.
When you're unwell, you're more prone to have HHNS, and it's more common in the elderly. It begins when your blood glucose level begins to rise: when this happens, your body will try to eliminate all of the excess glucose by urinating often. Your body will become dehydrated as a result, and you will become extremely thirsty.
Unfortunately, you can't always refresh your body as much as you should when you're unwell. For example, you might have difficulties keeping fluids down. When you don't rehydrate your body, your blood glucose level rises, and it can eventually reach dangerously high levels, putting you in a coma.
When you're sick, keep a close eye on your blood glucose level to avoid hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (you should always keep an eye on your blood glucose level, but pay more attention when you're sick).
Speak with your doctor about creating a sick-day strategy that you can stick to.
(b)Long-term Complications
You can avoid long-term diabetes issues by keeping your blood glucose level in a healthy range with food planning, physical activity, and medications.
These problems arise over time and are all related to how blood glucose levels influence blood vessels. High blood glucose levels can damage the body's blood vessels, both small and large, over time.
Microvascular issues result from damage to your small blood vessels, while macrovascular difficulties are from damage to your large vessels.
(i)Microvascular Complications: Eye, Kidney, and Nerve Disease
You have small blood vessels that can be damaged over time if your blood glucose levels are continuously high. Damaged blood arteries don't deliver blood as efficiently as they should, causing complications in the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
· Eyes: Long-term blood glucose levels that are out of range can develop cataracts and/or retinopathy in the eyes. Both can result in eyesight loss.
Maintain a healthy blood glucose level and have yearly eye exams with a dilated eye examination with an eye doctor to monitor your eye health and avoid diabetes-related eye disorders.
· Kidneys: Kidney disease (also known as diabetic nephropathy) leads to reduced kidney function, dialysis, and/or kidney transplantation if left untreated. Diabetes that is uncontrolled (or poorly controlled) can lead to renal failure, in which the kidneys are unable to effectively clear the blood.
Microalbuminuria, a disease that is an early symptom of kidney issues, should be examined every year to prevent diabetic nephropathy. The test determines the amount of protein in the urine. A urine sample is all that is required for this test. When the kidneys begin to fail, they begin to discharge an excessive amount of protein. Once microalbuminuria has been diagnosed, medications can assist avoid additional harm.
· Nerves: Diabetic neuropathy is the term for nerve damage induced by diabetes. Because your nerves are "fed" by microscopic blood vessels, if the blood vessels are injured, the nerves will eventually be affected as well.
Some persons with type 2 diabetes will already be showing evidence of nerve damage when they are diagnosed. This is an example of how lowering blood glucose levels can help avoid future damage.
Diabetic neuropathy can be classified as peripheral, autonomic, proximal, or focal. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most prevalent type of nerve injury, affecting the nerves that go through the hands and feet the most.
People with type 2 diabetes who have had it for a long period and haven't managed their blood glucose well may lose sensation in their feet. They may also suffer tingling, numbness, or discomfort. People with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the feet may not notice they have a sore on their foot, which is a dangerous problem. If left untreated, the sore can become infected, the infection can spread, and the foot may need to be amputated to prevent the infection from spreading further. Regular foot checkups by a podiatrist are crucial, but you should also have your healthcare provider inspect your feet every time you visit the doctor.
(ii)Macrovascular Complications: The Heart, Brain, and Blood Vessels
Type 2 diabetes can also impact the big blood vessels, creating plaque buildup and the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or artery blockage in the legs (peripheral vascular disease).
To avoid heart disease and stroke as a result of diabetes, you should not only manage your diabetes carefully, but you should also make heart-healthy decisions in other areas of your life, such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, and monitoring your cholesterol.
It is critical to have your cholesterol examined at least once a year. Every time you visit your doctor, your blood pressure should be checked. The doctor should also examine the pulse in your feet at every office visit to ensure healthy circulation.
Type 2 diabetes has a number of short- and long-term consequences, but you can avoid them if you keep your blood glucose under control.
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