The Effects Of Diabetes

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The effect of diabetes on the body is considered to be far less common in people who have a supreme control on their blood sugar levels. Alternatively, if the blood sugar levels are not controlled properly and proper measures are not taken for the control of diabetes, disease rapidly progresses to a multitude of complications. In order to make it simplified, we divide the effects into acute and chronic effects. We will take each of these complications simultaneously into consideration.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is considered to be the lethal and acute complication of diabetes and is considered to be a medical emergency. The low blood insulin levels may cause the liver to turn fat into ‘ketone bodies’, which if sustained can lead to a decrease in the blood pH, leading to Diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient suffering from it may be dehydrated and will be breathing rapidly and deeply. Prompt and proper treatment may recover the patient, but if treatment is delayed, it may result into death.

Another acute effect that a patient may have is the low blood glucose level or hypoglycemia. In both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, the condition may show its effects in the individual like agitation, sweat and weakness with loss of consciousness in many cases, making the person prone to go into a coma, seizure or brain death. To avoid this, a diabetic should always have some sugary thing, such as toffee, present in his/her pocket/bag.

With diabetes, the immune response is impaired. This makes a diabetic person more prone to get recurrent respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza.

However, the chronic effects of uncontrolled diabetes are considered to be extremely devastating. This is because diabetes typically starts to involve the small and large blood vessels, because of which blood vessels of any organ can be involved. Subsequently, the effects of chronic diabetes are divided into micro-vascular (small vessels) and macro-vascular (large vessel) effects.

The damage to small vessels may lead to damage to the heart and kidney, leading to failure of both these organs. It can also compromise the nourishment and blood supply to the nerves, leading to the patient having abnormal and decreased sensation. A dangerous example of this is the ‘diabetic foot’, which is the effect of long standing uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Small vessel effects are also seen in eyes, leading to the formation of new blood vessels in retina, which can lead to profound vision loss.

The damage to large vessels can be in the form of coronary artery disease, which can lead to the patient developing angina and myocardial infarction, muscle wasting and/or the development of ischemic stroke.

All these effects of diabetes can be avoided by consuming a diet specified for diabetics, exercising regularly and keeping strict control over blood sugar levels.

Therefore, to conclude, these effects of diabetes need to be properly communicated to the patient, so that the patient knows that in case of facing any of these complications, he/she has to rush for his medical care.