What Happens If You Ignore Diabetes?

April 22, 2024

Millions of people worldwide suffer from Diabetes, a chronic illness marked by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes must be managed with the right meals and lifestyle changes; otherwise, there may be dangerous repercussions. In this article, we explore the potential health risks and issues that can arise from failing to manage Diabetes.

The consequences of untreated Diabetes are extensive and highlight the need for proactive care and vigilance. These consequences range from cardiovascular problems to nerve damage and kidney damage among others. In order to lessen the impact of Diabetes on general health and well-being, let’s examine what happens when the disease is ignored and the imperative need for early intervention and comprehensive management strategies.

High Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes can have major repercussions if ignored, especially when it comes to high blood sugar levels. These are some of the reasons why:

Decreased Insulin Sensitivity

Ignoring Diabetes causes the body’s cells to become less receptive to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.

Poor Blood Sugar Control

Blood sugar levels can skyrocket without proper management, which can result in hyperglycemia. The symptoms of this condition include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Risk of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetes that goes untreated can develop into diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition marked by elevated blood sugar, dehydration, and the presence of ketones in the blood. DKA needs to be treated right away.

Compromised Organ Function

Prolonged high blood sugar levels can harm organs and blood vessels, resulting in complications like heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and problems with vision.

Reduced Quality of Life

Diabetes that is not under control can have a major negative influence on everyday life, leading to fatigue, discomfort, and a higher chance of additional health problems.

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Learn from our informative video, What Can Diabetes Lead To?

Cardiovascular Issues

Ignoring Diabetes can have detrimental effects on heart health. These are some of the reasons why:

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease risk is greatly increased by Diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can harm the heart’s blood vessels and nerves, which can result in heart-related disorders such as heart failure, heart attacks, and coronary artery disease.

Higher Chance of Stroke

Diabetes increases the risk of blood clots by damaging blood vessels in the brain, which in turn increases the risk of stroke.

Prediabetes Linked to Cardiovascular Risks

Even prediabetes, which is a precursor to Diabetes, is linked to heart disease and mortality.

Diabetes as a Coronary Artery Disease Risk Equivalent

One of the main risk factors for coronary artery disease is Diabetes. Its presence is linked to a heart disease risk that is comparable to that of a prior heart attack.

Silent Heart Attacks

“Silent” heart attacks—heart attacks that don’t show any symptoms—can result from Diabetes. This increases the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment and raises the possibility of developing more heart problems.

Kidney Damage

Kidney damage is one of the most serious complications of Diabetes, a complex disease that affects many different organs in the body. The following explains why neglecting Diabetes may have detrimental effects on kidney health:

Microvascular Damage

Diabetes damages the body’s microvascular structures, especially in the kidneys. High blood glucose levels over time can harm the kidneys’ small blood vessels, making it more difficult for them to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.

Hyperglycemia

Kidney damage can be exacerbated by consistently high blood glucose levels, which are frequently the consequence of inadequate blood sugar regulation. Hyperglycemia can cause long-term problems and strain the kidneys.

Increased Risk of Early Kidney Involvement

A shorter lifespan is linked to Diabetes with early kidney involvement. Individuals with Diabetes who exhibit early indicators of kidney disease are more vulnerable to risks and complications to their health.

Importance of Kidney Health

The burden of kidney disease might increase if kidney health is neglected. Patients with Diabetes need to prioritise routine kidney function monitoring and take proactive care of their condition.

Watch our insightful video to learn “How do you feel when your blood sugar is too high?”

Nerve Damage

Diabetes is a disorder that impacts the nervous system among other systems in the body. Ignoring Diabetes can have major repercussions, such as neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. These are some of the reasons why:

High Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes is characterised by consistently elevated blood sugar levels, which over time can harm nerves. Increased blood sugar impairs nerve function, resulting in neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetes and peripheral neuropathy are common causes of nerve injury. It usually affects the nerves in the legs and feet, producing pain, tingling, and numbness as symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy can worsen and impact other body parts if treatment is not received.

Compromised Nerve Function

Damage to the nerves can affect feeling and movement, which can cause difficulty in walking, balance problems, and a higher chance of injury. Severe cases may lead to infections, amputations, and foot ulcers.

Early Intervention

Preventing more nerve damage requires early intervention after identifying the symptoms of neuropathy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing Diabetes effectively, and keeping an eye on blood sugar levels can all help to reduce the progression of neuropathy.

Vision Problems and Blindness

Diabetes is a complex condition that can impact the eyes among other body parts. Ignoring Diabetes can have detrimental effects on the health of your vision, possibly resulting in blindness or other visual issues. These are some of the reasons why:

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is the cause of the common eye condition known as diabetic retinopathy. If treatment is not received, it damages the retina’s blood vessels, impairing vision and perhaps resulting in blindness.

Increased Risk of Eye Complications

Diabetes-related high blood sugar levels can harm small blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in diseases like glaucoma and diabetic macular edema.

Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease

Among the symptoms could include distorted or blurry vision, trouble seeing at night, and sudden changes in vision. It is imperative that you seek medical assistance as soon as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms.

Prevention and Management

Diabetic eye disease can be prevented and managed through regular eye exams, healthy lifestyle choices, and blood sugar monitoring. Vision can be preserved and complications can be prevented with early detection and treatment.

Do you or someone you know have Diabetes? Watch our enlightening video to learn “What are the 10 early warning signs of Diabetes?“

Infections and Slow Healing

The body’s ability to fight infections and heal wounds can be significantly impacted by Diabetes. Ignoring the management of Diabetes can make these problems worse and result in dangerous consequences. These are some of the reasons why:

Impaired Immune Function

Diabetes-related high blood sugar levels can impair immunity, making it more difficult for the body to fight against infections.

Reduced Blood Flow

Diabetes can damage blood vessels and restrict blood flow to the limbs, including the feet. Reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to wounds due to poor circulation slows down the healing process.

Neuropathy

Diabetes-related nerve damage known as diabetic neuropathy can cause loss of sensation in the limbs. This means that people with Diabetes would not notice wounds or injuries, which would lead to infections spreading unchecked.

Increased Risk of Infections

Diabetics are more susceptible to infections due to a combination of factors including neuropathy, poor circulation, and compromised immune function. Treatment for these infections can be challenging and could result in more complications.

Delayed Healing

People with Diabetes may experience a lengthier healing time for wounds than people without the condition because of the above listed factors. Infections are more likely to occur in wounds that heal slowly, necessitating medical attention.

Amputations

The danger of amputation, especially in the lower limbs, is one of the most serious consequences of Diabetes. Ignoring Diabetes and not managing blood sugar levels might increase the risk of problems that could require amputations considerably. These are some of the reasons why:

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the nerves that results in numbness and reduced sensation in the hands and feet, can be brought on by uncontrolled Diabetes. Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy could not feel small wounds or infections in their feet, which can develop into more serious issues.

Poor Circulation

Additionally, Diabetes can affect blood circulation, particularly in the lower limbs. Reduced blood flow causes wounds to heal more slowly, increasing the risk of infections and other problems that could need amputation.

Foot Ulcers and Infections

Diabetes patients are more prone to infections and ulcers on their feet due to the damage that high blood sugar levels can do to the blood vessels and nerves in their feet. These ulcers can become worse if left untreated, and in order to stop the infection from spreading, amputation may be necessary.

Delayed Healing

The body’s ability to heal wounds can be hampered by Diabetes. In people with Diabetes, even little wounds or cuts may take longer to heal, increasing the risk of infections and other problems that could require amputations.

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Conclusion

Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects millions of people worldwide and is characterised by elevated blood sugar levels. Diabetes must be effectively managed with a healthy diet and lifestyle, otherwise it could have harmful consequences. We looked at the possible health risks and problems that can result from ignoring Diabetes.

Diabetes untreated has many negative effects, which emphasise the importance of proactive care and vigilance. These repercussions include nerve damage, cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, etc. Understanding the importance of early intervention and comprehensive management strategies is critical to reducing the impact of Diabetes on overall health and well-being. People with Diabetes can reduce the risks associated with the disease and live healthier, more fulfilling lives by managing and treating it early on.

To learn more about Diabetes, check out our other related blogs:

How To Treat Diabetes Using Iridology

Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes vs Hypoglycemia

Can Your Eyes Indicate Signs Of Diabetes?

What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed Diabetes?

Can Iridology Detect Diabetes?