Diabetes, a chronic condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels, poses serious threats to overall health. Long-term high blood sugar brings about a quartet of significant hazards that demand attention.
Firstly, it takes a toll on the body’s immunity. With blood sugar soaring, glucose isn’t efficiently absorbed by the body and instead gets excreted in large amounts through urine. As a result, the body resorts to breaking down fat and protein for energy, which inevitably leads to a decline in immune function. This weakened immunity leaves individuals more susceptible to various infections and diseases, making it harder for the body to fend off common ailments.
Secondly, vascular health is severely compromised. Elevated blood sugar causes blood viscosity to increase, rendering blood vessels narrower, more brittle, and less elastic. This obstructs the normal flow within the circulatory system, leading to poor blood circulation and potential blockages. Such disruptions can have far-reaching consequences, from affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively to increasing the risk of strokes and other cardiovascular incidents.
The nervous system isn’t spared either. Prolonged high blood sugar prompts the accumulation of sugar alcohols in nerve cells. Coupled with circulatory disorders that deprive these cells of adequate blood oxygen supply, nerve cell malnutrition and dysfunction follow. This manifests as a host of neurological issues, including peripheral neuritis and autonomic nerve disorders, which can cause pain, numbness, and disruptions in bodily functions like digestion and heart rate regulation.
Lastly, the body’s metabolic system goes haywire. Rising blood sugar levels trigger metabolic disorders in proteins and fats, giving rise to a slew of complications. In extreme cases, it can even lead to dehydration of brain and other tissue cells, potentially resulting in unconsciousness.
Diabetes also reveals its presence through specific nighttime manifestations. If patients experience insomnia accompanied by frequent urination, it could be a sign of high blood sugar. Uncontrolled diabetes often leads to excessive thirst and irritability, causing increased fluid intake and subsequent disrupted sleep due to nocturnal trips to the bathroom. Fluctuations in blood sugar can also cause night sweats or a sense of cold sweat. High blood sugar-induced neuropathy can disrupt normal sweating patterns, while hypoglycemic episodes during sleep can trigger sympathetic nerve excitement, leading to sweating. Skin discomfort, such as itching and numbness, is another telltale sign. The body’s inability to metabolize sugar promptly can irritate the skin, and chronic dehydration due to diabetes further exacerbates dryness and itchiness. Additionally, feeling unusually sleepy early in the morning might indicate high blood sugar levels, as excessive sugar excretion in urine saps energy and dampens the central nervous system’s responsiveness.
Managing high blood sugar is crucial. For those in the abnormal glucose tolerance stage, lifestyle modifications like dietary control and regular exercise can keep blood sugar in check. However, once diagnosed with diabetes, especially when islet function is impaired, a combination of approaches is necessary. This includes strict diet adherence, appropriate physical activity, and often the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin therapy. It’s vital to note that diabetes currently has no cure, necessitating long-term commitment to these management strategies. Anyone suspecting high blood sugar must seek medical attention promptly rather than attempting self-treatment, as timely intervention can prevent the onset of debilitating complications and safeguard overall well-being.
