How Diabetes Damages Your Health

By Author: Sushruth Ayurved
Total Articles: 12
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Diabetes, which basically means high levels of sugar in the blood, can be very dangerous for one’s health if not controlled well in time. Since blood flows to almost every part of the body, long-term diabetes can result in a number of complications or problems.

Let us take a look at what uncontrolled long term diabetes can do to our body.

Brain
Diabetes is linked to an increased buildup of plaque in the arteries which can hinder blood flow to the brain and potentially cause a stroke.

2. Eyes
High blood glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes and cause complications like diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma which can even result in blindness if left untreated.

3. Heart
Diabetes puts pressure on the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

4. Blood Vessels and nerves
Prolonged blood glucose levels and associated factors such high blood pressure and cholesterol levels causes damage to blood vessels and nerves in the long term.

5. Kidneys
High blood glucose and blood pressure make kidneys work harder. ...
... Over time this reduces the efficiency of the kidneys and increases possibility of renal failure.

6. Hands, legs and feet
Over time high blood glucose damages nerves and reduces blood flow to the extremities leading to pain, numbness, weakness and also reduces the body’s capacity to heal.

7. Mouth
Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, infections and taste impairment.

8. Skin
High blood sugar levels dehydrate the skin causing dryness and infections.

9. Immune System
High blood sugar levels cause immune system malfunction and trigger infections by weakening infection-fighting antimicrobial beta-defensin peptides.

Luckily almost all of these can be prevented or managed by controlling blood sugar levels with attention to one’s diet, exercise and medicines. Along with these, weight management, reducing alcohol intake, not smoking and regular checkups will go a long way in helping keeping diabetic complications at bay.