Impact of Diabetes
Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes is associated with a variety of symptoms, which may include the following:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination.
- Heightened feelings of hunger.
- Persistent fatigue.
- Blurred vision.
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands or feet.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Delayed wound healing.
Complications of Diabetes
Here are some potential complications related to diabetes:
- Nerve Damage: Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to damage to the small blood vessels, predominantly affecting the feet, resulting in tingling or numbness that often starts in the toes and progresses upwards.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Diabetes significantly increases the risk of various cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
- Retinopathy: Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels supplying the eye, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
- Kidney Damage: Diabetes may harm kidney tissue, and severe damage could lead to renal failure or conditions necessitating dialysis or kidney transplantation.
- Skin Infections: Individuals with diabetes are at an elevated risk for fungal and bacterial infections.
- Hearing Impairment: Hearing problems are more prevalent among those with diabetes.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Type 2 diabetes is linked to an increased risk of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.
- Foot Complications: Diabetes can result in nerve damage or reduced blood flow to the feet, significantly increasing the risk for foot complications. Injuries to the feet can lead to severe infections that are difficult to treat, raising the likelihood of amputation of toes, feet, or legs.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that persists throughout a person’s life and is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. There are two primary types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes: In this form of diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Individuals with type 2 diabetes do not produce adequate levels of insulin and this type is more prevalent than type 1.
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