Diabetes is one of the most dangerous diseases today. Diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes develops silently, slowly, with little manifestation. When the symptoms appear, the disease has progressed to a severe stage and some complications may appear.
1. What is type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease characterized by increased blood glucose due to defects in insulin levels and impaired insulin action. Chronic high blood glucose causes disturbances in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism in the body, thereby causing damage to many organs, especially the heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes and teeth. .
Complications of diabetes Type 2 progresses rapidly, is dangerous, and has the potential to cause sudden death. Therefore, regularly monitoring, checking and maintaining blood sugar levels and stable blood pressure is a mandatory requirement for diabetics.
2. Acute diabetes complications
Diabetes complications Acute can appear in some cases such as:
- Low blood glucose: The telltale sign of this complication is that the patient’s body always feels tired, sleepy, slow speech, gestures, tremors, hunger pangs, sweating… This complication Usually occurs in patients with excessive dietary intake, overdose of hypoglycaemic drugs.
- Hyperglycemia is too high: Patients with hyperglycemia will often feel thirsty, urinate a lot, muscle weakness, cramps, etc. Even leading to coma if not treated promptly. Coma due to hyperosmolarity when glucose levels are too high is the most severe complication and is very likely to cause death.
- Ketoacidosis: this is a state of intoxication caused by increased blood levels of acid and lead to acidosis, the reason for ketoacidosis is glucose metabolism lacking insulin so it cannot complete the excess acid in the blood. . Patients with ketoacidosis not treated promptly can lead to death.
2. Chronic diabetes complications
2.1. Cardiovascular complications
This is the most dangerous complication for patients with type 2 diabetes, which, if not detected and treated early, can lead to death. Prolonged high blood sugar causes high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, coronary artery disease, which can lead to serious cardiovascular complications such as stroke or heart attack.
2.2. Neurological complications
High blood glucose causes nerve damage throughout the body, especially the peripheral nerves and extremities. Nerve damage in type 2 diabetics causes severe pain, itching, numbness, loss of sensation, trauma, and severe infection in the legs. Many patients with type 2 diabetes have to have their limbs amputated when they have a severe infection to avoid affecting other organs in the body.
2.3. Kidney complications
Chronically elevated glucose damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys, adversely affecting kidney function and impairing kidney function. Especially in people with a history of previous kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure is very high.
2.4. Eye complications
Most people with diabetes of both types are very likely to develop eye diseases that cause vision loss or even blindness. Therefore, if the patient shows signs of fatigue, blurred vision suddenly and quickly, it is necessary to go to the hospital soon for examination and intervention.
2.5. Pregnancy complications
Having diabetes during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the safety and development of the fetus. Risk diabetes complications Pregnancy can include: children exposed to high blood glucose leading to a high risk of diabetes, overweight fetuses, babies with sudden low blood sugar after birth, complications during delivery…
In addition to the above complications, high blood sugar also damages many other organs in the body such as the brain, bones and joints and easily causes skin diseases…
Complications of diabetes affect all organs in the body, but by controlling blood sugar levels, stabilizing blood pressure, and regular blood fats, it will help patients detect and promptly treat complications. proof. In addition, patients also absolutely need to adhere to the medication prescribed by the doctor and follow a healthy diet, maintain a reasonable weight, increase regular exercise to limit and improve the consequences of diabetes. complications to be able to live peacefully with diabetes.
Complications of diabetes greatly affect the quality of life as well as pose a threat to the health of patients. However, with healthier lifestyle modifications combined with the right treatment, people with type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the complications caused by the disease.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.