Tuesday, March 26, 2024

What Happens If Type 2 Diabetes Goes Untreated

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Put The Brakes On Diabetes Complications

Early Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

A healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing or delaying complications.

Encouraging news: People with diabetes are living longer, healthier lives with fewer complications. Whats the driving force? Greater awareness and better management of risk factors. Find out what you can do to prevent or delay diabetes health problems.

Weve come a long way in reducing the impact of diabetes on peoples lives. In the last 20 years, rates of several major complications have decreased among US adults with diabetes. The greatest declines were for two leading causes of death: heart attack and stroke. This is real progress.

Whats The Difference Between Untreated Type 1 Diabetes And Untreated Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is when your pancreas doesnt produce any insulin at all. If left untreated, it can cause atherosclerosis , heart disease, stroke, and eye and kidney diseases.

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesnt produce enough insulin or your body cannot use insulin effectively. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to vision loss, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation.

Signs Or Symptoms Of Uncontrolled Diabetes That Should Not Be Ignored

As seen above, the consequences of untreated diabetes can be fatal and one has to deal with major complications. As such, following are a few signs and symptoms which you should not ignore as these are the signals that can tell you that you need to do something with your diabetes:

When you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, chances are that either you have diabetes that has not been diagnosed or that the disease is not being managed effectively. In either of the cases, it is extremely important that you visit your doctor because undetected and untreated diabetes can both lead to serious consequences and can even prove to be fatal.

We hope that the above post has been helpful in educating you about the consequences that untreated diabetes can have on your body. It can be a life-threatening condition. Thankfully, diabetes, although complicated, can be effectively managed by following a healthy diet, disciplined and a balanced lifestyle, and regular physical exercise. It is imperative to control this life-threatening condition as per the advice of the medical experts due to the serious and irreversible consequences that it can lead to!!

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Financial Support And Benefits

Some people with diabetes may be eligible for disability and incapacity benefits, depending on the impact the condition has on their lives.

The main groups likely to qualify for welfare benefits are children, the elderly, and those with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties or diabetes complications.

People over the age of 65 who are severely disabled may qualify for a type of disability benefit called Attendance Allowance.

Carers may also be entitled to some benefits, depending on their involvement in caring for the person with diabetes.

Your local Citizens Advice can check whether you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to. Your diabetes specialist nurse and Citizens Advice can also provide advice about filling in the forms.

How To Tell If You Have Diabetes

Complications of untreated prediabetes

High Blood Sugar Level. One of the signs of untreated diabetes is high blood sugar. When you visit your doctor, they will measure your blood sugar and let you know what range your blood glucose should fall in. Healthy blood sugar levels are usually between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dl two hours after meals.

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Mental Health And Diabetes

Living with and managing either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. This can affect your blood glucose levels and how you manage your diabetes in general. Over time, this can affect your health.It is important to talk to your doctor if you are going through times of stress, depression or anxiety. Your doctor can refer you to a counsellor or psychologist by providing a diabetes mental health plan. This is Medicare rebated.Other help is available, including:

  • online resources

High Blood Sugar Level

One of the signs of untreated diabetes is high blood sugar. When you visit your healthcare provider, they will measure your blood sugar and tell you what range your blood glucose should fall in. Healthy blood sugar levels are usually between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dl two hours after meals.

High blood sugar is also associated with many symptoms. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away about getting your blood glucose checked:

  • Increased thirst or hunger
  • Skin infections
  • Slow-healing cuts and sores

If your healthcare provider suspects you have diabetes or prediabetes , they will order other tests to confirm the diagnosis.

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Why Do I Need To Treat Diabetes

  • Kidney damage. High blood sugar can affect various organs and cells, including the kidneys.
  • Heart disease. Kidney damage can lead to acute heart problems and chronic heart conditions.
  • Stroke. Excessive amounts of blood sugar can increase your risk of suffering from a stroke.
  • Blindness. In serious cases, kidney and nerve damage can lead to eye damage and even blindness.
  • Neuropathy. Nerve damage or neuropathy can develop if diabetes is left untreated for a long time.
  • Gastroparesis. You may even develop problems in the stomach and the digestive system.
  • Coma. In the most severe cases, untreated diabetes can cause comas or even death.

Its crucial that you never leave your type 2 diabetes untreated. The consequences of doing so can be serious and life-changing. If you learn to manage your condition properly, you will find that life can be even more enjoyable than it was before your diagnosis. We recommend committing to a healthy lifestyle today, so you can learn to live with diabetes for many years to come.If you are unsure about whether you are doing everything you can to lead a healthy, active lifestyle, or you think your condition is becoming worse, be sure to speak to your doctor about whether your treatment plan is working for you.

Youre Getting Yeast Infections More Often Than Usual

Complications of type 2 diabetes if not diagnosed early

Hyperglycemia may lead you to get more frequent genital yeast infections. The culprit is often a type of yeast known as Candida albicans, per the ADA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in females the symptoms can include: vaginal itching, redness or soreness pain during sexual intercourse pain or discomfort during urination and thick, abnormal vaginal discharge. While yeast infections are common in people who dont have diabetes, having more glucose in your blood puts you at higher risk of getting them. The yeast feeds off the glucose, and if your blood sugar is high theres more glucose in the urinary tract, explains Bandukwala. Uncircumcised men with hyperglycemia are also at risk, he says.

Were also seeing this happen a little more now with patients who take SGLT-2 inhibitors, which force the body to expel more glucose through the urine, the endocrinologist adds. The FDA has added a warning to the prescribing information for SGLT-2 inhibitors about a far more rare and potentially fatal genital condition, known as necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, or Fourniers gangrene .

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What Are The Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes

Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is influenced by several factors, including your genes and lifestyle. While risk factors such as family background, age, or ethnicity are unchangeable. Lifestyle risk factors such as eating, physical activity, and weight can be altered.

  • You may be at an increased risk of developing the condition if you have prediabetes
  • You are obese or overweight
  • You are over 45 years old
  • You have high blood pressure
  • You lead a sedentary lifestyle
  • You have a family history of diabetes
  • You have polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS
  • You are American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic, African American, Native Hawaiian or other.

Is it possible that you can have diabetes and seem to be completely unaware of it? Nearly one in every five Americans have diabetes and are unaware of it. To see if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, take the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Risk Test. Click here to take it.

If you notice any of these signs or you know you are at risk, you must let your doctor know. Awareness will allow your doctor to schedule necessary screenings and tests to ensure they catch diabetes in its early stage.

Type 2 diabetes will continue to get worse if you leave it undetected. With time you will begin to notice the negative effects of untreated diabetes.

How Do I Treat Hyperglycemia

You can often lower your blood glucose level by exercising. However, if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, do not exercise.

Exercising when ketones are present may make your blood glucose level go even higher. You’ll need to work with your doctor to find the safest way for you to lower your blood glucose level.

Cutting down on the amount of food you eat might also help. Work with your dietitian to make changes in your meal plan. If exercise and changes in your diet don’t work, your doctor may change the amount of your medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when you take it.

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When Should I Call My Doctor

Its important to monitor diabetes very closely if youre sick. Even a common cold can be dangerous if it interferes with your insulin and blood sugar levels. Make a sick day plan with your healthcare provider so you know how often to check your blood sugar and what medications to take.

Contact your provider right away if you experience:

  • Confusion or memory loss.

What Can You Do If Your Blood Sugar Levels Are Too Low

Diabetes

It is important to react quickly enough and eat or drink something, like dextrose sugar or a sugary drink .

If someone has severe hypoglycemia they may feel drowsy and confused, and might even become unconscious. People who have type 1 diabetes often carry a pre-filled syringe on them in case that happens, containing the hormone glucagon. Glucagon makes the liver release sugar into the bloodstream. Someone else can then inject the hormone if necessary. If this is not possible, it is important to call the emergency services immediately and ask for medical help.

If your blood sugar levels keep on dropping too low, you should see your doctor. It could then be a good idea to change your lifestyle or medication.

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What Is The Main Aim Of Diabetes

The main aim of treating diabetes is to prevent the complications. Let us know what happens if type 2 diabetes is untreated for long. Being a metabolic disease, diabetes cannot be treated completely but can be managed quite well if the patient takes the right medications, consumes a healthy diet and also makes necessary lifestyle changes. …

What Is The Difference Between Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, people produce little or no insulin, as the insulin-producing cells have been destroyed by the bodys immune system. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease.

In type 2 diabetes, the body may make enough insulin early in the disease, but doesnt respond to it effectively. As type 2 diabetes progresses, the pancreas gradually loses the ability to produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is associated with inherited factors and lifestyle risk factors such as being overweight or obese, poor diet, and insufficient physical activity.

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Swollen Or Bleeding Gums Which Increase Your Infection Risk

Gum disease is a complication of diabetes, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. It can also make diabetes harder to control, because the bodys response to infection is to release more glucose into the bloodstream, according to the ADA.

Your saliva contains glucose and the more it contains, the more there is to feed the bacteria that combine with food in your mouth to form plaque and cause gum disease. Symptoms can include red or inflamed gums at first. If they are unaddressed, they can progress to periodontitis, which can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, the appearance of pus or ulcers, or even tooth loss, notes the Mayo Clinic. Get your blood sugar under control and see a dental professional to prevent damage to your gums and teeth.

Additional reporting by Diana Rodriguez and Andrea Peirce.

Early Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

What Is Type 1 Diabetes? | 2 Minute Guide | Diabetes UK

1. Frequent urination

When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. One of the early warning signs of diabetes is frequent urination that is urgent enough to wake you up to go to the bathroom during sleep.

2. Increased thirst

While your kidneys are working overtime and youre urinating more frequently, valuable fluids will be pulled from your tissues. Frequent urination will make you feel constantly thirsty.

3. Fatigue

When your blood sugar is high, your body works hard to get rid of the excess sugar. Not only does this process take a toll on your body, but it also alters the way that your body uses glucose for energy. Excessively high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, has fatiguing effects among other symptoms. Additionally, the dehydration that accompanies more frequent urination is a common cause of fatigue in diabetics.

4. Blurred vision

High blood sugar can cause damage to the small blood vessels of the eye, resulting in a swollen lens that can cause blurred vision. As blood sugar levels rise and lower, your vision may return to normal or worsen, respectively.

5. Increased hunger

When you have high blood sugar, your body is actively looking to get rid of it. Because your body expels so much of the glucose you’re getting from your food, you may have increased feelings of hunger.

6. Unexplained weight loss

7. Slow healing cuts and wounds

8. Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

9. Skin discoloration

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Heart Disease And Stroke

In general, type 2 diabetes increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. However, the risk may be even higher if your condition is not properly managed. Thats because high blood glucose can damage your cardiovascular system.

According to the CDC, people with diabetes are to die from heart disease than people who dont have diabetes. Theyre also one and a half times more likely to experience a stroke, according to the ADA.

The warning signs of stroke include:

  • numbness or weakness on one side of your body
  • loss of balance or coordination
  • difficulty talking

These tips can help you manage type 2 diabetes:

  • regularly monitor your blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels
  • consider stopping smoking if you smoke
  • focus on nutrient-dense foods and limit foods high in saturated fat and sugar
  • work toward reaching a moderate weight if your doctor has recommended it
  • participate in daily physical activity
  • be sure to take your prescribed medications
  • work with your doctor to create a health plan to manage your diabetes
  • seek diabetes education to learn more about managing your type 2 diabetes care, as Medicare and most health insurance plans cover accredited diabetes education programs

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be hard to spot, so its important to know your risk factors.

You may have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes if you:

  • are living with obesity

How To Tell If Blood Sugar Is High

High blood sugar is also often associated with a number of symptoms. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away about getting your blood glucose checked: 3 1 Increased thirst or hunger 2 Blurred vision 3 Frequent urination 4 Headaches 5 Fatigue 6 Weight loss 7 Skin infections 8 Slow-healing cuts and sores

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Organ Damage Over Time

Another way diabetes can lead to death is by damage done to organs and tissues in the body over time. For example, the blood vessels in the kidneys can be damaged by high blood sugar, said Dr. Mcclainâa complication that can lead to kidney failure.

This same type of organ and blood-vessel damage can also lead to blindness and amputation of feet or legs. People with diabetes should get in a habit of checking their feet every day. Things to look for are cuts, sores, swelling, skin and nail changes, and changes in temperature. If you spot a cut or sore that is infected or isnt healing properly, its time to get medical attention.

High blood sugar levels dont just damage organs and blood vessels over time. They can also cause nerve damage, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. Damaged nerves can cause a range of problems from mild numbness to pain that interferes with normal activities, according to the CDC. If you have nerve damage in your foot, for example, you may not even feel a cut or sore.

These changes in organs and tissues can reduce your quality of life and raise the risk of infection, injuries, or additional illnesses. We know that keeping blood sugar under control, for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of these complications, Dr. Mcclain said.

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What Happens To Diabetics As They Age

Pin on Good to Know

Although the burden of diabetes is often described in terms of its impact on working-age adults, diabetes in older adults is linked to higher mortality, reduced functional status, and increased risk of institutionalization .

What happens with type 2 diabetes over time?

Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly over time. Most people with the disease are overweight or obese when they are diagnosed. Increased fat makes it harder for your body to use insulin the correct way. Type 2 diabetes can also develop in people who are not overweight or obese.

Does diabetes ever just go away?

No cure for diabetes currently exists, but the disease can go into remission. When diabetes goes into remission, it means that the body does not show any signs of diabetes, although the disease is technically still present.

Do diabetics age faster?

Study reveals high glucose levels can get body to age faster than usual. The joint study, carried out by Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands and Unilever R& D, has revealed this discovery.

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