Unfortunately, diabetes is not one of those conditions that will go away on its own. When a person is diagnosed, treatment becomes an essential part of their daily life. The good news is, even though diabetes can't be cured, it can be managed.
But what happens if one leaves diabetes mellitus completely untreated? Are there any severe consequences to be aware of?
The short answer is: there are. And what are they exactly? Well, let's get to know them.
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases of the XXI century. There are 3 major types:
When left untreated, all types of diabetes harm a person's health significantly. Blood sugar control is a must for maintaining physical and mental health, as well as avoiding serious infections.
Let's take a look at some of the possible diabetic complications that occur in people who didn't receive proper (if any) treatment.
When blood glucose levels are persistently high, it starts causing blood vessel damage. The vessels become less elastic, which leads to problems with blood flow, causing high blood pressure and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy).
Without proper blood glucose control, high blood pressure can result in a heart attack.
Poor circulation also affects the kidney and digestion.
The filters of the kidney are full of small blood vessels. Once they are clogged, they are not as effective as they used to be anymore. Such kidney damage results in its inability to tell toxic chemicals from beneficial vitamins, acids, and other components, potentially leading to the necessity of a kidney transplant.
As for problems with the digestive system, they are caused by muscles not being able to tighten and move the food, which is a direct result of a high blood sugar level.
Too much sugar in the blood affects the entire body system. People with diabetes must be aware of other complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, Alzheimer's disease, skin complications (bacterial and fungal infections), weak immune system (due to white blood cells damage), even sexual dysfunction.
Diabetic ketoacidosis and low blood sugar can also occur in diabetes patients and must be addressed immediately.
Diabetes affects all aspects of a person's life. However, it doesn't mean that necessary lifestyle changes have to be unbearable.
While uncontrolled diabetes will inevitably cause serious health problems, sticking to newly adopted habits will not only keep blood glucose levels within a normal range but improve the quality of life and overall health of a person:
Ask your diabetes care provider about ways of managing diabetes that will be beneficial for you.
Untreated diabetes will eventually result in serious complications. Those include kidney disease, skin infections, damaged blood vessel walls, increased risk of heart disease, and others. Check insulin.store to learn more about diabetes mellitus.
To avoid or at least minimize these potential complications, it's important to consult a professional doctor who will provide medical advice. Together, you'll be able to develop the best diabetes treatment plan for you.
Also, it's important to stick to a healthy diet and ditch harmful habits to avoid high blood glucose levels.