This PDF Describes some of the many Harmful Effects which Diabetes has on the Body.It is therefore very Essential to do whatever one can to ensure a Healthy Life

2. When you hear of the word Diabetes, what is the first thought that
comes into your mind? It is probably about high blood sugar. Blood
sugar is most often an underestimated component of our health. It
is essential for the body; harmful is its high level for a long time.
When this happens, it is known as diabetes. Diabetes affects the
ability of our bodies to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that
allows the body to turn food glucose into energy.Knowing how
diabetes can affect our body can help prevent developing
complications. Many of the effects of diabetes develop from the
same reasons, most common being, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol levels and a decrease in blood glucose control. In this
article, we talk about the Harmful Effects of Diabetes on our Body

3. Signs of Diabetes
• Frequent Urination
• Fatigue
• Blur vision
• Increased thirst
• Tingling sensations in the hands and feet
When diabetes occurs, its signs can be quickly diagnosed as they are ubiquitous. These signs include;
Diabetes can be very well managed when diagnosed early. However, if it left
untreated, it can lead to potential complications that include various heart
complications like stroke and heart attack, kidney damage and nerve damage.

4. Why and how is Diabetes Caused?
• When we eat or drink, our body breaks down the sugars from the
food we eat and use them for creating energy. To let this process work,
our pancreas needs to produce the insulin hormone. This hormone
facilitates the process of breaking down sugar from the blood and
utilise it.
• In diabetes, either our pancreas produces too little insulin or nothing
at all. As a result, insulin is either used ineffectively. This makes the
blood glucose levels to rise while the rest of the cells are deprived of
much-needed energy. This leads to a more significant number of
problems that nearly affects the major body system. Need to know
more, Keep reading to find out about the Harmful Effects of Diabetes

5. What are the Harmful Effects of
Diabetes on the Body?
Along with the symptoms, diabetes can cause long-term
damage to the body. This long-term damage to our body is
commonly called as diabetic complications. These
complications take many years of poorly controlled diabetes to
develop. These complications are preventable in most
circumstances. Let us have a look at the Harmful Effects of
Diabetes on our body.

6. 10 Harmful Effects of Diabetes on our Body
Many people with diabetes develop
some or the other form of eye
retinopathy. This is the damage caused
to the network of blood vessels that
supply the retina. It can cause damage
to the vision. It is, therefore, essential
for diabetes patients to have regular eye
screenings. If diagnosed early, it can
prevent blindness.

7. 2. Kidney Diseases
Kidneys are organs that are at risk of
damage because of diabetes, and this risk
is increased due to poor control of
diabetes, cholesterol and high blood
pressure. Kidneys can lose their ability to
filter waste material from the blood. If
you are detected with microalbuminuria
or high amounts of proteins in urine, it
could be an indicator that kidneys are not
functioning correctly.
The diseases related to kidneys are known
as diabetic nephropathy. This does not
show until later stages. When detected,
your doctor suggests measures to prevent
kidney failure.

8. 3. Circulatory System
Diabetes increases the risk of
developing high blood
pressure. This puts a strain on
our heart. It faces difficulty in
pumping the blood. High
blood glucose levels
contribute to the formation of
fatty deposits in blood vessel
walls. This restricts blood flow
and increases the risk of
atherosclerosis.

9. 4. Central Nervous System
Diabetes can lead to diabetes
neuropathy, i.e. damage to
the nerves. This can lead to
changes in our perception of
heat, pain and cold. It also
makes a person with diabetes
more prone to injury.

10. 5. Affects the Digestive System
Diabetes can cause nerve
damage, and this can lead to
nausea, constipation and
diarrhoea. The medicines that
are taken by people with
diabetes also lead to a
disturbing pattern of digestion.
These problems tend to settle
down as the body gets used to
them.

11. 6. Numbness in Feet
In addition to nerve damage,
diabetic people experience
issues such as poor circulation of
blood in the feet. As a result, the
person feels numbness in the
lower limbs. This increases the
risk of ulcers and certain
infections. This problem is also
called as diabetic foot.

12. 7. Loss of Hearing
Hearing loss is twice as common in
diabetes patients. It is a common
fact that we can lose hearing
interview with age, but Diabetics
can start losing hearing abilities
soon in life. This loss is caused due
to the damage to inner ear blood
vessels, in the same manner as
eyes and kidneys. A good way to
avoid this condition is keeping a
check on your blood glucose levels
regularly.

13. 8. Gum Problems
People with diabetes have more
chances of developing periodontal
disease, an infection of the bone
and gum that can lead to a
problem in chewing and loss of
teeth. The elevated blood sugar
levels modify the collagen in our
tissues. It is also because there is a
slight increase in the susceptibility
to infections of all kinds.

14. 9. Skin Infections
Having diabetes increases the risk of all types of skin issues. It can
hike up the chances of bacterial infections such as boils and urinary
tract infections and certain fungal infections. Yeast infections are
particularly the first signs of diabetes in someone who have not been
diagnosed with it yet. Skin infections can also be linked to obesity
because in between the skin folds, moist places can become the
breeding houses for bacteria and fungi. Candida may also develop in
these skin folds. Infections can also be caused in genitalia.

15. 10. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSA is a severe sleep disorder in which the throat muscles relax and
block the airway during sleep. This affects around 50% of people with
diabetes. It commonly occurs in those who are obese and have a
collar size of more than 16 for women and 17 for men. The most
common sign of OSA is audible snoring. This sleep disorder can make
it difficult to control diabetes. Treatment of OSA involves using a
device to keep your airway open at night or wearing a mouthpiece
that thrusts the jaw forward. In cases that are severe, it can be
treated through surgery.

16. Bottom Line- These were the Harmful Effects of Diabetes and as you
have read and might have noticed that most of these are preventable.
It only needs a little care and precaution to control diabetes. This can
increase the proper functioning of the organs and body as a whole.
We hope that you like this article about the Ten Harmful Effects of
Diabetes on the Body. If you do, Then please do not forget to share it
with your family and friends. Also, if you have any query, do put it
across in the comments section below. We will get back to you with
another fascinating article until then, stay healthy, stay happy and
should you face any issues with diabetes, Get yourself tested for
Diabetes for sure!