Life-threatening complications & how to deal with them

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects adults and children alike. It happens due to the body losing its ability to control blood sugar levels, namely, glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for the brain and for the cells that make up our body. Once the body loses its control over blood sugar, many of the body’s core functions will be broken, proceeding toward a lot of critical health problems There are two types of diabetes: The first type is due to genetic or environmental factors. Symptoms of diabetes begin to appear suddenly at any age. In this case, the pancreas produces small amounts of insulin or stops producing it as it’s the hormone that is responsible for treating glucose in the body naturally. The treatment for this type of disease is to take insulin forever. The second type is the most common one as it usually appears in individuals after the age of thirty, and the chances of diabetes increase as they age. This type is also known as "insulin resistant." This happens because of the body's inability to use insulin naturally. Even though the pancreas continues to produce enough insulin, the body's ability to use its own energy source, glucose, decreases effectively. Here it must be mentioned that obesity is one of the most important causes that lead to being affected by the second type of diabetes, as it has been proven that between 80-90% of patients are overweight. Complications that shouldn’t be ignored As is the case with many common diseases that do not stop at a specific limit, diabetes gradually develops with patients over time and by neglecting necessary health care for it. Until it invades every sound part of the body causing complications that threaten diabetics' lives near and far. Most of these complications are focused as a direct effect of causing damage to blood vessels and obstruction of blood flow with disturbances and disruptions in many organs functions. The most important of which are the following: 1. Heart and blood vessels disorders: High levels of blood sugar damage and block the blood vessels controlling the heart, making it so that the heart is unable to perform its functions in transferring blood throughout the body. This exposes diabetic patients to the risk of heart attack and stroke. The most popular heart diseases for diabetics are atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. The risk of heart disease and stroke is doubled in adult diabetes patients when compared to others by 2 to 4 times. 2. Nerve damage: High blood sugar increases the risk of malfunction and damage to the walls of the small blood vessels. These are the capillaries that supply nerves, especially at the tips of a patient's toes or hands. Neglecting this case and leaving it without treatment increases deterioration, and the patient will lose sensation in the affected parts as well as bring about the occurrence of inflammation. If not treated, this will lead to tissue death and amputation of the affected limb (gangrene). 3. Eye damage and retinopathy: It is one of the complications that affect diabetics as a result of losing control of sugar levels in their blood, blocking the tiny blood vessels that feed the retina and cutting off its blood supply. Patients are initially exposed to slight vision problems and over time, this problem intensifies. Eventually ends up with complete blindness, or cataracts and glaucoma (blue water). 4. Nephropathy: Diabetics with high blood sugar are usually accompanied by high blood pressure, which directly affects the essential functions of the kidneys, a result of an imbalance in the precise filtration system of blood vessels that the kidneys contain - which are responsible for purifying the blood. In the end, the kidneys become unable to dispose of fluids and litter, causing kidney failure and the necessity of dialysis or even a kidney transplant. 5. Sensory and visual hearing impairment: The damage of blood vessels and nerves associated with diabetes leads to effects on the nervous system, including hearing, as there is damage to the nerves of the inner ear causing the inability to transmit signals to the brain. This gradual hearing loss may not be noticed by the patient until there is almost a complete loss of hearing in some cases. Healthy lifestyle: Managing diabetes is a big responsibility that significantly impacts patients’ bodies, their mental and physical health, and their everyday life. There is no magical cure for diabetes, but personal decisions must be made, and organized plans must be followed in order to treat it effectively. This is first done by preventing the dangerous complications caused by diabetes. The choice of choosing a healthy treatment program is the best solution that combats bad habits and other factors exacerbating the disease, such as: 1. Monitoring blood glucose levels to ensure that levels are maintained as close to as normal as possible. 2. Organizing medical visits and continuous examinations at least four times a year, complying with prescriptions and following the doctor's instructions. 3. Following a healthy diet based on reducing sugar, carbohydrates, and fats that raise blood sugar levels. Focus on high-fiber foods instead. 4. Sports and physical activities play a vital role in maintaining a patient’s weight and improving their psychological health. 5. Quit smoking in order to avoid high blood pressure, thus improving lung function and heart performance while reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. 6. Fighting tension and stress by changing bad habits to deal with life stresses and replacing them with effective ways that are relaxing and comfortable, as well as practicing continuous yoga and meditation exercises that help to avoid high blood sugar levels caused by tension and stress. 7. Controlling blood cholesterol levels by eating foods that are high in fat. 8. Paying attention to any signs that warn of dangerous complications, such as gum disease, wounds and pimples in the feet, blurry vision for more than two days, frequent urination, and leg cramps We must never forget that health is the greatest blessing from God to humans. Without our health, we lose the value of our existence, thus obligating us to maintain it.