Most of the effects of diabetes are namely high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and a lack of blood glucose control..
When uncontrolled or undiagnosed, the effects of diabetes on your body can be noticed by the simple symptoms, namely:
Having high blood sugar can cause complications related to diabetes, like chronic foot problems, kidney disease, eye disease (retinopathy), non-traumatic lower limb (leg, foot, toe, etc.) amputation that can lead to heart attack, stroke, anxiety, blindness, erectile dysfunction (men) and nerve damage.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used as energy. About five to 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes generally develops in childhood or adolescence, but can develop in adulthood.
Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. Meal planning also helps with keeping blood sugar at the right levels.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released (called insulin insensitivity) or does not make enough insulin. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used as energy. About 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes more often develops in adults, but children can be affected.
Depending on the severity of type 2 diabetes, it may be managed through physical activity and meal planning, or may also require medications and/or insulin to control blood sugar more effectively.
Doctors can determine whether a patient has a diabetes in one of three different ways – there are three possible tests: