Diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease whose main characteristic is high blood sugar. Long-term high blood sugar can cause damage to multiple systems of the body, causing multiple complications. These complications can be classified as acute and chronic.
Typical symptoms of diabetes
The typical symptoms of diabetes are called “more than three”, i.e., overdrinking, eating, urinating and weight loss. In addition, patients may experience signs of thirst, fatigue, skin itching and blurred vision. These symptoms reflect the inefficiency of the glucose in the body, resulting in the need for the body to remove excess sugar by increasing the amount of urine.
Acute complications of diabetes
Acute complications are usually associated with dramatic changes in blood sugar levels, including:
DKA: A high incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes caused by severe insulin deficiency, the body began to decompose fat to gain energy, creating a large quantity of ketone, leading to metabolic acid poisoning.
High permeability non-ketone coma: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes can occur at very high blood sugar levels, in the form of severe dehydration and coma.
Low blood sugar: Often caused by excessive use of insulin or sugar medicine, which can lead to cognitive disorders or even coma.
Chronic complications of diabetes
Chronic complications are the result of the chronic lack of effective control over diabetes, affecting multiple organ systems:
Cardiovascular diseases: The risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and heart failure among diabetes patients has increased significantly. Symptoms include chest pain, heart attack and respiratory difficulties.
Cerebrovascular disease: Increased risk of stroke and short-term ischaemic haemorrhage, manifested in dizziness, incoherence and physical weakness.
Diabetes nephrhoea: chronic high blood sugar causes microvascular sclerosis of the kidney, which may lead to kidney failure. Early symptoms may not be apparent, but there can be an increase in urine foam and protein urine.
Retinal disease: high blood sugar can damage an eye vessels, which can lead to loss of sight or even blindness.
Psychopathic: high blood sugar damages the surroundings and autonomous nerves, leading to numbing of hands and feet, stings and loss of feelings.
Diabetes: Owing to neurosis and lack of blood supply, the foot is susceptible to infection, ulcer and amputation in serious cases.
Infection: High blood sugar conditions favour bacterial growth, diabetes patients are susceptible to urinary infections, skin infections, etc.
Prevention and management measures
The key to the prevention and management of diabetes complications lies in a rational diet, adequate exercise, regular medicine and self-monitoring of blood sugar. These measures effectively control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications. Periodic physical examinations, including blood sugar tests, A1C tests and C4 tests, contribute to early detection and treatment of potential health problems.
Diabetes complications are numerous and complex, and early identification and active management are key. Patients should pay increased attention to their own health and should be treated in a timely manner to avoid deterioration.
