In this article we will bust some myths of complication of diabetes mellitus and answer some frequently asked questions about complication of diabetes mellitus.
Must read-complications of diabetes mellitus type1,type2,gestational dm
1. What are complication of diabetes mellitus type 2 ?
Complication of diabetes mellitus are –
ACUTE-1)DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
2)HYPERGLYCEMIA HYPEROSMOLAR STATE
3)HYPOGLYCEMIA
4)DIABETIC COMA
CHRONIC– MICROANGIOPATHY- diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy,
MACROVASCULAR- brain stroke, heart attack
IMPAIRED IMMUNE RESPONSE– wound heal slower, and may lead to non healing ulcers.
2. What are some short term and long term complication of diabetes mellitus?
Short-term complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus-1)DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
2)HYPERGLYCEMIA HYPEROSMOLAR STATE
3)HYPOGLYCEMIA
4)DIABETIC COMA
Long-term complication of diabetes mellitus – MICROANGIOPATHY- diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy,
MACROVASCULAR- brain stroke, heart attack
IMPAIRED IMMUNE RESPONSE– wound heal slower, and may lead to non healing ulcers.
3. Why do diabetics have big stomachs?
- Excess sugar in diet results in insulin resistance and excess sugar is converted by body to fats,which gets deposited in stubborn areas of body like belly and waist.
- Insulin resistance is prime reason for type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetics are advised to decrease their sugar intake. If not controlled they will keep gaining weight because of excess of fat deposition.
4. What is a dangerous blood sugar level for type 2 diabetes mellitus?
- Blood sugar level of less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal.
- Blood sugar level 100-125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is prediabetes.
- If blood sugar is more than equal to 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) on two separate occasions, then you have diabetes.
5. What is the life expectancy of someone with type 2 diabetes?
- once diagnosed if the person manages his lifestyle and eating habits along with exercise diabetes can be controlled and the person can live a normal and healthy life just like any other normal individual.
- If he does not make lifestyle changes then diabetes will progress and complications will arise decreasing the life expectancy and also quality of life.
6. What are some long term complication of diabetes mellitus?
- Long-term complications of diabetes mellitus –
- MICROANGIOPATHY- diabetic retinopathy: the retinal blood vessels get damaged.
- Nephropathy: glomerular vessels are affected.
- MACROVASCULAR- brain stroke- due to atherosclerosis of cerebral blood vessels.
- heart attack- coronary vessels are involved.
- IMPAIRED IMMUNE RESPONSE– wound heal slower, and may lead to non healing ulcers.
7. What damage does diabetes do to your body?
- The maximum damage that diabetes causes to body is due to its effect on the blood vessels.
- Increased blood glucose damages the blood vessels causing it to narrow.
- Symptoms are seen depending on which site is affected: in eyes-diabetic retinopathy, in kidneys-diabetic nephropathy, in limbs-diabetic neuropathy, in brain-stroke, in heart-heart attack etc.
8. Does Metformin help with belly fat?
- No, metformin has no role in decreasing belly fat.
- Metformin is said to cause loss in weight but its role in decreasing fat is not scientifically proven.
9. Why do diabetics get sleepy after they eat?
- Postprandial hyperglycemia causes fatigue therefore yu feel sleepy soon after sleeping.
- In normal individual this rise in sugar is combated by insulin, but in diabetic individual there is insulin resistance so there is spike in blood sugar soon after eating which causes person to feel sleepy.
10. Is 500 blood sugar dangerous?
- If blood sugar goes as high as 500 mg/dl, person might show symptoms like dizziness,easy fatiguability,irritability and might end up in hyperosmolar hyperglycemic diabetic coma.
- Prompt management and measures need to be taken to decrease hyperglycemia.
11. How do most diabetics die?which complication of diabetes mellitus are most fatal?
- Mortality related to diabetes is majorly due to macrovascular changes occuring in diabetes.
- brain stroke being one of major reason for disability and death due to diabetes and atherosclerosis.
- heart attack/myocardial infarction is also common in diabetics.
- Renal failure or end stage renal disease is another most important reason for mortality in diabetes.
12. What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?
- Diabetes effects almost all the organs in the body. The main reason for this is the increased blood glucose which can lead to damage to the blood vessels causing microangiopathy as well as macroangiopathy. And can also impair the immunity
- Microangiopathy in: kidney (Diabetic Nephropathy), nerves (diabetic neuropathy), muscles (diabetic amyotrophy), Eyes (diabetic retinopathy), intestine (diabetic gastroparesis), brain (diabetic encephalopathy), heart (cardiomyopathy), erectile dysfunction, restrictive lung disease.
- Macroangiopathy causes: heart attack, stroke, leg cramps, non healing of ulcers.
13. How can you prevent complication of diabetes mellitus?
- It is possible to prevent complications of diabetes by:
- Making changes in the diet, have small frequent meals.
- Doing exercise regularly.
- Loose weight if you are obese.
- Drink lots of water.
- Reduce amount of sugars, carbohydrates and fats in the diet.
- Take medicines regularly.
- Quit smoking.
- Examine your foot for any pricks or cuts.
- Visit the doctor regularly for follow up.
14. Can diabetes kill you suddenly?
Diabetes is a chronic condition but can kill you suddenly due to:
Heart attack, stroke, kidney failure etc these complications can be fatal and can kill a patient.
Also that in diabetics patient if not treated properly sudden death can occur due to acute complications like-
- 1)DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
- 2)HYPERGLYCEMIA HYPEROSMOLAR STATE
- 3)HYPOGLYCEMIA
- 4)DIABETIC COMA
15. How does uncontrolled diabetes affect the heart?What are complication of diabetes mellitus on heart?
- The main reason behind the diabetes affecting any of the organ is the increased sugars in blood which damages the blood vessels causing it to thicken and the lumen becomes narrow.
- The overall effect will be: reduced blood supply to heart muscles and damage to the nerves supplying the heart. This leads to heart attacks, cardiomyopathy, angina.
more articles-FAQ’s-types of diabetes mellitus 2020.
16. Can diabetes affect you sexually?
- Erectile dysfunction means that the male is unable to get an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. It occurs due to damage to the blood vessels supplying the penis.
- And also the penile nerves supply is impaired therefore cannot maintain erection.
- This can occur in other men also but men having diabetes can get this problem about 10-15 years earlier than the men without diabetes.
- Diabetes can also cause female infertility.
- It is more common in women with type 1 diabetes
- The cause for this is not known.
17. What is the most common diabetic emergency?
Most common diabetic emergency is hypoglycaemia. Which occurs due to very low blood sugar levels . If not treated immediately patient can have:
- Altered sensorium
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Seizures
- Brain damage
- And eventually death can occur.
Other common diabetic emergency are:
1)DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
2)HYPERGLYCEMIA HYPEROSMOLAR STATE
3)HYPOGLYCEMIA
4)DIABETIC COMA
18. What are dangerous blood sugar levels for diabetics?
- An increased or decrease of blood sugar level can both be dangerous.
- A blood sugar level below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) is a cause hypoglycemia which is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
- and if blood sugar goes as high as 500 mg/dl, person might show symptoms like dizziness,easy fatiguability,irritability and might end up in hyperosmolar hyperglycemic diabetic coma.
- Prompt management and measures need to be taken to decrease hyperglycemia.
Must read-complications of diabetes mellitus type1,type2,gestational dm