How Does Diabetes Affect the Body

How Does Diabetes Affect the Body
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in the level of blood sugar. A consistently high level of blood sugar can have serious consequences for various parts of the body, including the vital organs like the heart and the kidneys. This Buzzle article will give a brief idea about how this metabolic disorder can affect the body.

Diabetes usually refers to diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. This condition can be caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin, or a failure of the body cells to respond to insulin. Insulin is the hormone secreted by the beta cell of the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas. This hormone enables the body cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream.

The pancreas is responsible for monitoring the level of blood sugar, and supply insulin accordingly so as to maintain the level of blood sugar within the normal range. The excess glucose present in the bloodstream is converted into fats and then stored in the adipose tissues. On the other hand, when enough glucose is not present in the body, the body breaks down stored fats to produce energy.

A deficiency of insulin, or an inability of the body cells to respond to insulin can cause the level of blood sugar to rise. Diabetes and an abnormally high level of blood glucose level can lead to several complications over a period of time. A consistently high blood sugar level due to uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes can affect the blood vessels and the nerves. This disease can literally affect any part of the body.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is mainly classified into three types - type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, of which type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the lack of insulin due to the failure of the body to produce this hormone. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body cells to use or respond to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance.

Along with insulin resistance, insulin insufficiency can be associated with type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is the condition that develops during pregnancy. Irrespective of the type, diabetes causes a rise in the level of blood sugar, which can ultimately affect several parts of the body, and cause a number of health problems.

Effects of High Blood Sugar on the Body

The normal range for blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL when fasting, and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after having a meal. The effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on the body are more or less similar, as both the conditions increase the level of sugar in blood or cause hyperglycemia. In the long run, a consistently high level of blood sugar can affect the entire body.

However, certain parts of the body are more likely to be adversely affected by this condition. The presence of excess sugar in blood makes the red blood cells stiff, which in turn, impairs the circulation of blood. It can also cause deposition of fats inside the blood vessels. It has been observed that the tiny and fragile blood vessels of the kidneys, eyes, and the feet are more likely to get damaged due to hyperglycemia.

Effects on the Kidneys

Untreated diabetes can affect the functions of the kidneys adversely, and cause diabetic nephropathy over a period of time. In nephropathy, the tiny blood vessels of the kidneys get damaged. High blood sugar levels make the kidneys filter more blood, and this extra workload can eventually take a toll on the kidneys and compromise their ability to filter blood.

Hyperglycemia can also increase the levels of certain chemicals in the kidneys. These chemicals can make the tiny filters or glomeruli of the kidneys leaky. As a result, the affected individual starts losing proteins in urine. Additionally, hyperglycemia can cause cross-linking of proteins, which can cause scarring of the glomeruli. As a result, the kidneys fail to filter waste products effectively, which can eventually lead to kidney failure.

Effects on the Eyes

The tiny and fragile blood vessels present in the retina can get damaged, if the level of blood sugar remains consistently high for a long period of time. The small capillaries of the retina can weaken and swell to such an extent that they collapse. Though new blood vessels do develop, most of them are defective, for which they fail to contain the leakage of blood and fluid. This can cause diabetes retinopathy, one of the many complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes. Moreover, diabetes can cause swelling of the lens, which can affect vision. Hyperglycemia can also cause blurred vision, and increase the risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and even blindness.

Effects on the Heart and the Cardiovascular System

Diabetes can significantly increase the risk of coronary artery disease, heart disease, and cardiovascular diseases in the long run. This condition can cause the deposition of fatty materials inside the wall of the blood vessels. This can clog the blood vessels and make them hard or stiff. This condition can eventually impair the circulation of blood through the blood vessels, and cause hypertension or high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, cerebral vascular disease, and strokes.

Effects on the Nerves

Neuropathy or nerve damage is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes. The nerve damage associated with diabetes is known as diabetic neuropathy. The presence of excess sugar in the blood can damage the small blood vessels that supply blood to the nerves.

The nerves present in the extremities of the body, such as the nerves of the legs, hands, and the feet are more susceptible to this condition. This condition can affect all peripheral nerves, as well as the autonomic nervous system. Diabetic neuropathy can produce several symptoms, like tingling and numbness in the legs, hands, and the feet, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary problems, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.

Effects on the Skin, Bones, and Feet

People having diabetes are more likely to suffer from skin conditions like fungal and bacterial infections, along with bone and joint problems like osteoporosis. As mentioned already, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and the blood vessels, especially those present in the extremities of the body. This can eventually cause several foot problems, and loss of sensation in the feet. Even minor injuries to the feet, like blisters, sores, and cuts can become serious infections, as the supply of oxygen and blood to the feet can get disrupted. A severe infection can sometimes necessitate foot or leg amputation.

Apart from the aforementioned health problems, untreated or uncontrolled diabetes can cause diabetic acidosis. Diabetic acidosis is the condition where ketones accumulate in the body. When the body cells fail to absorb and utilize glucose, they turn to fats for deriving energy. The breakdown of fats generates ketones as byproducts. The accumulation of a large amount of ketones can increase the acidity of blood and the tissues. This can lead to serious complications, if not treated immediately. The treatment of diabetes includes both medications and lifestyle modifications. Effective management of diabetes is possible only when medications are combined with a proper diet, weight management, and regular exercise or physical activity.