Diabetes can significantly impact your quality of life as the symptoms and complications associated with the condition can make it difficult to perform daily activities and enjoy your usual hobbies and interests. For example, increased thirst, hunger, and urination can be inconvenient and disruptive to your daily routine. In addition, diabetes can require you to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen and take medications as prescribed, which can be time-consuming and expensive and may limit your social and recreational opportunities. However, Humble, TX critical care medicine can optimize your health, enabling you to live a fulfilling life. If left untreated, diabetes results in severe complications that can further impact your quality of life.
Signature symptoms of diabetes
One of the most prevalent symptoms of diabetes is increased thirst and urination, which occurs because your body is trying to flush out excess glucose in your blood. You may constantly feel thirsty and need to urinate more frequently, especially at night, which can lead to dehydration. Another symptom of diabetes is increased hunger. Because your body isn’t using glucose properly, it may not get the energy it needs to function properly. As a result, you may feel hungry more often or experience sudden hunger pangs. Consequently, you may lose weight as your body breaks down fat and muscle for energy. Other symptoms of diabetes may include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your limbs, slow healing of cuts or wounds, and frequent infections.
How insulin works
Insulin is a hormone that plays a critical role in managing blood sugar levels. It helps transport glucose from the blood into the cells, where it is broken down for energy or stored for later use. In people with diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body doesn’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels. Insulin therapy is a common diabetes treatment involving injecting insulin into your body to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Insulin therapy helps you manage your symptoms by increasing glucose uptake by cells and reducing the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. Additionally, it helps prevent or manage complications associated with high blood sugar, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and heart disease. Different types of insulin are available, and the type and dosage of insulin you need depends on your needs and your diabetes management plan.
Complications associated with diabetes
Diabetes can lead to many complications affecting many parts of your body, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system. These complications can develop over time and can be severe, even life-threatening. The disorder increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, as high glucose levels in the blood can damage the walls of blood vessels and make them prone to blockage. Diabetes can also damage your kidneys, lead to kidney failure, damage the nerves, and cause neuropathy, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness. Unmanaged diabetes can cause vision problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness.
To learn more about diabetes, call the North Houston Diabetes Institute office or book your spot online.