Introduction
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is too high. Diabetes can also occur when your body does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin it produces properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate the amount of glucose in your blood. If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious health complications, such as organ damage and even death. In this article, we’ll discuss what happens if you have untreated diabetes.
High Blood Sugar
The most common symptom of diabetes is high blood sugar. This means your body is unable to regulate the amount of glucose in your blood. High blood sugar can lead to a variety of symptoms, including increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. Over time, high blood sugar can cause serious damage to your organs, including your kidneys, heart, and eyes.
Low Blood Sugar
In addition to high blood sugar, untreated diabetes can also cause low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin it produces properly. Low blood sugar can cause a variety of symptoms, including confusion, dizziness, and difficulty focusing. If left untreated, low blood sugar can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.
Weight Loss
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause weight loss. This is because your body is unable to break down glucose and use it for energy. As a result, your body begins to break down fat and muscle for energy, leading to weight loss. Weight loss is a common symptom of diabetes, but it can also be a sign of other medical conditions. If you’re experiencing unexplained weight loss, it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis.
Chronic Complications
Over time, untreated diabetes can cause chronic complications. These complications can include heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney damage, and eye damage. Chronic complications can be life-threatening and can be difficult to treat. Therefore, it’s important to work with your doctor to manage your diabetes and prevent these complications from occurring.
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome
Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to a condition called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). This is a serious condition in which blood sugar levels become very high. HHNS can cause confusion, dehydration, and even coma. If left untreated, HHNS can be life-threatening. Therefore, if you’re experiencing signs of HHNS, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is another complication of untreated diabetes. This is a condition in which the stomach empties slowly, leading to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Gastroparesis can also cause weight loss and malnutrition. Treatment for gastroparesis usually involves dietary changes and medications. If left untreated, gastroparesis can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that can occur in people with diabetes. DKA occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin it produces properly. As a result, your body begins to break down fat for energy, leading to a buildup of ketones in the blood. DKA can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and confusion. If left untreated, DKA can lead to coma and even death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, untreated diabetes can cause a variety of serious health complications, including high blood sugar, low blood sugar, weight loss, chronic complications, HHNS, gastroparesis, and DKA. Therefore, it’s important to work with your doctor to manage your diabetes and prevent these complications from occurring. By doing so, you can help ensure your long-term health and wellbeing.