If you have diabetes mellitus, you probably already know how important it is to manage your blood sugar (glucose) levels. But you may not know that diabetes affects your whole body, not just your blood sugar.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause serious health problems, especially if your blood sugar stays too high for too long. Diabetes can affect your eyes, nerves, heart, kidneys, skin and more.
Healthy habits, regular checkups and good blood sugar control can help you prevent dangerous complications.
What happens when diabetes isn’t managed well?
Diabetes that’s not treated or controlled properly can lead to long-term complications throughout your body. Over time, swings in your blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and nerves. This damage can affect your ability to see, feel, heal and even think clearly.
These issues do not usually happen overnight. They build slowly over the years.
“For people living with type 2 diabetes it typically takes five to 10 or more years for complications to become noticeable. This is why many people do not see the need to manage their blood sugar levels until complications arise. People with poorly managed type 1 diabetes usually develop complications sooner, since blood sugar swings are more common,” said Elise Marrs, a registered dietitian with Banner - University Medicine.
How can diabetes affect your body?
Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to health issues in different areas of your body:
Eyes
Diabetic retinopathy can damage the blood vessels in your eyes. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness in adults.
Mouth and gums
Changes in saliva and a weaker immune system can increase plaque and inflammation and raise your risk of gum disease and oral infections.
Heart and blood vessels
Diabetes raises your chances of cardiovascular disease, heart disease and stroke. High blood sugar damages the lining of your heart and blood vessels over time. You are two times as likely to have high blood pressure if you have diabetes, which further raises your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Kidneys
Diabetic nephropathy is a condition that happens when your kidneys are overworked. It can lead to kidney failure, may require dialysis and can be life threatening.
Nerves and feet
Diabetic neuropathy causes nerve damage, especially in your legs and feet. You may feel pain, numbness or tingling and you may not notice injuries that could lead to serious infections or even amputation.
You might treat the pain with medication at first, but over time you can lose feeling in your feet. “Walking barefoot can be dangerous if the feeling in your feet is limited,” Marrs said. You may develop wounds that do not heal, which can increase your risk of amputation.
Skin and immune system
You may have dry or itchy skin, slow-healing cuts, calluses and frequent infections. Your immune system may not respond as quickly, making it harder to fight off infection.
Sexual health and bladder
Damage to nerves and blood vessels can interfere with sexual function and cause erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness. Nerve damage from diabetes can affect your ability to control your bladder.
Even if you do not have symptoms, these health problems can develop silently, making regular screenings and prevention important. Learn more about the complications of diabetes and how Banner Health can help.
Who is at higher risk for these problems?
You may be more likely to develop these complications if you:
- Have poorly managed blood sugar levels
- Also have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Smoke or are inactive
- Eat a diet high in ultra-processed foods or sugar, including foods like fast food, frozen meals, snack foods and pastries
- Have a family history of diabetes-related conditions like heart disease or kidney problems
- Aren’t exposed to much sunlight, since vitamin D plays a role in insulin sensitivity and many people with diabetes have low vitamin D levels
- Don’t sleep well, since sleep is when your body repairs itself, helps lower stress levels and regulates the hormones that signal when you’re hungry or full
- Have sleep apnea, which stresses your body and increases insulin resistance
What steps can you take to stay healthy?
The best way to lower your risk of developing diabetes complications is to stay on top of your diabetes. These small steps can make a big difference in preventing serious health issues down the road.
Manage blood sugar
“The best thing to do to avoid complications is to be proactive and put some energy and time into learning to manage your glucose levels,” Marrs said.
Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. For close monitoring, wearable devices called continuous glucose monitors can check your blood sugar levels frequently.
Managing your A1c level, which measures your glucose over time, is also important. “Most people should aim for an A1c level under 7.0, though goals can differ,” Marrs said.
Reduce other risk factors
Increased glucose levels are only partly responsible for the higher heart disease and stroke risk common in people with diabetes. Controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol is also important. You might need medication for your blood pressure or cholesterol even if they are only slightly elevated, since the goals are different if you have diabetes.
Make healthy lifestyle changes
“People often don’t appreciate the lifestyle part enough when it comes to managing diabetes,” Marrs said.
- Focus on nutrition. Eat balanced meals with fewer processed carbs and fewer overall calories if you need to lose weight.
- Get regular exercise. Just 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week can help control blood glucose and improve heart health.
- Avoid smoking.
- Aim to get at least seven hours of good quality sleep a night.
Prioritize your health
Keep up with wellness checks like eye exams, dental visits and wellness exams. Check your skin and feet regularly so you can quickly treat any health problems that crop up and catch complications early.
Living well with diabetes: You’re not alone
Living with diabetes does not have to be overwhelming. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes you can live a full, active life, especially when you take charge of your health.
Knowing the risks is the first step to avoiding them. Remember, long-term complications do not have to be inevitable.
At Banner Health, our care teams can help you manage your diabetes. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for years, we are here to support you. Find a provider near you or talk to an expert at Banner Health today.
