12 Signs Your Diabetes Is Worsening

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects blood glucose levels as it affects insulin production in your body. You can manage the symptoms of diabetes by following the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. However, if you do not manage your blood sugar levels well, it can lead to uncontrolled diabetes, which can have life-threatening complications like kidney damage, heart disease and stroke.

There are several signs suggestive of uncontrolled diabetes, some of which may require immediate medical attention. Before we get to know the signs of uncontrolled diabetes, let us learn about the symptoms of diabetes and its distinct types.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The three main types of diabetes are:

• Type 1 diabetes: The body of people with type 1 diabetes does not produce insulin due to the destruction of pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Individuals with type 1 diabetes may experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination and the condition can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs in children and teens.
• Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells in your body become insulin resistant and do not respond to this hormone. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes don’t show up for years; in fact, in some instances, the affected individuals don’t experience any symptoms. Type 2 diabetes starts mostly in adulthood and symptoms take years to show up.
• Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes during pregnancy occurs when some pregnant women develop insulin resistance; however, not all pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes doesn’t have any specific symptoms.

The commonly observed symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent thirst
• Need to urinate frequently
• Weight loss
• Incessant hunger
• Blurry vision
• Exhaustion
• Dry skin
• Numbness/ tingling sensation in the hands and feet
• Slow healing
• Frequent infections

If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to reach out to your healthcare provider. These symptoms may subside with the proper management of diabetes; however, if diabetes is left untreated, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause some major complications. Let us understand these complications and their signs one by one.

Signs Your Diabetes Is Worsening

Elevated blood glucose levels are a frequent consequence of unmanaged diabetes. Over time, high blood glucose levels cause severe damage to various body systems, with a particular impact on the nerves and blood vessels.

Elevated blood glucose levels may also lead to some life-threatening complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Let us unravel the 12 signs of worsening diabetes one by one.

Acute Complications includes:

1. Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state: This state may develop when your blood sugar levels stay very high (more than 600 milligrams per decilitre) for a long period. It can lead to severe dehydration and confusion and may require immediate medical attention. Usually, this is seen in Type-2 Diabetics.

2. Diabetes-related ketoacidosis: This occurs in individuals with type 1 diabetes when the body doesn’t get insulin for a prolonged period and is unable to utilise glucose for energy. This causes the body to start breaking down fats to generate energy. The breakdown of fats releases ketones in your blood, turning it acidic. The signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include difficulty in breathing, vomiting and loss of consciousness.

Chronic complications includes:

3. Problems with eyesight: Prolonged elevated blood glucose levels may cause eye problems such as trouble seeing (can affect night vision), developing light sensitivity, or losing your eyesight completely.

4. Heart and blood vessel conditions: Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the heart. If that occurs along with increased cholesterol levels, it may lead to conditions like heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, and other blood vessel problems.

5. Frequent infections and delayed healing: Diabetes can delay the healing of wounds or infections in the body, frequently seen in the foot region. It may also cause nerve damage in the foot. A combination of these two pathologies leads to tissue damage and death of tissue in the foot, which may eventually require amputation.

6. Gastrointestinal issues: You may have trouble with indigestion, constipation or loose and watery stools.

7. Nerve damage (neuropathy): Neuropathy signs include burning sensation, pain, tingling or loss of feeling in a body part. Sometimes nerve damage may make it harder for men to have an erection.

8. Kidney damage: This may be caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels. Damaged kidneys may not work as they used to or may even stop working completely, requiring you to undergo dialysis.

9. Reduced immunity: A weakened immune system may be a consequence of uncontrolled diabetes, and it makes you more prone to severe complications and infections.

10. Bone disease: Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to bone conditions like osteoporosis (porous, weakened bones), which may lead to pain and bone fracture.

11. Dementia and depression: Depression and dementia may often be consequences of prolonged diabetes.

12. Problems with the reproductive system: Erectile dysfunction is commonly seen in males which chronic uncontrolled diabetes.

Conclusion

If you notice any of these complications or signs, they indicate that your diabetes has worsened or is not being managed adequately and call for immediate medical attention. To prevent these risks/complications, your blood sugar levels should be under control from the moment you have a diagnosis of diabetes.

You are now aware of the signs that indicate worsening diabetes and their potential life-threatening consequences. Controlling your blood sugar levels with self-monitoring and care along with anti-diabetic medication or insulin is a must to prevent complications.

Ask your doctor or nurse to train you so that you become more confident about pursuing the recommended treatment.