Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus can have serious complications. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that affects over 8% of the population and the rates are rapidly increasing. Diabetes is a systemic disease, which can affect virtually every structure and function of the body. Two types of diabetes can occur, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder in which the beta cells do not produce insulin and therefore the individual needs to take prescribes doses of insulin in order to thrive. Type 2 is a condition that occurs when a person becomes resistant to their own insulin due to environmental factors. This type of diabetes does not require insulin, but it does need a commitment to a healthy diet and exercise to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
When insulin cannot transfer glucose into the tissues of the body, the sugar remains in the bloodstream and no energy is transferred into the muscles, fats, and other tissues in the body. In addition to having no fuel for the body, blood glucose levels can remain high. Diabetics are always at risk for hyperglycemia-high blood sugar- due to this process and type 1 diabetics have an increased risk of hypoglycemia-low blood sugar-as they control their insulin injections. When uncontrolled diabetes mellitus occurs over an extended period, the areas of the body that are affected as well as the severity of the damage are heightened.
Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus – Ketoacidosis
When an individual with type 1 diabetes experiences symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus-low blood sugar, they can enter a ketoacidosis, which is an extremely dangerous condition. When a person has not eaten or glucose levels are low, the body will try to burn fat to convert it into energy to use as fuel. During this conversion, fatty blood acids, called ketones are released into the blood and urine. A person may also start to feel lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseous. They may notice a headache, heart palpitations, or profuse sweating. When any of these symptoms present, the individual needs to seek emergency treatment immediately. Left untreated, a person will enter into a coma and can die.
Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus – Complications
Complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus prove an extended list. Because the excess sugar in the blood can damage any vessel or organ that requires a blood supply, any nerve, organ, tissue, or cell in the body is prone to attack and impairment. Diabetic patients have symptoms and risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low good cholesterol and many suffer from coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Eighty percent of patients develop diabetic retinopathy, which impairs their vision and some will eventually go blind. Many individuals develop a variety of conditions, including widespread nerve and muscle pain, foot ulcers, headaches, and reflux in addition to tingling and numbness. Other individuals may have issues with their bowels, liver, and kidneys. Some people will eventually require a kidney transplant.
