How does diabetes affect my cardiovascular system, and what can I do to reduce the risk of heart-related complications associated with diabetes?

Diabetes can significantly impact the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of heart-related complications. Here’s how diabetes affects the cardiovascular system and what you can do to reduce these risks: How Diabetes Affects the Cardiovascular System: Increased Risk of Atherosclerosis: Diabetes can lead to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can narrow and block arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart (coronary artery disease) and other vital organs. High Blood Pressure: Many individuals with diabetes also have high blood pressure (hypertension), which further strains the heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Reducing the Risk of Heart-Related Complications: Manage Blood Sugar Levels: Keep your blood sugar within your target range as advised by your healthcare provider. Regular monitoring, medication or insulin as prescribed, and lifestyle modifications can help achieve better control. Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Consume a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. Consider working with a registered dietitian to create a personalized meal plan.

Can diabetes impact my oral health, and what are the best practices for maintaining good dental hygiene when living with diabetes?

Yes, diabetes can impact oral health, and individuals living with diabetes need to pay special attention to their dental hygiene. Here’s how diabetes can affect oral health and some best practices for maintaining good dental hygiene: How Diabetes Impacts Oral Health: Increased Risk of Gum Disease: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease (periodontal disease). Elevated blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off infections, including those in the gums. Dry Mouth: Diabetes can lead to reduced saliva production, resulting in dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva helps cleanse the mouth and neutralize acids, so a lack of it can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Slower Healing: Diabetes can slow down the body’s ability to heal, including oral tissues. This can lead to delayed recovery after dental procedures or injuries. Thrush: Individuals with poorly controlled diabetes are more susceptible to oral yeast infections like thrush (candidiasis). Best Practices for Dental Hygiene with Diabetes: Control Blood Sugar: One of the most critical factors in maintaining oral health with diabetes is keeping blood sugar levels well-controlled. Work closely with your healthcare team to manage your diabetes through medication, diet, and lifestyle. Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings with your dentist. Inform them about your diabetes diagnosis so they can tailor your care accordingly. Monitor Oral Health: Be vigilant about oral hygiene and check your mouth regularly for signs of gum disease or other issues, such as bleeding gums, redness, or swelling. Brush and Floss: Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth and along the gumline.

What is diabetic neuropathy, and what steps can I take to prevent or manage this common complication of diabetes that affects the nervous system?

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that affects the nervous system. It occurs when high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time damage the nerves, particularly those in the extremities, such as the feet and hands. Diabetic neuropathy can cause various symptoms and complications, including numbness, tingling, pain, and impaired muscle function. Here’s an overview of diabetic neuropathy and steps you can take to prevent or manage it: Types of Diabetic Neuropathy: Peripheral Neuropathy: This is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy and affects the nerves in the feet and legs. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and loss of sensation in the affected areas. Autonomic Neuropathy: This type affects the nerves that control involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and bladder function. Symptoms may include heart rhythm abnormalities, gastrointestinal issues, and urinary problems. Proximal Neuropathy: Also known as diabetic amyotrophy or radiculoplexus neuropathy, this type affects the nerves in the thighs, hips, and buttocks. It can cause severe pain and muscle weakness. Focal Neuropathy: Focal neuropathy is characterized by sudden and localized nerve damage that can affect specific muscles, causing weakness or pain. It often occurs suddenly and may improve over time. Prevention and Management: Blood Sugar Control: The most crucial step in preventing and managing diabetic neuropathy is maintaining good blood sugar control. Follow your diabetes management plan, which may include medication, insulin, dietary changes, and regular monitoring. Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels as advised by your healthcare provider. This helps ensure that your diabetes management plan is effective. Foot Care: If you have peripheral neuropathy, take extra care of your feet. Inspect them daily for any cuts, blisters, or injuries that you may not feel due to reduced sensation. Keep your feet clean and moisturized, and wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes to prevent pressure sores. Pain Management: If you experience pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, consult your healthcare provider. They can recommend medications or treatments to help manage pain, such as certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or pain-relief creams.

Diabetes and its effects on your body

by admin
Updated: 02 September, 2022
Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most widespread diseases and it is even recognized to be a global pandemic. A good thing about this epidemic is that if you diagnose it early, you can keep it at bay and not let it affect your daily life. This article will tell you how diabetes can affect different parts of your body and how to look out for it.

Why do you get diabetes? (Diabetes and its effects on your body)

Glucose is the main source of energy and insulin (a compound produced by the pancreas) is what transports it throughout the body. When the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, some glucose ends up being stagnant in blood, never making it to the organs. This is when you observe high blood sugar and when it crosses the healthy levels (over 126 mg/dL in fasting), it is diabetes.

Diabetes and its effects on your body | Vinita Hospital

Effects of diabetes on your body

Heart

Diabetes can increase the risk of heart diseases by affecting nerves and blood vessels. If the blood pressure is also high, constant monitoring and a shift to a healthy lifestyle are required. It is advised that you take tests annually or twice a year to check your blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Nerves

Diabetes can cause the hardening of blood vessels due to which blood circulation can get affected. It is also called diabetic neuropathy and it mostly affects your feet and legs. If left unnoticed, it can cause serious health issues.

Consult a doctor immediately if a cut or sore on your foot takes long to heal or is getting infected. Other symptoms to watch out for are sensations like burning, pain, or weakness in your limbs that affect your daily life, dizziness, or changes in digestion, urination, or sexual function.

Kidneys

As the blood purifier of the body, diabetes can have harmful effects on the kidneys. When a person has diabetes, the kidneys have to work harder than usual to purify the blood. Over time, they wear out and the blood cells in it get damaged, narrowed, and clogged. This is called diabetic nephropathy. If not taken care of properly, it can lead to the loss of kidney function.

If you are looking for a diabetologist near you who can provide treatment for nephropathy, come to Vinita Hospital. Especially if you have the following symptoms:

Swelling in feet, ankles, hands, or eyes
Increased need to urinate
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Confusion or difficulty while concentrating
Persistent itching, nausea, or vomiting.

This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms and you might not see any symptoms at all at the early stages. Many identify it through periodical check-up only.

Skin

Sometimes one might experience skin conditions due to diabetes and it is called diabetic dermopathy. It is not an alarming condition of diabetes yet it should be given attention as it directly reflects the level of blood sugar. Watch out for symptoms like pigmented patches on the skin that are itchy or painful, dark areas on the skin that feels like velvet, hard or thickening skin, blisters, and the outbreak of small bumps.

Eyes

If diabetes is left unmanaged, it can affect one’s eye. While the early symptoms include blurriness, dark areas of vision, difficulty identifying colors, and floaters, it can lead to blindness. But as long as you manage your diabetes well, you needn’t be worried.

As you can see, the majority of health issues that occur because of diabetes can be prevented or controlled through proper diabetes management. The first step in the treatment of diabetic patients is the diagnosis and constant monitoring of the blood sugar level. Reading about diabetes on the internet can be overwhelming as there is too much information and not everything will apply to you.

Get proper diabetes care from diabetes screening to diabetes management at Vinita Hospital. If you are looking for the best diabetes hospital in Chennai, come to Vinita Hospital for healthcare that is trusted by patients.

Frequently asked questions

Diabetes can significantly impact the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of heart-related complications. Here’s how diabetes affects the cardiovascular system and what you can do to reduce these risks:

How Diabetes Affects the Cardiovascular System:

Increased Risk of Atherosclerosis: Diabetes can lead to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can narrow and block arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart (coronary artery disease) and other vital organs.
High Blood Pressure: Many individuals with diabetes also have high blood pressure (hypertension), which further strains the heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease.

Reducing the Risk of Heart-Related Complications:

Manage Blood Sugar Levels: Keep your blood sugar within your target range as advised by your healthcare provider. Regular monitoring, medication or insulin as prescribed, and lifestyle modifications can help achieve better control.
Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Consume a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. Consider working with a registered dietitian to create a personalized meal plan.

Yes, diabetes can impact oral health, and individuals living with diabetes need to pay special attention to their dental hygiene. Here’s how diabetes can affect oral health and some best practices for maintaining good dental hygiene:

How Diabetes Impacts Oral Health:

Increased Risk of Gum Disease: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease (periodontal disease). Elevated blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off infections, including those in the gums.
Dry Mouth: Diabetes can lead to reduced saliva production, resulting in dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva helps cleanse the mouth and neutralize acids, so a lack of it can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.
Slower Healing: Diabetes can slow down the body’s ability to heal, including oral tissues. This can lead to delayed recovery after dental procedures or injuries.
Thrush: Individuals with poorly controlled diabetes are more susceptible to oral yeast infections like thrush (candidiasis).

Best Practices for Dental Hygiene with Diabetes:

Control Blood Sugar: One of the most critical factors in maintaining oral health with diabetes is keeping blood sugar levels well-controlled. Work closely with your healthcare team to manage your diabetes through medication, diet, and lifestyle.
Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings with your dentist. Inform them about your diabetes diagnosis so they can tailor your care accordingly.
Monitor Oral Health: Be vigilant about oral hygiene and check your mouth regularly for signs of gum disease or other issues, such as bleeding gums, redness, or swelling.
Brush and Floss: Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth and along the gumline.

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that affects the nervous system. It occurs when high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time damage the nerves, particularly those in the extremities, such as the feet and hands. Diabetic neuropathy can cause various symptoms and complications, including numbness, tingling, pain, and impaired muscle function. Here’s an overview of diabetic neuropathy and steps you can take to prevent or manage it:

Types of Diabetic Neuropathy:

Peripheral Neuropathy: This is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy and affects the nerves in the feet and legs. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and loss of sensation in the affected areas.
Autonomic Neuropathy: This type affects the nerves that control involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and bladder function. Symptoms may include heart rhythm abnormalities, gastrointestinal issues, and urinary problems.
Proximal Neuropathy: Also known as diabetic amyotrophy or radiculoplexus neuropathy, this type affects the nerves in the thighs, hips, and buttocks. It can cause severe pain and muscle weakness.
Focal Neuropathy: Focal neuropathy is characterized by sudden and localized nerve damage that can affect specific muscles, causing weakness or pain. It often occurs suddenly and may improve over time.

Prevention and Management:

Blood Sugar Control: The most crucial step in preventing and managing diabetic neuropathy is maintaining good blood sugar control. Follow your diabetes management plan, which may include medication, insulin, dietary changes, and regular monitoring.
Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels as advised by your healthcare provider. This helps ensure that your diabetes management plan is effective.
Foot Care: If you have peripheral neuropathy, take extra care of your feet. Inspect them daily for any cuts, blisters, or injuries that you may not feel due to reduced sensation. Keep your feet clean and moisturized, and wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes to prevent pressure sores.
Pain Management: If you experience pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, consult your healthcare provider. They can recommend medications or treatments to help manage pain, such as certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or pain-relief creams.