Diabetes Management

Management of Uncontrolled Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It’s also your brain’s main source of fuel.

The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type. But, no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in your blood. Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes usually happens in childhood. In this type, scientists believe that the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and the pancreas can no longer produce insulin. The symptoms often appear suddenly. Type 2 diabetes is more common after the age of 45 years, and symptoms appear gradually. Many people do not know they have type 2 diabetes, and so they do not take measures to manage it. In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot use insulin properly. In time, it may stop producing insulin

Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. And prediabetes is often the precursor of diabetes unless appropriate measures are taken to prevent progression. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy but may resolve after the baby is delivered.

Symptoms of Diabetes:

Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how much your blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may sometimes not experience symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:

  1. Increased thirst
  2. Frequent urination
  3. Extreme hunger
  4. Unexplained weight loss
  5. Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a by-product of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there’s not enough available insulin)
  6. Fatigue
  7. Irritability
  8. Blurred vision
  9. Slow-healing sores
  10. Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, though it often appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age, though it’s more common in people older than 40.

When to see a doctor

If you suspect you or your child may have diabetes. If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, contact your doctor. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes. After you receive your diagnosis, you’ll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.

What is uncontrolled Diabetes?

Diabetes can impact a person’s quality of life, and if blood glucose levels remain high, it can also be life-threatening. Managing blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of complications. People who do not manage their diabetes are at risk of dangerously high blood glucose. This can trigger a cascade of symptoms, ranging from mood changes to organ damage. Uncontrolled diabetes means your blood sugar levels are too high, even if you’re treating it. And you may have symptoms such as peeing more often, being thirsty a lot, and having other problems related to your diabetes. There are ten signs of uncontrolled diabetes

  1. High blood glucose
  2. Infections
  3. Urination
  4. Thirst
  5. Appetite
  6. Weight loss
  7. Fruity breath
  8. Kidney problems
  9. Cardiovascular symptoms
  10. Tingling or numbness

.

Insulin problems can cause a person to have too much sugar in their blood, and this can result in a number of complications. A person who recognizes the signs and symptoms can getting an early diagnosis and take action to prevent complications from arising. The following are 10 signs that a person needs help with their treatment for diabetes. Anyone experiencing them should consult a doctor promptly.

  1. High blood glucose: The clearest indication of uncontrolled diabetes is a high blood glucose reading. High blood glucose readings are the most obvious sign that diabetes needs attention. When a person works out their treatment plan with their doctor, the doctor will advise them on their target glucose levels. These can vary between people. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) note that healthy blood sugar levels are usually:
    • before meals: 70–130 mg/dl
    • two hours after eating: under 180 mg/dl

The correct use of diabetes medication and lifestyle changes can usually bring blood glucose within target ranges. If blood glucose remains too high, or if it is steadily rising, the person should speak to their doctor, as they may need to adjust their treatment plan.

2. Frequent infections:High blood sugar levels can increase a person’s susceptibility to infections. A person should see a doctor if they start to have more frequent infections, or if they take longer to recover from a wound or infection than they did before. A study published in 2012 notes that people with diabetes have a higher risk of:

Yeast feeds on sugar, and so the combination of lowered immunity and high blood glucose makes people with diabetes particularly at risk from frequent yeast infections. Infections that occur with diabetes take longer to heal and can worsen more quickly than in other people. Without prompt treatment, sepsis, a life-threatening complication, can develop. Ulcers, for example on the foot, can lead to tissue death, and possibly the need for amputation. People should check regularly for skin changes and seek medical help as soon as they have any signs of an infection.

3. Increased urination: Frequent urination, or polyuria, is a common sign of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Polyuria happens when a person urinates at least 3 liters per day. This happens because the body tries to rid the blood of excess glucose. When sugar levels are high, people also drink more frequently, causing them to produce more urine.

4. Increased thirst:

People with diabetes sometimes experience polydipsia, an extreme form of thirst. This is common in type 1 diabetes, and it can also occur with type 2 when blood sugar levels are very high. High blood glucose can result in dehydration and thirst, and it can reduce the body’s ability to absorb water. A person may experience:

5. Diabetic ketoacidosis: Dehydration can contribute to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency that can arise when the body cannot access glucose for energy, and it starts to break down fat instead. Ketones are a by-product of this process. As they accumulate in the blood, they can make the blood too acidic. Symptoms of DKA include:

  • dizziness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • confusion
  • abdominal pain
  • fruity-smelling breath
  • a loss of consciousness and possibly a diabetic coma

People with diabetes who experience symptoms of DKA need immediate medical attention. DKA can be fatal, and it needs emergency hospital treatment.

6. Appetite increase without weight gain: A person with diabetes may have high blood glucose levels, but their cells cannot access this glucose to use it as energy. This happens because the body either:

  • does not produce insulin or
  • cannot use insulin correctly

Insulin is necessary for processing glucose effectively. Even if a person has high blood sugar levels, their body may lack energy. This can lead to polyphagia, in which the body triggers hunger signs as it tries to gain access to fuel. Even when a person eats, the hunger may persist, as the body continues to ask for fuel. Although there is a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes, people who have difficulty managing their diabetes may not gain weight, even when they overeat. If a person has a big appetite but does not gain weight, this suggests their body is not getting all the energy it needs from food.

7. Weight loss:

  • This inability to absorb glucose can also lead to weight loss.Whether a person with diabetes loses weight or not depends on how well the body is using glucose, and how much that person is eating. If a person appears to be overeating but still loses weight, they should see a doctor.

8. Fruity breath:

  • A person with high blood sugar levels may notice that their breath smells fruity, or very sweet. When the body cannot access glucose from the blood, due to insulin problems, the body breaks down fat for energy. This creates a chemical called acetone that can have a fruity smell. A “fruity” breath is a sign of DKA, a potentially life-threatening condition that can develop over a few hours. Anyone who has this symptom should seek medical help at once.

9. Kidney problems:

  • Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to chronic kidney disease or urinary tract infections. Over time, high glucose levels can damage the blood vessels, including those of the kidneys. As the kidneys work harder to filter the blood, kidney disease can result. People with both diabetes and kidney disease may notice:
    • very dark or bloody urine
    • frothy urine
    • pain near the kidneys in the lower back
    • chronic kidney or urinary tract infections

Kidney disease produces few or no symptoms in its early form. When symptoms appear, there may already be damage. This is one reason why it is important to know as soon as possible if diabetes is present and to manage blood sugar levels.

10. Cardiovascular symptoms:People with diabetes often have cardiovascular symptoms, such as high blood pressure. They may also have high cholesterol levels and obesity, which are risk factors for heart disease. Of all the complications of diabetes, cardiovascular disease is the one that is most likely to be fatal, according to research. Poor circulation can also contribute to slow wound healing and problems in the extremities, such as the feet. High blood pressure, chest pain, or abnormal heart rhythms are important warning signs. Whether they are due to diabetes or another condition, people should not ignore them. Diabetes increases the risk of stroke.

11. Tingling or numbness: Long-term high blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, particularly those that affect sensation in the hands or feet. If a person has numbness or tingling, they may have nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy. Some people with diabetes experience nerve pain, which can feel like electrical sensations or burning. Nerve pain can happen anywhere, but it is especially common in the feet and hands. People who experience these symptoms should contact a doctor. Redness, swelling, or warmth in the legs can indicate a medical urgency that needs immediate attention at an emergency room.

Anyone who experiences any of the above symptoms should see a doctor, as soon as they can, whether or not they have diabetes, as they may have diabetes without knowing it. The sooner a person starts to manage high blood sugar, the better chance they have of slowing its progress and reducing the risk of complications. Anyone with symptoms of DKA or chest pain should go to the emergency room without delay.