Ansaruddin-SEPT-OCT-2016
Magazine of Majlis Ansarullah UK
Magazine of Majlis Ansarullah UK
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What are the signs and symptoms<br />
of diabetes?<br />
The common symptoms of diabetes<br />
•Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.<br />
•Being frequently thirsty.<br />
•Feeling more tired than usual.<br />
•Losing weight without trying to.<br />
•Genital itching or thrush.<br />
•Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.<br />
•Blurred vision.<br />
Although the majority of people with Type 1<br />
diabetes are diagnosed in childhood and early<br />
adulthood, the symptoms are the same at any age.<br />
Why does diabetes create these symptoms?<br />
These symptoms occur because some or all of the<br />
glucose stays in the blood, and isn’t being used as<br />
fuel for energy. The body tries to reduce blood<br />
glucose levels by flushing the excess glucose out of<br />
the body in the urine<br />
If you have any of symptoms of diabetes, you<br />
should contact your GP. It doesn’t necessarily mean<br />
you have diabetes, but it’s worth checking – early<br />
diagnosis, treatment and good control are vital for<br />
good health and reduce the chances of developing<br />
serious complications.<br />
Complications of Diabetes<br />
If diabetes is not treated, it can lead to a number of<br />
other health problems.<br />
High glucose levels can damage blood vessels,<br />
nerves and various organs. Even a mildly raised<br />
glucose level that doesn't cause any symptoms can<br />
have long-term damaging effects.<br />
Heart disease and stroke<br />
If you have diabetes, you're up to five times more<br />
likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.<br />
Prolonged, poorly controlled blood glucose levels<br />
increase the likelihood of narrowing of the blood<br />
vessels, where the blood vessels become clogged<br />
up and narrowed by fatty substances. This may<br />
result in poor blood supply to your heart, causing<br />
angina, which is a dull, heavy or tight pain in the<br />
chest. It also increases the chance that a blood<br />
vessel in your heart or brain will become blocked,<br />
leading to a heart attack or stroke.<br />
Nerve damage<br />
High blood glucose levels can damage the tiny<br />
blood vessels in nerves. This can cause a tingling or<br />
burning pain that spreads from fingers and toes up<br />
through your limbs. It can also cause numbness,<br />
which can lead to ulceration of the feet.<br />
If the nerves in digestive system are affected, you<br />
may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or<br />
constipation.<br />
Diabetic retinopathy<br />
Diabetic retinopathy is when the retina, the lightsensitive<br />
layer of tissue at the back of the eye,<br />
becomes damaged. Blood vessels in the retina can<br />
become blocked or leaky, or can grow haphazardly.<br />
This prevents light fully passing through to your<br />
retina. If it isn't treated, it can damage your vision.<br />
Annual eye checks are usually organised by a<br />
regional photographic unit. If significant damage is<br />
detected, you may be referred to a doctor who<br />
specialises in treating eye conditions<br />
(ophthalmologist). The better you control your<br />
blood glucose levels, the lower your risk of<br />
developing serious eye problems.<br />
Kidney disease<br />
If the small blood vessels of your kidney become<br />
blocked and leaky, your kidneys will work less<br />
efficiently. It's usually associated with high blood<br />
pressure, and treating this is a key part of<br />
management.<br />
In rare, severe cases, kidney disease can lead to<br />
kidney failure. This can mean a kidney replacement,<br />
treatment with dialysis or sometimes kidney<br />
transplantation becomes necessary.<br />
Foot problems<br />
Damage to the nerves of the foot can mean small<br />
nicks and cuts aren't noticed and this, in<br />
combination with poor circulation, can lead to a foot<br />
ulcer. About 1 in 10 people with diabetes get a foot<br />
ulcer, which can cause a serious infection.<br />
If you have diabetes, look out for sores and cuts that<br />
don't heal, puffiness or swelling, and skin that feels<br />
hot to the touch. You should also have your feet<br />
examined at least once a year.<br />
If poor circulation or nerve damage is detected,<br />
check your feet every day and report any changes to<br />
your doctor, nurse or podiatrist.<br />
Sexual dysfunction<br />
In men with diabetes, particularly those who smoke,<br />
nerve and blood vessel damage can lead to erection<br />
problems. This can usually be treated with<br />
Sept - Oct <strong>2016</strong> <strong>Ansaruddin</strong><br />
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