4 Ways Diabetes Affects Your Overall Health
Diabetes is a progressive disease that requires daily attention, so it doesn’t spiral out of control. That kind of vigilance can often be exhausting. At Clifton Foot & Ankle Center, we provide expert diabetic foot care to our patients who need it.
Unfortunately, people with Type 1 diabetes had no say about getting their disease – it’s an autoimmune condition. However, you can control whether you get Type 2 diabetes. We encourage our patients to do everything they can to steer clear of it – especially those with prediabetes. Here are four compelling reasons why:
- Nerve damage. Nerves send signals to the brain that allow you to see, feel, hear, breathe, and move your muscles. High blood sugar – the hallmark of diabetes – damages nerves everywhere, blocking those signals and resulting in blurred vision, retinal damage and other eye issues, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, foot weakness, numbness, tingling, or pain.
- Circulatory system damage. High blood sugar also does a number on your blood vessels, creating blockages that make it harder for blood to flow where it’s needed. Unfortunately, the feet tend to suffer since they’re so far from the heart. The heart may be pumping fine, but blood can’t get through the “highways” to your feet. Eventually, high blood sugar can damage the heart as well. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease or stroke.
- Vulnerability to other health problems. Scientists have recently concluded that a COVID-19 infection poses a much higher risk of serious illness or death to someone with diabetes. High blood sugar dampens the body’s immune response, so you’re more severely affected by infections when you have diabetes.
- It’s expensive. Even if you’ve got good health insurance, the ancillary costs of treating diabetes can add up. You may need numerous supplies: overlay patches to keep a glucose monitor in place, testing strips, syringes, glucose tablets, diabetic shoes, diabetic socks, and more. The emotional costs can also be high, with some diabetics suffering from fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
Talk to your doctor to learn about your risk of developing diabetes. Our board-certified podiatrist, Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM, is another excellent source of information for anyone worried about diabetes and their feet. Call us in Centreville (Fairfax County), Virginia at (703) 996-3000 or contact us online.