AND THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes is associated with a range of serious complications, including blindness and amputations. Here, we explain why.

THE HEART

HIGH blood sugar levels can nearly double the chances of a heart attack or stroke, compared to somebody with healthy readings, says the British Heart Foundation.

This is because it damages the inner walls of the arteries by interfering with the release of nitric oxide — a gas produced by all cells in the body — that keeps blood vessels stretchy and elastic so blood flows through them freely.

With too little nitric oxide, arteries become stiff and narrow, forcing up blood pressure, which can lead to inflammation. This, in turn, makes it more likely that plaques will form, blocking blood supply to the heart or brain — and potentially triggering a heart attack or a stroke.

THE EYES

JUST as high blood sugar damages major blood vessels around the heart, it does the same to tiny ones at the back of the eye that supply nutrients to the retina — the area responsible for converting light into signals sent to the brain.

High sugar levels start to cause inflammation inside these tiny blood vessels, which can block them completely or weaken them so they start to leak — reducing healthy blood flow to the retina.

The body’s natural healing response is to form scar tissue and grow new blood vessels. But these often grow randomly and over the surface of the retina. In time, the combination of scar tissue and new blood vessels leads to severe vision loss. It causes around 1,200 cases of blindness every year in the UK.

THE FEET

LOWER limb amputations due to type 2 diabetes are at a record high. This is because persistently high blood sugar levels can damage nerves. As a result, patients can suffer an injury but not know about it. High blood sugar also triggers a cocktail of harmful reactions; the immune system, sensing damage, despatches excessively large amounts of cells called cytokines to patch things up. But this ‘rush’ of too many cytokines also harms the nerves. The other problem is excess sugar reduces blood flow by damaging blood vessel walls. This means wounds can be starved of the oxygen they need to heal. As a result, an undetected injury can become infected or ulcerate, potentially leading to gangrene and amputation. Diabetic foot ulcers affect around 15 per cent of those with the condition.

THE KIDNEYS

KIDNEY disease is probably one of least known complications, but as many as one in four adults with diabetes will have it, according to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The main job of the kidneys is to filter waste and extra water out of the blood; they also help control blood pressure and make vital hormones.

Very high blood sugar levels block the tiny filters inside the kidney’s blood vessels.

If blood sugar levels are well managed, the damage can be controlled. If not, it gradually gets worse and some patients end up on dialysis.