Experts refer to diabetes as a “silent killer”—an ominous label, for sure, but definitely not an exaggeration. Caused by chronic high blood sugar due to the inability of the body to use or produce insulin (the hormone that converts food to energy), diabetes can have no obvious symptoms for many years. When signs do appear, however, they put you at risk for certain diseases or leave you with irreparable damage.
“Diabetes impacts our body literally from head to toe,” says Jimmy B. Aragon, MD from the Diabetes Care Center of top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “That’s why we always advocate for early detection, so treatment can begin before the effects become irreversible.”
Long-term exposure to blood sugar damages our blood vessels, which leads to a host of complications, some of them life-threatening:
Cardiovascular disease. “People with diabetes are more at risk of getting a stroke and heart attack,” reveals Dr. Aragon. “Damaged blood vessels become stiff and develop plaque, hampering oxygen and blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart.”
Visual problems. “Damaged blood vessels in the eyes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that blurs vision and could progress to blindness,” shares Dr. Aragon. “Cataracts or a cloudiness in your eye’s lens and glaucoma or the damage of an optic nerve are also traced to diabetes.”
Kidney disease. “When high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels and filters of the kidneys, it impairs the kidneys’ ability to filter out toxic waste from our system,” says Dr. Aragon. “The kidneys’ impaired function may eventually lead to dialysis or a kidney transplant.”
Neuropathy. Nerve damage due to high blood sugar usually presents itself in the legs and feet. “The sensation is one of pins and needles,” explains Dr. Aragon. “It could also manifest as numbness, and the loss of feeling makes you unaware of injuries on your feet.” People with diabetes are also known for their slow-healing wounds in the feet—a result, yet again, of damaged blood vessels and poor circulation.
A frequent need to pee, dry skin, fatigue, and unquenchable thirst are other signs of diabetes.
Managing blood sugar is the first step to controlling diabetes. “The two most common tests to check for diabetes are Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1c,” says Dr. Aragon. “The former measures blood sugar after eight hours of fasting, the latter measures your average blood sugar levels in the last 2-3 months.” Type 2 diabetes (wherein the body cannot make insulin or is resistant to it) is the more common form of disease, while type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disorder that attacks the cells that make insulin) is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Aim for a normal fasting blood sugar between 70 and 100 mg/dl (or (3.9 and 5.6 mmol/L). “You’re considered prediabetes if your blood sugar runs from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L). A result of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher means you have diabetes,” reminds Dr. Aragon.
Medications are available to either lower blood sugar levels or aid the body in using insulin more effectively. MakatiMed also shares some simple lifestyle changes to keep blood sugar within normal levels.
Dr. Aragon advises replacing carbs with low-glycemic whole grains and fiber, and hydrating with water, not sugary drinks, to manage blood sugar. The doctor also recommends staying active. Even a 30-minute walk after meals helps lower blood sugar and aids weight loss for better overall health.
Given that people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing serious foot problems, Dr. Aragon stresses moisturizing and cleaning feet, and wearing socks to prevent sores. Diabetes also affects many of our organs, so the expert emphasizes the importance of monitoring any changes not only with your blood sugar but with your eyes, kidneys, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
“Diabetes doesn’t have to be your ‘silent killer,’” asserts Dr. Aragon. “With your doctor’s guidance and your compliance, you can live a full and active life and do what non-diabetics can do, within healthy limits, of course.”