[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Americans have worried a lot about COVID-19 for the past few years – and rightfully so. But an arguably even bigger long-term threat to their health remains quietly on the march.
Around 37.3 million Americans – 11.3% of the population – have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease remains undiagnosed in 8.5 million of these people.
Many
millions more are at risk. About 96 million adults – or 38% of the population – has prediabetes. Nearly half -- 48.8% -- of Americans 65 and older have prediabetes.
These grim statistics should raise alarm bells, because diabetes can be deadly. In fact,
it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Overlooked side effects of diabetes
You might not be aware of the many ways in which diabetes can harm your health. Here are 11 overlooked side effects of having the disease:
Skin on your neck might grow darker
A condition known as acanthosis nigricans can cause the skin on your neck – and sometimes on your groin and armpits – to darken and become velvety or thicker.
It results from high levels of insulin triggering skin cells to reproduce more quickly.
Breath can smell like nail polish remover
Having diabetes can result in a buildup of ketones in your blood. Although this is more likely for people with type 1 diabetes, it also happens to those who have type 2 diabetes and develop a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
As the level of ketones increases, the result can be the smell of acetone in your breath, which resembles nail polish remover.
Memory and mental health issues might surface
Diabetes can impede blood flow to the brain, which can cause memory problems. In some cases, other mental health issues might emerge.
For example, having diabetes can leave you distressed and feeling stigmatized, says Janice Baker, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.
It also can result in feelings of guilt and shame, and may lead to eating disorders.
“These issues can cause as much damage to health as the other impacts,” Baker says.
Vision might deteriorate
High levels of blood sugar – a condition known as hyperglycemia – can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Over time, this can lead to blindness.
Around
7.7 million Americans have diabetic retinopathy, and it is the leading cause of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Vulnerability to blackouts and falls increases
Those who have diabetes also are subject to blood sugar levels that are dangerously low, a condition known as hypoglycemia.
This is most likely to happen when too much insulin or other diabetes medications cause blood sugar levels to drop, or when you do not eat enough after taking diabetes medication or exercise more than usual.
Hypoglycemia can lead to “blackouts, falls, auto accidents, irritability and excessive hunger, among other impacts,” Baker says.
Infections can take hold more easily
Diabetes can weaken the immune system, as the excess sugar in your blood hampers white blood cells from moving.
This leaves you more vulnerable to infections ranging from vaginal and yeast infections to bladder and skin infections. It also can prevent adequate wound healing, which can lead to amputations if things get especially bad.
Hearing loss might occur
Just as diabetes damages blood vessels in the eyes, it can also harm vessels and nerves in the ear. This can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
Oral health can decline
Because diabetes hampers the immune system, your gums might become inflamed and cells around the teeth might begin to decay.
“Periodontitis and gingivitis are more likely with high blood glucose levels,” Baker says.
She notes that this can even lead to loss of teeth and gum issues that can make it more difficult to maintain good nutrition practices.
Damaged nerves can affect your hands and feet
High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This is especially likely in the hands and feet. In a worst-case scenario, it can lead to amputation.
Damaged nerves can also produce itching throughout your body.
Heart disease becomes more likely
Diabetes often leads to high blood pressure, with about two-thirds of diabetes patients developing this condition, according to the American Diabetes Association.
In addition, insulin resistance can increase the level of cholesterol in your blood.
Both of
these changes raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Kidney disease can develop
When blood sugar is out of control, it damages the kidneys, which lose their ability to filter. This can lead to the need for dialysis or even a kidney transplant.
There are many other ways diabetes can impact your health, including:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Sexual dysfunction
How to prevent diabetes
The many ways diabetes damages your health underscore the importance of lowering your risk of being diagnosed with the disease.
Regular health checkups and diabetes screenings are among the best ways to detect diabetes before it advances, Baker says.
“The
signs and symptoms of diabetes can often go unnoticed for a long time while damage is taking place,” she says.
Review your family history with your doctor or other health care provider. “Genetics can be an important risk factor, as well as a history of gestational diabetes,” Baker says.
Lifestyle changes also are crucial to lowering your risk of diabetes. For example, you should eat regular, healthy meals and snacks, including plenty of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables,
beans, legumes and
whole grains.
“There is no one perfect way of eating for everyone, and avoidance of fad diets and weight cycling is also important for overall health,” Baker says.
If you need help crafting a more healthful diet, consider
consulting with a registered dietitian or diabetes care and education specialist who can give you individual and personalized advice on nutrition and meal planning, she adds.
Additional steps you can take to lower your risk of being diagnosed with diabetes are:
- Getting plenty of activity and movement
- Avoiding smoking
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