Type 2 diabetes can be incapacitating, or “disabling”. What are the possible serious risks of diabetes?
Hyperglycemia (a condition in which blood sugar is consistently too high) can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In this condition, blood glucose and acid levels are so high that they can be life-threatening and can also cause damage to:
- Heart;
- Intestines;
- Brain.
This problem may also lead to mood disorders or eating disorders.
High blood sugar can also become chronic, which can cause serious problems with nerves or blood vessels that can affect the following areas:
- Heart;
- Intestines;
- Brain;
- kidneys;
- Eyes.
It can also lead to:
- depression;
- Anxiety;
- skin infections;
- Blood flow problems that may lead to amputation.
At the other extreme, hypoglycemia (a condition in which blood sugar is consistently too low) can lead to seizures or affect mental status.