Find out how to control your blood sugar and prevent complications!

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by increased blood glucose levels, which can lead to serious health complications. To better understand how diabetes affects the body, it is important to first understand what glucose is and what its role is in the body.

Glucose is a type of sugar that is produced naturally in the body and is used as an energy source by cells. In order for glucose to be used by cells, it needs to enter cells through the action of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. In diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it efficiently, which leads to a buildup of glucose in the blood.

Diabetes can be divided into two main types: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, leading to a lack of this hormone in the body. Type 2 diabetes is more common and occurs when the body cannot use insulin efficiently, leading to resistance to the action of this hormone.

What happens to glucose in diabetics?

In diabetics, glucose in the blood is not utilized properly by the body’s cells, which leads to an accumulation of glucose in the blood. This excess glucose can cause damage to the body’s organs and tissues over time if not properly controlled. When blood glucose levels are too high, the kidneys cannot properly filter it and it is eliminated in the urine.

Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, tiredness, weight loss for no apparent reason, and blurred vision. If not treated properly, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney disease, and foot and leg problems.

What are the effects of glucose?

Glucose is an essential substance for the human body, being the main source of energy for the brain, muscles and organs. It is a type of sugar found in many foods such as fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates such as rice, bread and pasta. After eating these foods, glucose is absorbed from the intestines and enters the bloodstream, where it is transported to the body’s cells to be used as fuel.

1. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease: When blood glucose levels are high, it can damage your arteries and increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as coronary artery disease and stroke.
2. Nerve damage: Elevated blood glucose can damage the body’s nerves, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet. This condition is known as diabetic neuropathy.
3. Kidney problems: High blood glucose can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, causing diabetic kidney disease. If not treated properly, it can lead to kidney failure.
4. Vision problems: High blood glucose can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, causing diabetic retinopathy. If not treated properly, it can lead to vision loss.

What dangerous low glucose level?

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop below normal, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, sweating, hunger and mental confusion. Glucose levels considered low vary according to the clinical context, age and health conditions of the person. However, it is generally considered hypoglycemia when capillary blood glucose is below 70 mg/dl.

In some cases, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases, hypoglycemia can occur even with slightly higher glucose levels, such as below 80 mg/dL. Therefore, it is important that hypoglycemia is diagnosed and treated early to avoid serious complications.

What does the person feel when diabetes is high?

When blood glucose is high, the body can suffer damage to different organs and systems, especially when this occurs recurrently and out of control. Complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathies and kidney problems are common in people with diabetes.

• Fast and deep breathing
• Fruity smell on the breath
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Eat (in severe cases)

What controls blood glucose?