Why you must watch out for high blood glucose

A middle-aged woman who was losing weight despite feeding well. On being investigated, her blood glucose levels were found to be very high. Later, she revealed that she was a diabetic. Since she was feeling well, she had stopped taking insulin on her own. Since then, she never bothered to get tests done either. Few people who are diabetic realise the risks of uncontrolled high blood glucose levels. Kidneys are one of the body parts to be damaged early by high blood glucose levels present over a time. Gradually, their function is deranged, leading to kidney failure, an irreversible condition. Heart is another part affected by high blood glucose levels. Uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Blood supply to heart is reduced due to fat deposit in inner walls of blood vessels ,leading to chest pain on exertion. Cardiac failure can also occur. High blood glucose makes one more susceptible to strokes. High blood pressure is a common morbidity with diabetes and the two form part of metabolic syndrome that is again a strong risk factor for coronary artery disease. Uncontrolled diabetes with high blood glucose levels can damage the eyes, making a person virtually blind. Retina (part of the eye over which image is focused) is affected early in diabetes, which results in a person seeing spots and halos in front of eyes. Cataracts appear in eyes much earlier in a diabetic and in more severe form. The nervous system is also not spared by uncontrolled diabetes. Peripheral nerves supplying the limbs are affected in diabetes over time even when blood glucose is good. This manifests as uncomfortable tingling, numbness, among other abnormal sensations. Damage to the involuntary nervous system causes impotence, alteration in bowel habits and syncope. Apart from these complications, a person with high blood glucose levels develops weakness and starts losing weight. This occurs because body is not able to utilise the available glucose level efficiently. Obesity, use of alcohol, mental and physical stress are factors which contribute to these problems. Poor compliance with dietary measures, lack of physical exercise and poor compliance with medicines also prevent control of blood glucose. Therefore, once one is diagnosed to be having diabetes, they should be vigilant to keep the blood glucose levels within normal limits. It is important to follow the dietary restrictions, as a healthy nutritious sugar free diet helps much in bringing down blood glucose levels. Regular physical exercise is useful in maintaining ideal body weight and also keeping blood glucose levels within normal limits. This occurs because exercise helps to burn the blood glucose. One should try to do regular physical exercise. It is equally important to be regular with the treatment prescribed. Regular monitoring of blood glucose helps the dose of drugs or insulin to be adjusted to optimal level as per requirement of patient. If possible, one can keep a glucometer to monitor blood glucose levels at home. This also helps in adjusting dose as per dietary indiscretion, stress or any life style changes. A diabetic can lead a good quality life as any other person, only the blood glucose levels have to be kept under control. Dr Pande is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital