If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can become a serious and complex health issue, causing severe and debilitating health issues, including damage to organs and even leading to death. The longer it is left untreated, the more likely it is to lead to serious health complications.
The most common long-term complications of diabetes are cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attack or stroke; nerve damage, which often leads to an increase in pain due to nerve pain (neuropathy); kidney damage, which can lead to kidney failure; eye damage, which can lead to vision loss and blindness; skin infections, which can lead to skin ulcers and tissue death; foot problems, which can lead to amputations; and Alzheimer’s disease, which is associated with type 2 diabetes.
In addition, having type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including pancreatic, breast, colon and endometrial cancers.
In order to minimize the risk of developing any long-term complications associated with type 2 diabetes, it is important to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range through lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet, being regular with exercise, managing stress and maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition, individuals with type 2 diabetes should receive regular medical care from a physician and should be aware of any changes in their blood sugar levels, blood pressure and other vital health indicators.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment of type 2 diabetes is the key to preventing serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
What problems can develop if type 2 diabetes goes undiagnosed for a long time?
If type 2 diabetes remains undiagnosed for a long time, the lack of treatment can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, foot and eye damage, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Undiagnosed diabetes can also cause issues with blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, leading to hyperglycemia. High blood sugar levels can also cause excessive thirst, increased urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
In addition, long-term undiagnosed type 2 diabetes can lead to an increased risk for certain types of cancers, such as breast and colon cancer. If left untreated for a longer period, diabetes can cause loss of vision, foot problems, and even death.
Overall, the lack of treatment for type 2 diabetes for a long period of time can lead to serious health problems, so it is important to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
What happens if type 2 diabetes is left untreated?
If type 2 diabetes is left untreated, it can cause serious and long-term damage to many parts of your body. This can range from nerve and kidney damage to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
In the long-term, high levels of glucose can damage your organs and cause complications like vision loss and kidney failure. Not only is diabetes devastating to your physical health, but it also can have a profound effect on your emotional and psychological well-being.
Anxiety, stress, and depression are common issues faced by people with diabetes, as managing their health can be a major burden. Additionally, if left untreated, diabetes can result in an increased risk of foot ulcers and amputations due to poor circulation and lower extremity nerve damage.
It is very important to take diabetes seriously and follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment, monitoring, and managing lifestyle changes to help you live a healthier life.
What are risks of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes?
If left undiagnosed, type 2 diabetes can lead to a variety of serious health problems. Some of the risks associated with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes include:
1. Damage to Blood Vessels: When unchecked, type 2 diabetes leads to damage to small and large blood vessels. This damage can lead to serious heart and organ problems, including heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure.
2. Neuropathy: Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is another common side effect of type 2 diabetes that is not often detected in its early stages. The high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can cause nerve damage in the hands, feet and other parts of the body.
This can cause pain and numbness and can lead to limb amputations if left untreated.
3. Skin Problems: Diabetes can also affect the skin, leading to a variety of different problems. For example, people with type 2 diabetes may develop “diabetic dermopathy,” which is a form of skin scarring.
Additionally, type 2 diabetes increases a person’s chances of developing skin infections and ulcers.
4. Gastroparesis: Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach muscles become weak and the stomach empties itself more slowly than normal. This can lead to digestion issues, abdominal pain, bloating, and poor nutrient absorption.
Overall, it is incredibly important for those at risk of type 2 diabetes to get diagnosed and monitored for the condition. If left untreated, the long-term effects of type 2 diabetes can be incredibly dangerous.
What problems can undiagnosed diabetes cause?
Undiagnosed diabetes can have serious short-term and long-term consequences. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, people can suffer a variety of health problems, some of which can be life-threatening.
In the short-term, if left untreated, the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can cause frequent urination and dehydration, leading to excessive thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Additional symptoms may include blurry vision, increased infections, and cuts and bruises that are slow to heal.
In the long-term, if diabetes is not managed and treated properly, complications can arise, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, kidney disease, and even death. Over time, people with poorly-controlled diabetes, or diabetes left undiagnosed, are much more at risk for complications.
In order to reduce the risk of health problems, it is important to be aware of diabetes symptoms and see a doctor for regular check-ups. Even people without known risk factors for diabetes should understand their risk and get tested if needed.
What can happen if diabetes goes untreated for a long period of time?
If diabetes is left untreated for a long period of time, the individual may experience a wide range of short-term and long-term health complications. Some of the immediate health concerns that may arise are dehydration, weight loss, and fatigue.
In the long-term, however, the risk of developing serious complications like cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage increases significantly. High blood glucose can damage the small blood vessels that nourish vital organs and can even lead to vision loss.
Furthermore, individuals may also be at increased risk of developing skin and mouth infections due to poor circulation. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical treatment and manage diabetes through lifestyle modifications such as healthy eating, regular physical activity, proper medication, and regular monitoring.
What long term complication can type 2 diabetes cause?
Type 2 diabetes can cause a number of long-term complications, including problems with the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. The most common long-term complications of type 2 diabetes include stroke, heart disease and kidney disease.
People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience strokes because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels which can lead to clots forming and traveling to other parts of the body. High blood sugar levels can also harm the heart by damaging the arteries and increasing a person’s risk of a heart attack or heart failure.
This risk is even greater if a person has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other heart disease risk factors. People with type 2 diabetes are also at higher risk for kidney damage because high blood sugar can make the kidneys work harder and reduce their ability to filter waste from the body.
Prolonged high blood sugar can also reduce the ability of the kidneys to remove excess potassium from the body, leading to problems with heart rhythm, which can cause sudden cardiac death. Finally, people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to suffer from eye and vision problems, such as glaucoma, retinopathy and cataracts.
These can lead to significant vision loss and blindness.
How long can you live with untreated diabetes type 2?
Living with untreated type 2 diabetes can be dangerous, and is not recommended. Without necessary treatments, the complications of diabetes can be debilitating and even life threatening. The physical, emotional and financial costs of diabetes are high and they can have a negative impact on quality of life.
However, there are many people who have lived for many years without any significant medical interventions.
Living with type 2 diabetes without treatment for a long time can cause a variety of health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, nerve damage and even amputations. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to a thickening of the walls of the arteries, which increases the risk of developing clots and strokes.
High blood sugars can also damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.
Without treatment, life expectancy for a person with type 2 diabetes can be significantly lowered. They will, however, be at higher risk of developing long-term complications, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, amputations and nerve damage.
The severity of the complications depend on how long the diabetes has gone untreated, and how well the person manages their blood sugar levels.
It is important to know that treatment options exist, which can make a difference in how long a person lives with type 2 diabetes. With regular monitoring and the right treatments, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of developing long-term complications and may be able to improve their overall quality of life.
What are the mental symptoms of untreated diabetes?
The mental symptoms of untreated diabetes can range from mild to serious and can vary from person to person. Common mental symptoms associated with diabetes include confusion, depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and difficulty thinking or concentrating.
In more severe cases, some may experience severe bouts of confusion and disorientation, impaired judgment and difficulty communicating. Memory problems and difficulty speaking and forming words are also potential symptoms.
Other potential mental symptoms associated with untreated diabetes include paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, and changes in personality.
People with diabetes are also at an increased risk for developing psychiatric and cognitive disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder and dementia. A person with diabetes may also experience changes in his or her behavior, as well as fluctuations in mood and appetite.
Untreated diabetes can lead to a variety of mental and physical health problems, including hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and kidney disease. It is important to closely manage blood sugar levels, visit your doctor regularly, stick to treatment plans, and take any medications as prescribed.
How does untreated diabetes make you feel?
Untreated diabetes affects the body in many different ways. It can cause a wide range of symptoms and issues, both physically and emotionally. Those suffering from untreated diabetes may experience feelings of fatigue, nausea, dizziness, confusion, blurry vision, headaches, and frequent urination.
An inability to concentrate, excessive thirst, and hunger are also common. In extreme cases, untreated diabetes can lead to ketoacidosis, a condition in which the blood becomes too acidic, and power outages in the body.
Such power outages can lead to coma or even death. Emotionally, people with untreated diabetes may experience irritability, depression, low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety. It is also important to understand that the potential effects of untreated diabetes don’t just lie within the physical.
It can often cause strain on relationships, financial struggles, poor performance at work or school, and overall impaired quality of life.
Can Type 2 diabetics live to 90?
The short answer to this question is yes, it is possible for type 2 diabetics to live to 90 years of age. This is because it is a manageable chronic condition and with proper care and lifestyle management, many people with type 2 diabetes are able to live full and healthy lives.
Research has suggested that the long-term complications of type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed and prevented with good self-care, medication and health professional support. For example, a few good lifestyle practices and proactive health care can lower the risks of developing heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, and blindness.
Having type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean that you can’t live a long life, and it is an encouraging thought to know that with the application of healthy habits, monitoring of blood sugar levels and adherence to a health plan prescribed by your health care team, you can realistically strive for a full expectancy of 90 years or even more.
Everyone has a different goal for health and we must all take the steps to help reach these. Seeking prevention and early detection services, developing a good lifestyle with nutrition, physical activity and quality sleep, and closely following your doctor’s advice and blood sugar management plan, will increase your chances of reaching 90 years old and beyond.
What is the most common cause of death in diabetes?
The most common cause of death in diabetes is cardiovascular disease. This is due to the fact that people with diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease.
Additionally, people with diabetes have an increased risk of stroke, as the condition can cause blockages in the arteries. Diabetes can also increase the risk of other medical complications that could lead to death, such as kidney disease, which can result in kidney failure.
Furthermore, diabetes can also cause mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which can lead to an increased risk of suicide.
Can you live with diabetes without medication?
Yes, it is possible to live with diabetes without taking medication, although it is much more difficult to do so. Although diabetes is a very treatable condition, it is also a chronic illness that requires ongoing management.
Without medication, people with diabetes must carefully monitor their blood sugar levels up to six times per day and make lifestyle changes to keep them within the target range. This includes following a healthy eating plan, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels.
In addition, if glucose levels are too high, people with diabetes must inject insulin or use an insulin pump to keep their levels regulated. Without medication, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing serious health complications, such as nerve damage, heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and amputations.
Therefore, it is important to discuss all potential treatment options with your healthcare provider to determine the best plan for you.
Is diabetes Type 2 a terminal illness?
No, diabetes Type 2 is not a terminal illness. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t properly use the insulin it produces. With proper management, including lifestyle changes and medication, individuals living with type 2 diabetes can live long and healthy lives.
However, complications from Type 2 diabetes can be serious, including eye and kidney problems, heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage. Though the complications can be serious, the key is early detection and treatment.
With proper medical care and lifestyle changes, people with type 2 diabetes can live for many years and can even reduce their chances of complications.
How long can you have type 2 diabetes without knowing it?
It’s possible to have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing it, as the symptoms can be quite mild at first or may not even be present. Some people may never experience any of the common symptoms at all.
Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to preventing long-term complications, so it’s important to get tested if you are at risk for diabetes or if you think you may be developing symptoms. Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include feeling very thirsty, going to the bathroom more frequently than usual, having blurry vision, feeling tired, losing weight without trying, cuts or bruises that are slow to heal, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor to get tested for diabetes.