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    High blood sugar can be a silent killer, don’t ignore these 5 red flags!

    blood sugar symptomsiStock
    High blood sugar (most commonly known as diabetes) is one of the most well-known ‘silent killers’ existing today.
    Too much of anything bad news. Even if it is something as sweet as sugar.

    High blood sugar (most commonly known as diabetes) is one of the most well-known ‘silent killers’ existing today. There is no permanent cure for this lifestyle disease. However, if left unchecked, this insidious health condition can wreak havoc on our health and shorten the patient’s lifespan to a great extent by making them vulnerable to a host of illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and even certain types of cancer.

    India, The Diabetes Capital
    India has the dubious honour of being the Diabetes Capital’ of the world, as it is home to 17 per cent of the world’s total number of diabetes patients. According to a Times of India report, there are currently 80 million people diagnosed with diabetes in India, and this figure is expected to grow to 155 million by 2030.

    Why High Blood Sugar Is A Serious Health Issue
    If left unchecked, high blood sugar (also known as hyperglycaemia) can cause health complications such as :

    • Pancreatic damage: Diabetic patients may suffer from a dysfunctional pancreas. This affects their metabolism and can also shorten their life span.
    • Pancreatic cancer: A study found that about 25 per cent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were also diagnosed with diabetes, months earlier.
    • Heart disease: This is no doubt one of the deadliest consequences of leaving your blood sugar levels unchecked.
    • Diabetic ketosis: In advanced stages of diabetes, the patient may experience ketosis - a coma-like condition, that occurs when the body needs to break down fat as a source of energy.

    Symptoms:

    Dry, Itchy Skin
    Suffering from a nagging itch that never seems to stop? Dry, flaky skin that never goes away? This may be a red flag that your blood sugar levels are out of control.

    Rashes & Blisters
    Diabetic patients also suffer from low immunity, which leads to slow healing. Moreover, diabetic people are also vulnerable to a yeast-like infection called Candida Albicans. This infection causes rashes under moist parts of the body such as underarms, groins, etc.

    Light Brown Patches On Skin
    Also known as diabetic dermopathy, these patches tend to be light brown and often resemble sun spots. These occur as high blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels.

    Poor Vision
    Worsening vision can be another major red flag for diabetic patients.

    Increased Urination
    Do you need to visit the bathroom more frequently than before? This can be a warning sign.

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