With the onset of winter, a lot of health problems tend to arise. As the temperature drops, atmospheric pressure goes down and bodies start going to “energy saving mode” as a primal survival instinct, everyone’s health is adversely affected. However, people with severe and chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, should be on higher alert.

Diabetes is an illness that needs to be kept under check for several reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that sugar levels tend to be erratic and even the smallest of changes can lead to significant damage. Diabetes control should become a top priority during colder days. Diabetic people are more likely to have high blood glucose levels in the winter than in the summer. As the temperature decreases and sugar levels rise, diabetes patients should be especially cautious of temperature swings or seasonal changes. The cold weather causes various health difficulties for diabetics, in addition to causing a significant fluctuation in blood sugar for diabetes.

Let’s look more closely at the critical relationship between the winter season and diabetes, and how people with high blood glucose levels may stay healthy in the coming months.

DIABETES AND WINTER

The following are the most dangerous consequences that diabetes people may experience throughout the winter.

1. Change in hemoglobin levels

Diabetes is identified more frequently in the winter months than in the summer months, according to studies, since people with diabetes have higher HbA1c values during this season. The seasonal variation in hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell counts appears to be due to temperature and not relative humidity. This difference is evident in every gender, race, age, and diabetes severity category.

The hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test measures the amount of blood sugar attached to your hemoglobin that “is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. It is an important blood test that gives a good indication of how well your diabetes is being controlled.”

This difficulty in obtaining correct blood test results during the winter months can be problematic, as frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels is critical for diabetics. This is especially true for people on insulin or at risk of acquiring dangerously low blood glucose levels. Diabetes control is, therefore, important and should be done with blood sugar control. Doctors will be unable to change his prescriptions to keep his blood glucose levels within the recommended range if the patient does not exercise blood sugar control. Similarly, he will be unable to recognize and control low glucose levels, which can lead to major problems such as loss of consciousness or seizures if left untreated.

2. Increased Stress Levels

The chilly weather puts the body under extra effort, leading it to release stress chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones induce your liver to produce more glucose for energy, resulting in an increase in blood sugar levels. Blood sugar control is key and getting frequent blood sugar tests is important.

These stress hormones are also secreted more quickly during illness or infection, which is prevalent throughout this season. When the body is exposed to an illness, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released, reducing the efficacy of insulin – the hormone responsible for decreasing glucose levels. This causes elevated glucose levels, which may be difficult to return to normal.

3. Increased Risk of Disease

Our immune system is mostly impacted by lifestyle factors such as poor food habits, a lack of physical activity, a lack of sleep, and a stressful work environment. It is also heavily affected by changes in the weather. This is why your immune system frequently struggles throughout the winter.

When the weather is warm and windy, the body gets languid and lethargic, resulting in a weak immune system. Winter also brings with it a slew of viruses, illnesses, and allergies. It is critical to focus on improving your white blood cell count and preparing more antigens in the body to fight various illnesses, making you stronger, healthier, and more active to enjoy the chilly but cozy weather.

4. Mental Health problems

Physical health is not the only thing that takes a hit when the colder season arrives. With lesser sunlight and lower outdoor activity, winter blues may have a heavy impact on your lifestyle.

People with seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder fall prey to this but diabetes also plays a major role in affecting mental health during winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a kind of depression that is produced by a change in seasons, most notably when autumn arrives. This seasonal depression worsens in the late autumn or early winter before subsiding in the warmer days of spring.

A milder variant, known as “winter blues,” also exists. It’s common to feel sad during the winter months. Due to less sunshine in winter, the brain produces lesser serotonin, a neurotransmitter connected to brain circuits that control mood. When nerve cell connections in the brain that govern mood do not function properly, it can lead to feelings of sadness as well as weariness and weight gain. Diabetes worsens the problem tenfold.

5. Nervous System Problems

Diabetes can cause many neurological diseases which may become worse in the cold. Diabetes control may require additional support. Other issues include:

• Nerve ache

If you have nerve pain, you will notice that the temperature affects your symptoms. This is due to the neurological system’s reaction to temperature variations. If the temperature is too high, you may feel weary and sluggish; if it is too low, you may experience more discomfort.

• Muscle tenseness

If you have multiple sclerosis or suffer from spasticity, cold temperatures can trigger muscular rigidity and spasms.

• Loss of sensation

Most diabetic people are unaware of their nerve functions and are unable to feel the difference between cold and hot water, which can lead to burns. During the winter season, most diabetic patients tend to lose feeling in their toes and feet due to vascular changes

• High blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure or vascular difficulties, you should avoid being out in the cold for lengthy periods of time and make sure your home is warm enough.

HELPFUL TIPS

So, it’s winter outside, there are fewer hours of sunlight, and you’re sick of dealing with diabetes. The cold weather encourages you to move less and consume more. What now?

Here are a few tips to keep the winter blues away!

1. Warm your body up.

Exercise reduces blood sugar, improves insulin utilization, keeps you warm, and can even enhance your mood.

There are several methods to be active without leaving your house. Try yoga, going up and down the stairs, dancing, or cleaning your room. Warm up your muscles, cleanse your mind, and reduce your blood sugar by exercising them.

2. Take good care of yourself

Diabetes is more difficult to manage while you are ill. If you have a cold, virus, or flu and develop ketones, make sure to stick to your sick day restrictions. If ketones persist, consult us at Radiance Hospitals.

3. Keep a good diet

Count your carbs, eat healthier foods, increase your protein and fiber intake and control your sugar and fat intake. Try not to order food from outside. Stews and soups with lots of nutritious veggies can help keep you warm and are often healthy choices. Excessive indulgences linked with the holiday and festive seasons should be avoided.

4. Don’t forget to medicate

Take your medications regularly. Be careful about your insulin doses and timings. Regularly conduct blood sugar tests to know your dosages and meals.

5. Keep your Spirits Up!

It might be more challenging to keep in touch with friends throughout winter. Spending time with people can help you beat the winter blues, even if it requires a bit extra work. Invite a friend. Simply conversing can improve your mood and make you feel less lonely.

Despite your best efforts, the winter blues can set in and leave you feeling gloomy. We all have terrible days, but if you are feeling “blue” for an extended period of time, you should seek professional treatment.

You should also be on the lookout for the following depressive symptoms:

• Being exhausted (more than usual).
• Having difficulty concentrating on chores.
• A shift in eating habits.
• Irritability or moodiness.
• Feeling stressed and/or guilty.
• Craving solitude
• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that you formerly loved.

6. Regular checkups

You cannot exaggerate how essential regular checkups are in winter. Even on your own, you need to conduct more blood sugar tests and diabetes tests in general. But coming down to our center is highly recommended so we can stay up-to-date.

Maintaining blood sugar control will help you through the harsh winter. Following the ideas above of being active, counting carbohydrates, and remaining connected with people can help keep your body and mind healthy all winter – and throughout the year!

With Radiance Hospitals, you are not braving the winter alone. We will be with you till the end of the line. Make sure you get more checkups and stay updated on your health during these days. Book an appointment with us to stay on top of your health.

Time and time again you have probably read that diabetes is a dangerous disease and can have severe health effects. You may even have read a list of those complications. However, it is rare that people explain why the complications arise in the first place- apart from just saying it’s high sugar- and how to prevent those complications from arising.

Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose in the blood. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the body’s organs. Possible long-term effects include damage to large, i.e. macro vascular and small i.e. micro vascular blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and problems with the kidneys, eyes, gums, feet and nerves. Here is how it all works.

POSSIBLE DANGERS CAUSED BY DIABETES

There are two types of dangers that can arise out of Diabetes. The first are long-term dangers or chromic complications while the second may arise at any time without any warning signs called acute complications.

CHRONIC COMPLICATIONS

These are long-term issues that can emerge gradually and cause extensive damage if left unregulated and ignored.

Eye Problems

Diabetes-related eye complications include:

1. Retinopathy

This occurs when blood vessels in the retina get damaged, resulting in visual loss. There are several phases of retinopathy. Because there are generally no symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, getting a comprehensive diabetic eye exam is vital for detecting it early. Regular eye exams aid in the detection of abnormalities and enable early treatment, if necessary, to prevent additional harm.

2. Macular oedema

The macula is a region of the retina that aids with vision. This region can swell when the blood arteries in the retina are injured, causing fluid to accumulate. This can damage the macula and cause vision to become hazy. There is treatment available but early detection is important.

3. Cataracts

These occur when the lens of the eye gets clouded, causing vision to become blurry, distorted, or prone to glare. Diabetes can cause cataracts to form at a younger age than normal glaucoma – the pressure of the fluid within the eye gets up to a greater level than is healthy. Over time, this pressure might cause damage to the eye. Glaucoma can develop in persons with and without diabetes, however, it is more prevalent among diabetics.

While most persons with eye injury have no symptoms in the early stages, some symptoms may arise and require immediate attention. See one of our diabetes experts with a specialization in eye care right away if you get flashes of light, floaters, blots, and spots, or if part of your vision is gone.

Foot issues

With diabetes, foot issues are dangerous and, if left untreated, can lead to amputation. Nerve damage can impair feeling in your feet, and high blood sugar levels can impair circulation, causing sores and wounds to heal more slowly. When the blood flow in both major and tiny blood vessels is diminished, the feet of a diabetic are in danger of harm. Nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy is common, and foot structural issues, such as clawed toes, can also develop.

Reduced blood flow and nerve function can cause recovery to be delayed, raise the risk of infection, decrease sensation in the feet, and lead to ulcers and structural foot issues.

Stroke and heart attack

When you have diabetes, having high blood sugar levels over an extended length of time might damage your blood vessels. Diabetes increases your chances of having high blood pressure, putting additional strain on your heart.

High blood glucose levels can lead to the production of fatty deposits in the walls of blood vessels. It can hinder blood flow and raise the risk of atherosclerosis, or blood vessel hardening, over time.

Diabetes doubles your risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Healthy eating habits and regular exercise, in addition to monitoring and maintaining your blood glucose levels, can help minimize your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

If you smoke and are at risk of diabetes, you should think about stopping. Smoking raises your chances of developing cardiovascular issues and restricts your blood flow. This can result in heart attacks and strokes.

Kidney issues (nephropathy)

Diabetes can develop kidney damage over time, making it more difficult to eliminate excess fluid and waste from your body. Excessive blood sugar levels and high blood pressure are to blame. Diabetic nephropathy, often known as kidney disease, is the medical term for this condition.

Nerve Damage (neuropathy)

Some diabetics may experience nerve damage as a result of problems from high blood sugar levels. This can make it more difficult for nerves to transport signals between the brain and every region of our body, affecting how we see, hear, move or feel.

Nerve injury (neuropathy) is generally induced by high blood glucose levels, although it can also be caused by:

Vitamin B12 deficiency – long-term use of the diabetic medicine Metformin (over three to five years) might raise the risk of vitamin B12 insufficiency. This may be tested for by your doctor.

Sensory (feeling) and motor (movement) nerves in the legs and feet, arms, hands, chest, and stomach, as well as nerves that govern the movements of bodily organs, can be damaged.

Gum disease and other oral health issues

Too much sugar in your blood might cause an increase in sugar in your saliva. This introduces bacteria, which creates acid, which affects tooth enamel and harms gums. The blood vessels in your gums can also be compromised, increasing the likelihood of gum infection.

Cancer and other related diseases

Diabetes increases your chance of acquiring some malignancies. Furthermore, certain cancer therapies might have an impact on your diabetes and make it more difficult to maintain your blood sugar.

Skin Issues

Diabetes can cause dehydrated skin owing to damage to the tiny blood vessels and nerves. Diabetes patients frequently experience very dry skin on their feet.

There are other skin disorders associated with diabetes. High blood glucose levels might have an effect on skin health over time. Because the skin serves as a barrier to protect our bodies from infection, it is critical to keep it as healthy as possible. When the skin becomes dry, it can break and become infected.

Sexual issues

In women, damage to blood vessels and nerves can reduce the quantity of blood travelling to your genital organs, causing some sensation to be lost. Diabetic women are also more prone to urinary tract infections.

Meanwhile, it also leads to male sexual dysfunction. The quantity of blood travelling to male sexual organs may be reduced, making it difficult to become aroused. It can cause erectile dysfunction, often known as impotence.

Infections

Your immune system aids in the prevention and treatment of infection. High blood glucose levels limit the activity of white blood cells, which aid in the fight against infection. The immune system’s ability to function is hampered as a result.

Diabetes and the thyroid

Thyroid illness is more common in people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. This encompasses both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Thyroid issues can have a negative impact on overall health and blood glucose levels.

A blood test is used to evaluate thyroid function. Check with your doctor to discover whether your thyroid function has been examined.

Mental health issues

Living with and controlling diabetes, whether Type 1 or Type 2, can cause stress, worry, and melancholy. This can have an impact on your blood glucose levels as well as how you manage your diabetes in general. This might have an effect on your health over time.

If you are experiencing stress, sadness, or anxiety, it is critical that you consult with your doctor.

ACUTE COMPLICATIONS

These can occur at any time and can result in chronic or long-term consequences.

• Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are abnormally low.
• Hyperglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are abnormally high.
• Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) is a potentially fatal condition that only affects patients with type 2 diabetes. It is caused by acute dehydration and extremely high blood sugar levels.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially fatal condition caused by a lack of insulin and excessive blood sugar levels.

SOLUTION

While developing a better lifestyle is ideal, it is often necessary to go with surgery for better and long-lasting results. Almost all people who have diabetes surgery– also known as metabolic surgery for diabetes or bariatric surgery- see an improvement in their diabetes, often as soon as a few days following surgery. They have lower blood sugar levels, use fewer diabetic medicines, and have fewer diabetes-related health concerns. Overall, 78% of patients achieve remission, removing the need for diabetic medicines.

Diabetes surgery today has significantly developed over the last 70 years and is one of the finest researched therapies in contemporary medicine. The procedures undergone in metabolic surgery for diabetes result in reduced food consumption which means fewer calories consumed. Most crucially, diabetes surgeries alter metabolism, affecting intestinal hormones that govern blood sugar management, frequently before the patient loses any weight.

Furthermore, metabolic surgery for diabetes reduces appetite, boosts the feeling of fullness after meals, and helps the body attain a healthy weight. Diabetes surgery is not only the most effective treatment for diabetes, but it also significantly improves obesity and other related problems.

Radiance Hospitals will be there for you to the very end. You will be given a food and exercise plan, and your doctor will walk you through each stage. This is your fight, but we can help you plan your approach. You will never be standing alone with us.

We wish you the best of luck on your adventure to a healthier future!